1995-2000 Ford Contour Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our in-depth review covers everything you need to know about this generation Ford Contour. Get the latest news, find a local dealer, and get a free price quote for this generation Ford Contour.

1995-2000 Ford Contour Review

Ford's latest rival to the Honda Accord and other compact and mid-size sedans replaced the Tempo. Mercury offers a similar 4-door sedan, called Mystique. Both were based on the European Ford Mondeo. Contour came in GL, LX, and sporty SE price levels. Dual airbags were standard. Antilock brakes and traction control (which works at all speeds) were optional on all models. Bumpers that withstand a 5-mph impact are a bonus. Base engine was a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, producing 125 horsepower. Standard on the SE and optional on the others was a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter V6. Both engines were available with 5-speed manual shift or an optional electronic 4-speed automatic transmission.

Year to Year Changes

1996 Ford Contour: To improve rear-seat space, backs of the front seats were scooped out, yielding an extra inch of leg room. During the 1996 model year, rear seat cushions were repositioned to produce a little more leg and head space. Chrome bumper strips were dropped. A Contour Sport model debuted in April 1996 in standard GL or upscale LX series.

1997 Ford Contour: A new lower-priced base model debuted later in the 1997 model year. Traction control was dropped, but antilock braking remained available separately. All models added a standard trunk light and tilt steering wheel.

1998 Ford Contour: Ford dropped the Base and GL and added a high-performance SVT model. The SVT used the 2.5-liter V6 engine but in 195-horsepower tune. Five-speed manual was the only transmission, and the SVT also added antilock brakes, sport suspension, larger tires, and other goodies. All Contours got a new center console with armrest.

1999 Ford Contour: For '99 Contour shed the base and GL models, leaving only the LX, SE, and SVT editions. LX and SE models got more sporting suspension settings, and all models got a slightly larger fuel tank.

2000 Ford Contour: Only a single Sport model remained for 2000, with features that had been optional on the SE, including a 170-horsepower V6. The high-performance SVT could still be obtained through selected Ford dealers.

1995-2000 Ford Contour Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration (V6)	Engine noise (4-cylinder)

Steering/handling	Rear-seat room

Automatic-transmission performance	Radio controls

Optional antilock brakes and traction control

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

Smooth, responsive, and lively in acceleration, the 170-horsepower V6 is more than adequate for all ordinary driving situations. During testing, a V6 Contour accelerated to 60 mph in 9.3 seconds. The 190-horsepower SVT engine is even more powerful, but you really have to work the transmission to get the extra power. By contrast, the noisy 4-cylinder engine feels sluggish when going uphill and requires a heavy throttle foot for brisk acceleration. A V6 Contour with automatic averaged 21.7 mpg. Under similar conditions, the 4-cylinder with automatic did only a little better: 23 mpg, to be exact. Road noise has been prominent on all models. Precise steering, sporty handling, and a firm ride make a Contour feel more German than American. Most road-testers praised the sporty SE, in particular, for its fun-to-drive qualities, though a few were less enthusiastic about its ride quality. Front leg room is ample, but back-seat space for adults is barely adequate in 1995 Contours. That shortage of space was slightly improved in '96 models, but remains a drawback. Head room is generous in front and adequate in back. The modern, attractive dashboard is well-designed, but the stereo has too many small buttons that are difficult to decipher. Large gauges are easy to read. The climate system is controlled by three rotary dials that are clearly labeled and easy to use.

Value for the Money
Ford took a huge step forward in performance, refinement, and overall execution with its compact sedan. All told, Contour is a formidable rival to Japanese compacts and to the Chrysler Cirrus and Dodge Stratus.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Ford Contour SE auto	Rating

Performance	4

Fuel Economy	6

Ride Quality	4

Steering/Handling/Braking	6

Quietness	4

Controls/Materials	4

Interior Room	5

Room/Comfort (rear)	3

Cargo Capacity	4

Value within Class	5

Total:	45

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.

1995-2000 Ford Contour Reliability

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Automatic transmission: The transmission may go into limp-in mode due to a faulty manual lever position sensor. (1995)

Brakes: Ice in the parking brake cables will not allow the parking brake to release or release fully. (1995-97)

Dashboard lights: A slipping drive belt causes a lack of power steering and the charge warning light to glow. A new belt, idler pulley, and a splash kit are needed. (1995-97)

Engine misfire: Lack of acceleration in below 32 degrees Fahrenheit on the 2.5-liter engine is often due to ice on the throttle plate. A revised engine computer prevents the problem. (1995)

Engine temperature: Engine overheating on 2.5-liter engines may be due to broken plastic water pump impeller blades. (1995-2000)

Heater core: Installing a restrictor in the heater inlet hose may repair heater cores leaks. (1995-2000)

Steering problems: If the steering wheel vibrates while idling with the transmission engaged and the A/C running, the steering mass damper, airbag module, and radiator mounts must be replaced. (1995-97)

Transmission leak: Transmission fluid may leak from the vent hole of automatic transmission. A revised vent tube is available. (1995-96)

Transmission noise: Gear clash going into third on the manual transmission can be remedied by a rebuilt input gear shaft and a new shift fork. (1995-97)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.


