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1996 Ford Contour

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Contour years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Ford Contour are substantially higher than the model-year median of 218.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 65 of 563 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 123 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 119 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 77 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

34 crash reports24 fire reports24 injury reports

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

31 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control

ON THE MORNING OF 11/10/2000, I JUST COMPLETED ENTERING THE SOUTHBOUND DALLAS TOLLWAY FROM LEGACY DR. IN PLANO, TX. UPON REACHING CRUISING SPEED, MY VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RACE AT FULL THROTTLE. FORTUNATELY, TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. IN ADDITION TO REMOVING MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR, I TRIED TO APPLY THE…

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ON THE MORNING OF 11/10/2000, I JUST COMPLETED ENTERING THE SOUTHBOUND DALLAS TOLLWAY FROM LEGACY DR. IN PLANO, TX. UPON REACHING CRUISING SPEED, MY VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RACE AT FULL THROTTLE. FORTUNATELY, TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. IN ADDITION TO REMOVING MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR, I TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES GENTLY TO FIND THERE WAS NO POWER ASSIST. I WAS ABLE TO GET MY FOOT UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO INSURE THAT IT WAS NOT STUCK TO THE FLOOR. WITH BOTH FEET AND GREAT EFFORT I WAS ABLE TO APPLY ENOUGH BRAKING FORCE TO SAFELY MANUEVER THE AUTOMATED TOLL GATE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RACE UNCONTROLLABLY AND I EXITED AT THE WEST PARKER ROAD EXIT IN PLANO. THE ONLY WAY I WAS ABLE TO COME TO A STOP AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT I ENCOUNTERED WAS TO SLIP THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL GEAR. AT THAT POINT THE ENGINE WAS SCREAMING, SO I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE ON GREEN AND IT STARTED UP AT FULL THROTTLE. UPON PUTTING THE VEHICLE INTO 'DRIVE', THE TIRES LOST TRACTION AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SPEED ALONG IN A "RUNAWAY" FASHION. I HAD TO PASS THROUGH ANOTHER TRAFFIC LIGHT AND INTERSECTION (WITH THE SAME MANUEVER AS PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED) BEFORE I REACHED A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT (PARKWOOD CENTER, PLANO, TX). AT THIS POINT I TELEPHONED AAA FOR A TOW TO THE DEALERSHIP. WHILE WAITING FOR THE TOW TRUCK, I MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND EACH TIME THE ENGINE RACED AT FULL THROTTLE. THE DEALER EVALUATED THE PROBLEM AS BEING A FAULTY RESONATER ASSEMBLY FOR THE ENGINE AIR INTAKE (ALLEGEDLY A WORN OUT GASKET, WHICH REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE WHOLE UNIT). I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT FORD ENGINEERS WOULD PERMIT THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PRODUCT WHICH HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CREATE SUCH A SERIOUS AND LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION. JUST FOR YOUR INFORMATION, ON ANOTHER MATTER REGARDING THIS VEHICLE, FORD CONTACTED ME DIRECTLY AND REIMBURSED ME $1,000. THIS WAS DURING THE LATTER PART OF 1999.*AK

NHTSA ODI #736263

Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES IN ONE MONTH - ALL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, STARTER, WIRING HARNESS, SPEED SENSOR AND OXYGEN SENSOR WERE ALL CHANGED. THE FORD DEALERSHIP DOES NOT UNDERSTAND WHY I AM HAVING ALL THESE PROBLEMS. IT WAS ALSO IN A GARAGE FIRE AT THE DEALERSHIP IN THIS TIME AND I HAD SMOKE DAMAGE TO …

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MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES IN ONE MONTH - ALL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, STARTER, WIRING HARNESS, SPEED SENSOR AND OXYGEN SENSOR WERE ALL CHANGED. THE FORD DEALERSHIP DOES NOT UNDERSTAND WHY I AM HAVING ALL THESE PROBLEMS. IT WAS ALSO IN A GARAGE FIRE AT THE DEALERSHIP IN THIS TIME AND I HAD SMOKE DAMAGE TO MY CAR ON TOP OF THE ENGINE PROBLEMS. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I LOSS MONEY ON THE TRADE IN. THIS IS THE WORSE CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED AND WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER FORD CAR OR TRUCK AGAIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #731441

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control

ACCELERATOR CABLE BROKE WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK THE VEHICLE HAS STEERING PROBLEM TOO, BUT THE DEALER WOULD NOT FIX IT UNLESS THE OWNER PAYS FOR THE REPAIR. *YH

NHTSA ODI #868466

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2000
SuspensionVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING EXTREME VIBRATION OCCURRED WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN. ALSO, ENGINE IDLED VERY FAST, AND THE VEHICLE JERKED., DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A NORMAL CONDITION. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #861549

Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2000
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

TRANSMISSION DOES NOT RECOGNIZE ANY GEARS. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER & DEALER HASN'T HAD A CHANCE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. VECHICLE IS ALSO IDLEING VERY HIGH. *AK

NHTSA ODI #859308

Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control

ACCELERATOR STICKS AND DRIVER HAS TO PUSH HARD, THEN IT OVERACCELERATES, AND THIS MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF THERE IS SOMEONE IN FRONT. THERE'S TOO MUCH FORCE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #855296

Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING AND BRAKING ENGINE REVVED AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND RUN UP AN A CURB IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #853535

Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 1999
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING AREA THE VEHICLES ENGINE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE UNTIL THE REAR BUMPER STRUCK A LIGHT POLE. DRIVER THEN PLACED THE TRANSMISSION INTO DRIVE AND THE CAR SURGED FORWARD AT AN UNCONTROLLABLY HIGH SPEED, JUMPING THE CURB AND STRIKING A CONCRETE PILLAR, RESULTING IN CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT AREA OF…

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WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING AREA THE VEHICLES ENGINE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE UNTIL THE REAR BUMPER STRUCK A LIGHT POLE. DRIVER THEN PLACED THE TRANSMISSION INTO DRIVE AND THE CAR SURGED FORWARD AT AN UNCONTROLLABLY HIGH SPEED, JUMPING THE CURB AND STRIKING A CONCRETE PILLAR, RESULTING IN CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT AREA OF THE VECHICLE AND BRUISING THE DRIVERS LEFT ARM. PRESSING HARD ON THE BRAKES SEEMED TO HAVE LITTLE OR NO EFFECT. IT APPEARS THAT THE THROTTLE LINKAGE/CRUISE CONTROL OR SOME RELATED MECHANISM MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #714947

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 1999
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

WHILE DRIVING AT 15 TO 20 MPH ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK AND THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL AND HIT AN APARTMENT BUILDING AND THEN A BANK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #850192

Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 1999
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. TRIED TO GO FORWARD, HIT ACCELERATOR LIGHTLY AND DIDN'T MOVE, SECOND TIME, TOOK OFF AND WENT INTO GARAGE. PASSENGER'S MIRROR CAME OFF. DEALER CONTACTED, AND WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. BUT, COULDN'T REMEDY THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #844511

Official recalls

8

01V230000 · Electrical System

Jul 9, 2001

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 ROUGH SURFACE OF THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR'S STAINLESS STEEL BLADES CAN DAMAGE THE COPPER SURFACE OF THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR. THE DAMAGE COULD, OVER TIME, CAUSE INCREASED RESISTANCE IN THE CONNECTOR AND, DUE TO SUBSEQUENT TERMINAL RELAXATION, RESULT IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION.

Consequence & remedy

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

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 SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

00V367000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Nov 6, 2000

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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 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.

00V075000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components

Mar 9, 2000

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 MALFUNCTION, WHEN OPERATED IN AREAS THAT USE SALT COMPOUNDS ON THE ROADWAY FOR DE-ICING OR DUST CONTROL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

99V247000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

Sep 13, 1999

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.

Consequence & remedy

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

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

99V103000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

May 5, 1999

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

Consequence & remedy

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

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

98V233000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

Sep 18, 1998

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INCORRECT GEAR SELECTION.

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

97V225000 · Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Dec 8, 1997

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT THE ENGINE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE.

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

97V203000 · Fuel System, Other:storage

Nov 17, 1997

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 TANK IN THE EVENT OF CERTAIN MODERATE TO SEVERE COLLISIONS. IF THE VEHICLE IS IN A COLLISION AND THE NATURAL GAS FUEL LINE IS DAMAGED, THE SYSTEM COULD LEAK NATURAL GAS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

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. OWNERS ARE BEING ALERTED TO THIS SOLENOID VALVE CONCERN AT THIS TIME. THE TIMING OF CORRECTIVE ACTIONS IS BEING DELAYED TO ALLOW BOTH CONDITIONS TO BE REMEDIED AT ONE TIME. IN THE MEANTIME, THERE IS NOT RISK AS LONG AS THE NATURAL GAS SYSTEM HAS BEEN DISABLED AND THE VHEICLE IS ONLY OPERATED ON GASOLINE.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

5

RQ02006 · Incorrect Gear Indication

Opened Feb 26, 2002 · Closed Sep 12, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train

There is no summary currently available

EA01001 · Blower Switch/resistor Or Wiring Harness

Opened Jan 5, 2001 · Closed Jul 31, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

PE00023 · Blower Switch/resistor Or Wiring Harness

Opened Jun 14, 2000 · Closed Jan 5, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

RQ99019 · Various Intermittent Electrical Issues

Opened Sep 15, 1999 · Closed Mar 7, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other

There is no summary currently available

PE98063 · Headlight Switch

Opened Dec 3, 1998 · Closed May 10, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting

ODI OPENED THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION ON DECEMBER 3, 1989 BASED ON FIVE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, ALL OF WHICH MENTIONED CONCERNS CENTERED ON THE DASHBOARD-MOUNTED HEADLIGHT SWITCH.THESE CONCERNS INCLUDED AN ALLEGATION OF THE SWITCH CATCHING FIRE, AN ALLEGATION OF HEADLIGHT LOSS, AND THREE ALLEGATIONS OF INSTRUMENT PANEL AND TAIL LIGHT OUTAGES.THREE OF THE REPORTS SPECIFICALLY IDENTIFIED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND ITS ASSOCIATED WIRING AS HAVING BEEN HEAT DAMAGED.FORD INVESTIGATIONS HAVE FOUND THAT OVERHEATING OF AN ELECTRICAL TERMINAL AT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH CONNECTOR CAUSES LOSS OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND TAIL LIGHTS.FORD WILL REMEDY THIS CONDITION IN 1996-1998 MODEL CONTOUR AND MYSTIQUE VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM APRIL 20, 1995 THROUGH AUGUST 12, 1998 AND AT THE CAUTITLAN, MEXICO ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM JUNE 13, 1995 THROUGH AUGUST 24, 1998 UNDER RECALL 99V-103.THE REMEDY INVOLVES REPLACEMENT OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH CONNECTOR AND IF NECESSARY, THE SWITCH ITSELF.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS CLOSED.