1996 Ford Contour

◆ Worse than typical
1996 Ford Contour
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Contour Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1996 highlighted. 1993: 3 complaints 1993 1994: 12 complaints 1995: 891 complaints 1995 1996: 563 complaints 1996 1997: 218 complaints 1997 1998: 846 complaints 1999: 419 complaints 1999 2000: 199 complaints 2001: 4 complaints 2001
1996: 563 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19933
199412
1995891
1996563
1997218
1998846
1999419
2000199
20014

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9%

9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 49 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
POWER TRAIN 8%

8% of complaints: power train — 46 distinct reports on file.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 7%

7% of complaints: exterior lighting — 37 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6%

6% of complaints: electrical system — 35 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD FAIL TO START DUE TO A MELTED WIRE IN THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20160510

MY CAR HAD BEEN HAVING MANY ISSUES .FIXING WHAT WE THOUGHT WERE THE PROBLEM WE FOUND THAT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTED TO THE COOLING FAN WAS MELTED AS WELL AS MANY PROBLEMS IN WIRE HARNESSES IN FRONT OF ENGINE..

NHTSA ODI report, 20121031

THE WIRING HARNESS OF MY 1996 FORD CONTOUR CAUGHT FIRE. I HAD PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE IN THE PAST SUCH AS TAIL LIGHT GOING OUT CONSTANTLY AND ALSO HEADLIGHTS, AS WELL AS PROBLEMS WITH THE O2 SENSOR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030607

EQUIPMENT 6%

6% of complaints: equipment — 31 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

1996 — complaint volume: 563
R 19980113 — vehicle speed control

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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE CABLE WITH A REVISED DESIGN THAT IS LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO BENDING OR KINKING DURING INSTALLATION.

Campaign 97V225000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19980209 — fuel system, other

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BI-FUEL VEHICLES MODIFIED TO RUN ON EITHER GASOLINE OR COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG). THE NATURAL GAS FUEL TANKS HAVE A SOLENOID SHUT-OFF VALVE THAT STOPS FUEL FLOW FROM THE FUEL

Remedy: FORD HAS REQUESTED OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES TO HAVE THE CNG FUEL SYSTEM DISABLED UNDER A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN AND TO ONLY USE GASOLINE FUEL UNTIL A PERMANENT CORRECTIVE ACTION IS DEVELOPED. OWNER

Campaign 97V203000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19981120 — power train

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 DETERIORAT

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL.

Campaign 98V233000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19981203 — PE (closed 19990510)

HEADLIGHT SWITCH

R 19990716 — exterior lighting

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TERMINALS AT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN EXPERIENCE HEAT DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF OVERHEATING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLAMP SWITCH WIRING CONNECTOR CONTAINING BRONZE TERMINALS AND AN INSPECTION, AND REPLACEMENT IF NECESSARY, OF THE HEADLAMP SWITCH.

Campaign 99V103000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19990915 — RQ (closed 20010307)

VARIOUS INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL ISSUES

R 19991011 — fuel system, gasoline

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FUEL FILLER PIPE VENT HOSE MAY HAVE LESS THAN THE INTENDED LEVEL OF OZONE RESISTANCE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE HOSE BECOMING BRITTLE AND CRACKING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUEL FILLER VENT HOSE CONTACTING THE APPROPRIATE BLEND OF PVC AND NITRILE RUBBER.

Campaign 99V247000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20000614 — PE (closed 20010105)

BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS

R 20001011 — service brakes, hydraulic

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). A PRESSURE CONSCIOUS REDUCING VALVE (PCRV) IN THE REAR BRAKES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CORROSION AND RESULT IN

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL IMPROVED PCRV'S IN THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS RECALL WAS EXPANDED IN SEPTEMBER 2000 TO INCLUDE 1999 AND 2000 FORD CONTOUR, MERCURY MYSTIQUE AND COUGAR VEHICLES.

Campaign 00V075000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20010105 — EA (closed 20010731)

BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS

R 20010205 — engine and engine cooling

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 INC

Remedy: 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 1

Campaign 00V367000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010829 — visibility

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1995-1997 FORD CONTOUR AND MERCURY MYSTIQUE V

Remedy: FORD WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE HEATER BLOWER SWITCH FOR 10 YEARS FROM ORIGINAL DATE OF SALE OF THE VEHICLE OR 150,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW

Campaign 01I009000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010829 — electrical system

ON CERTAIN MY 1996-1998 PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY, CUAUTITLAN ASSEMBLY PLANTS OR ON MY 1999 PASSENGER VEHCLES BUILT AT THE AUTOMOTIVE ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY PLANTS, THE RO

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR AND A NEW WIRE JUMPER HARNESS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 29, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON S

Campaign 01V230000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20020226 — RQ (closed 20020912)

INCORRECT GEAR INDICATION

R 20060320 — service brakes, hydraulic

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAN

Remedy: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-32

Campaign 06E022000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20080522 — suspension

FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WIT

Remedy: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.

Campaign 08E033000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1996 Ford Contour — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (49 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (46 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (37 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 97V225000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V203000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V233000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V103000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V247000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V075000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V367000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01I009000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V230000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E022000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08E033000 (suspension) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2000 ▲ 1997 ● 1999

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ■ 1998 ● 1999

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1996 Ford Contour reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Ford Contour is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Ford Contour?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, accounting for 9% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1996 Ford Contour have?

11 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.