Item Name	Repair Cost

A/C Compressor	$360

Alternator	$455

Automatic Transmission or Transaxle	$800

Brakes	$290

Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing	$750

Constant Velocity Joints	$465

Radiator	$345

Shocks and/or Struts	$345

Shocks and/or Struts	$700

Timing Chain or Belt	$175

NHTSA Recall History

1995: Front-seatbelt anchor tabs may be cracked.

1995: Fuel-tank filler reinforcement can leak.

1995: If right rear-door window breaks, glass fragments will exceed allowable size.

1995: Metal shield on plastic fuel-filler pipe can develop static charge during refueling; could serve as ignition source.

1995: Passenger-airbag's inflator body is cracked and may not inflate properly.

1995-96 w/V6: Tightening of the engine-cooling fan-motor bearings can result in increased motor torque and higher than normal motor current and accompanying high motor temperatures.

1995-96 w/traction control: Throttle cables were damaged during assembly, leading to fraying or separation; could prevent engine from returning to idle.

1995-98: Automatic-transmission control can be damaged if subjected to certain interior cleaning products; gear indicator can deteriorate and incorrectly indicate actual gear position.

1996: Fuel-filler-pipe vent hose may have less than intended level of ozone resistance, which could result in brittleness and cracking.

1996-97 w/bi-fuel engine: If natural-gas fuel line is damaged in a collision, gas leakage could occur.

1996-98 w/o ABS: Pressure reducing valve in rear brakes may be subject to corrosion, which could result in malfunction when operated in areas that use salt compounds for deicing or dust control.

1996-98: An open circuit in the wiring harness could lead to electrical arcing that could melt the connector housing material, increasing the potential for a fire.

1996-98: Overheating at headlamp and wiring-harness terminals could result in open circuit for instrument lights, parking lamps, and taillamps.

1998: Accelerator cable may have burr that could fray the core wire; cable could stick, bind, or cause high engine rpm.

1998: Airbag-sensor wiring insulation can become brittle and crack over time; could cause airbag warning light to illuminate and disable airbag system.

1998: Front coil springs may fracture as a result of corrosion in high corrosion environments.

1998: Text and/or graphics for headlamp aiming instructions, provided in owner guides, are not sufficiently clear.

1999 w/automatic transmission: Ignition key can be rotated to "Lock" position and removed, without shift lever being in "Park" position.

2000 w/ABS: A pressure-conscious reducing valve in the rear brakes may corrode and malfunction, locking rear wheels and adversely affecting handling.

2000: Brake performance may be reduced due to incorrect power brake booster and master-cylinder assembly.

2000: Fuel leak could result from a damaged fuel-tank-filler pipe grommet.

2000: Improper label was installed on some cars, with incorrect instructions for activation of childproof safety locks.

2000: Seatbelt-buckle assemblies were not properly heat treated and do not pass the load-bearing requirement.

1995-2000 Ford Contour Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

1995
Contour	$1,300-1,700	$800-1,100	$200
Contour SE	$1,500-1,900	$1,000-1,200	$200

1996
Contour	$1,500-1,900	$1,000-1,200	$200
Contour SE	$1,700-2,100	$1,100-1,400	$300

1997
Contour	$1,700-2,200	$1,100-1,500	$300
Contour SE	$2,000-2,400	$1,400-1,700	$300-400

1998
Contour	$1,900-2,400	$1,300-1,700	$300-400
Contour SE	$2,200-2,700	$1,600-1,900	$400-500
Contour SVT	$2,700-3,400	$2,000-2,600	$600-700

1999
Contour	$2,200-2,800	$1,600-2,000	$400-500
Contour SE	$2,500-3,000	$1,800-2,200	$500-600
Contour SVT	$3,200-3,800	$2,500-3,000	$800-1,000

2000
Contour	$2,600-3,200	$1,900-2,400	$500-700
Contour SVT	$3,800-4,500	$3,100-3,700	$1,200-1,400

This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:

Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.

Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.

Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.

1995-2000 Ford Contour Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	106.5

Overall Length, in.	183.9

Overall Width, in.	69.1

Overall Height, in.	54.5

Curb Weight, lbs.	2769

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	13.9

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	14.5

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	39.0

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.4

Rear Head Room, in.	36.7

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	34.3

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

Base engine was a 125-horsepower, 2.0-liter dual-overhead-cam 4-cylinder. Standard on the SE and optional on others: a 170-horsepower, 2.5-liter dual-cam V6, with four valves per cylinder. Contours could have a standard 5-speed manual transmission or optional 4-speed automatic. Ford added a 195-horsepower version of the V6 in 1998. It came with the 5-speed manual.

Engines	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	Consumer Guide Observed

dohc I4	2.0 / 121	125	130	5-speed manual: 24/34 4-speed automatic: 23/32	5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: 21.7

dohc V6	2.5 / 155	170	165	5-speed manual: 21/31 4-speed automatic: 21/30	5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: 23

dohc V6	2.5 / 155	195	165	5-speed manual: 20/29	5-speed manual: 24.3

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	1999 Contour

Front Impact, Driver	5

Front Impact, Passenger	4

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Built In: Mexico, USA

Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

< 1995-2000 Ford Contour Photos

1995-2000 Ford Contour Local Listings >

Also in the 1995-2000 Ford Contour Review:

Ford Contour

Ford Contour Road Test

Ford Contour Reliability

Ford Contour Prices

Ford Contour Specs & Safety

Ford Contour Photos

Ford Contour Full Review