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1996 Ford ContourProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 563 owner complaints about the 1996 Ford Contour, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 8 safety recalls.

46
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.2× the Contour median · #3 of 6 years by complaints
Safety recalls8Free fix at dealersOwner complaints56384 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage81kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 20, 2021. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Ford Contour has problems

563 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling1237
Electrical system11915
Power train771
Exterior lighting643
Service brakes, hydraulic447
Equipment411
Visibility410
Suspension383
Vehicle speed control317
16 other systems16026

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

8 recalls

1996 Ford Contour recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Electrical system

Recall 01V-230 · Jul 9, 2001 · 342,962 vehicles

Risk. THE OPEN CIRCUIT COULD LEAD TO ELECTRICAL ARCING THAT COULD MELT THE CONNECTOR HOUSING MATERIAL CREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 00V-367 · Nov 6, 2000 · 262,559 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components

Recall 00V-075 · Mar 9, 2000 · 436,200 vehicles

Risk. IF BOTH PCRV'S MALFUNCTION, VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED DURING BRAKING AS A RESULT OF THE REAR WHEELS LOCKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Tank assembly: filler pipe and cap

Recall 99V-247 · Sep 13, 1999 · 22,324 vehicles

Risk. A CRACKED HOSE COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING FUELED.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 4 more recalls
–no report yet

Headlights: switch

Recall 99V-103 · May 5, 1999 · 605,581 vehicles

Risk. THE DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN DISTORTION OF THE TERMINAL CAUSING AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION, PARKING LAMP, AND TAIL LAMP CIRCUITS.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

1996 vs. every other Contour year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Contour median. How we score

'95'96'97'98'99'00'01
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1996 Ford Contour safety ratings

1996 Ford Contour 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1996 Ford Contour, and the recalls they led to.

  1. BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESSEA01001 · closed Jul 31, 2001
    Led to recall 01I009000
  2. BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESSPE00023 · closed Jan 5, 2001
    No recall
  3. HEADLIGHT SWITCHPE98063 · closed May 10, 1999
    Led to recall 99V-103
  4. INCORRECT GEAR INDICATIONRQ02006 · closed Sep 12, 2002
    Led to recall 98V-233
  5. VARIOUS INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL ISSUESRQ99019 · closed Mar 7, 2001
    Led to recall 99V-243
In owners' words

What Contour owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, BUT RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED 50000 MILES LATER, BUT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED…
Complaint 10164356 · Aug 3, 2006 · 95,000 miles
CONSUMER REQUEST HELP TO FIX A 1996 CONTOUR. *TS THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED AND IT FAILED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEPT OF MOTOR VEHICLE THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SUBJECT TO AN EMISSION RECALL AS REPORTED BY THE EPA THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO…
Complaint 10161554 · Jun 22, 2006
CONSUMER HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE 1996 FORD CONTOUR.*MR THERE HAS BEEN SO MANY RECALLS ON CONSUMER'S VEHICLE THAT SHE WASN'T AWARE OF BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER NEVER SENT NOTICES. SINCE THEN CONSUMER HAS BEEN PAYING FOR ENTIRE FULL PRICE AND IS ASKING FOR REIMBURSEMENT. HOWEVER, THE…
Complaint 10134493 · Aug 12, 2005

Own a 1996 Contour?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.