1995 Ford Contour Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Problem: Vehicle description: 1995 passenger vehicles equipped with the 2.0l and 2.5l engines, and 1996 vehicles equipped with 2.5l engines. Tightening of the engine cooling fan motor bearings, up to and including motor stall, can result in increased motor torque and higher than normal motor current and accompanying high motor temperatures.

Risk: Overheating of the cooling fan motor due to excessive current can result in smoke and odors from bearing grease, insulation and other internal motor components. If electrical current continues to be applied to the motor, internal motor components could ignite possibly igniting other engine compartment components.

Fix: Dealers will install a positive temperature coefficient device in-line with each fan motor. Ford will also extend the warranty on the engine cooling fan assembly to a total of 8 years of service or 100,000 miles from the warranty start date, whichever occurs first. If the vehicle already has more than 100,000 miles, this coverage will last until july 31, 2001.

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The floor shift automatic transmission control can be damaged if subjected to certain interior cleaning products. The gear position indicator can deteriorate and not correctly indicate the actual gear position.

Risk: This condition can result in incorrect gear selection.

Fix: Dealers will replace the automatic transmission floor shift control.

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with the traction control option. The throttle cables were damaged during vehicle assembly leading to fraying or separation of the throttle cable.

Risk: This condition could prevent the engine from returning to idle.

Fix: Dealers will replace the throttle cable with a revised design that is less susceptible to bending or kinking during installation.

Problem: The fuel tank filler pipe opening reinforcement, constructed from two separately molded pieces, can leak at the weld.

Risk: Fuel leakage can result in a fire.

Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel tank assemblies with units containing one-piece molded reinforcements.

Problem: Cracks have been found in the front safety belt outboard anchor tabs due to a combination of hydrogen embrittlement of the tab and stress introduced during attachment of the anchor tab to the seat frame. This does not conform with the requirements of fmvss no. 210, "seat belt assembly anchorages."

Risk: Consequence of non-compliance: a fracture or separation in this area would reduce the load that the anchor and the front safety belt anchorages could sustain, increasing the risk of injury in a vehicle collisoin.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and install an anchor tab reinforcement or replacement of the complete front seat belt assembly if an anchor tab is found to have fractured.

Problem: The glass tempering process on the right hand rear door windows was not correctly performed. This does not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 205, "glazing materials."

Risk: Consequence of non-compliance: if the window breaks, the glass fragments of the rear windows exceed the size specifications of fmvss no. 205.

Fix: Dealers will replace the right rear door glass.

Problem: The fuel tank filler pipe opening reinforcement can leak at the weld.

Risk: Fuel leakage can result in a fire.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and, as appropriate, replace the fuel tanks.

Problem: A metal shield on the outside of the plastic fuel filler pipe can develop a static electrical charge during refueling of the vehicle.

Risk: A static charge can discharge and serve as an ignition source for fuel vapors in the area of the filler pipe, resulting in a flash vapor ignition and a vehicle fire.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, modify the vehicles by adding a ground strap between the filler pipe shield and the body.