IllustrationBLOWER MOTOR FAILURE. THE BLOWER CONTROLS THE DEFROSTER AND HEATER. THE FAILURE RESULTS IN FOG, FROST ETC SO VISIBILITY IS GREATLY LIMITED. IF ONE CAN SEE WELL AN ACCIDENT IS POSSIBLE. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Contour years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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
Visibility complaints
41 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CONTOUR. THE HEATER FAN MOTOR FOR THE DEFROSTER FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAN SWITCH FAILED AND WOULD COST $58 TO REPAIR. THE DEALER KEPT CHANGING THE DIAGNOSIS UNTIL THE CONTACT SPENT $271; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS STILL NOT REPAIRED. NHTSA C…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CONTOUR. THE HEATER FAN MOTOR FOR THE DEFROSTER FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAN SWITCH FAILED AND WOULD COST $58 TO REPAIR. THE DEALER KEPT CHANGING THE DIAGNOSIS UNTIL THE CONTACT SPENT $271; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS STILL NOT REPAIRED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01I009000 (VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM: WINDSHIELD: CONTROLS/WIRING) WAS REFERENCED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PASSED THE TEN YEAR FREE PERIOD. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 131,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
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 BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE I…
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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 BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE IS THE GAS FUMES WHICH IS LEAKING THEREFORE LEAVING POISONOUS CARBON MONOXIDE FUMES COMING IN THROUGH THE HEATER VENTS. THESE HARSH CHEMICALS ARE DAMAGING TO THE LUNGS, BRAIN, RESPIRATORY SYSTEM AND ITS MAKING CONSUMER VERY TIRED AMONG OTHER SYMPTOMS. *TT
RUSTING WINDSHIELD FRAMING. *BF CONSUMER WORRIED ABOUT THE WINDOW BLOWING OUT. *TC
THIS CAR HAS LESS THAN 70000 MILES ON IT. WE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE FUEL DOOR, FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, BRAKES, DOOR HANDLES, TRANSMISSION, ELECTRIC WINDOWS, AND NOW AS A SPECIAL TREAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THIS CAR HAS BEEN THE WORST INVESTMENT THAT MY WIFE AND I HAVE EVER MADE. I HAVE HAVE OWNED SEVERAL CARS AND TRUCKS WITH 200000 PLU…
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THIS CAR HAS LESS THAN 70000 MILES ON IT. WE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE FUEL DOOR, FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, BRAKES, DOOR HANDLES, TRANSMISSION, ELECTRIC WINDOWS, AND NOW AS A SPECIAL TREAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THIS CAR HAS BEEN THE WORST INVESTMENT THAT MY WIFE AND I HAVE EVER MADE. I HAVE HAVE OWNED SEVERAL CARS AND TRUCKS WITH 200000 PLUS MILES ON THEM AND NONE OF THEM HAVE EVER BEEN AS PROBLEMATIC AS THIS AUTOMOBILE.
PROBLEMS WITH 1996 FORD CONTOUR FRONT BRAKES, TRANSMISSION, FUSE BOX, HEATER BLOWER MOTOR, ELECTRICAL AND STEERING AND SUSPENSION. *MR FOR THE SECOND TIME, THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES MAKING A LOUD RUBBING SOUND, THE STABILIZER BAR WAS REPLACED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING, WATE…
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PROBLEMS WITH 1996 FORD CONTOUR FRONT BRAKES, TRANSMISSION, FUSE BOX, HEATER BLOWER MOTOR, ELECTRICAL AND STEERING AND SUSPENSION. *MR FOR THE SECOND TIME, THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES MAKING A LOUD RUBBING SOUND, THE STABILIZER BAR WAS REPLACED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING, WATER WAS INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT SEALS, WHICH MADE THE LIGHTS VERY DIM, THE SELECTOR MODE SWITCH ON THE HEATER MOTOR BLOWER DID NOT WORK PROPERLY, WHICH MADE THE HEAT NOT WORK AT A 100%. THE UPPER BALL JOINTS, RACK AND PINION AND WHEEL BEARING WERE ALL DEFECTIVE. *JB *NM
HAD RECEIVED SEVERAL RECALLS ON VEHICLE SPRINGS, RECALL 01V230000, AND HEATER BLOWER SENSOR, RECALL 01I009000. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP'S MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES TO HAVE REPAIRS DONE, EVEN LEFT VEHICLE WITH MECHANIC. RECEIVED CALL TO PICK UP VEHICLE, AND ALSO INFORMED NONE OF THE RECALLS WERE EVER REPAIRED. MECHANIC REFUSED TO …
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HAD RECEIVED SEVERAL RECALLS ON VEHICLE SPRINGS, RECALL 01V230000, AND HEATER BLOWER SENSOR, RECALL 01I009000. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP'S MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES TO HAVE REPAIRS DONE, EVEN LEFT VEHICLE WITH MECHANIC. RECEIVED CALL TO PICK UP VEHICLE, AND ALSO INFORMED NONE OF THE RECALLS WERE EVER REPAIRED. MECHANIC REFUSED TO COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIRS. BRAMVIEW FORD; QUEEN ST; BRAMPTON ONTARIO CANADA; 9054511041. *AK
HAD THE DRIVERS SIDE POWER WINDOW REPAIRED TODAY, AS WELL AS PASSENGER FRONT SIDE WINDOW REPAIRED IN JULY 2002. BOTH WINDOW REGULATORS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $700 FOR BOTH. THE MECHANICS INFORMED ME THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, WHICH WOULD SEEM TO SHOW A MAJOR MANUFACTURER DEFECT. PL…
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HAD THE DRIVERS SIDE POWER WINDOW REPAIRED TODAY, AS WELL AS PASSENGER FRONT SIDE WINDOW REPAIRED IN JULY 2002. BOTH WINDOW REGULATORS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $700 FOR BOTH. THE MECHANICS INFORMED ME THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, WHICH WOULD SEEM TO SHOW A MAJOR MANUFACTURER DEFECT. PLEASE PURSUE A RECALL REPAIR ON THIS VEHICLE SO CUSTOMERS CAN BE PROPERLY COMPENSATED.*JB
ALL POWER WINDOWS ARE OFF TRACK, CONSUMER UNABLE TO PUT WINDOWS DOWN. *AK THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASE. *JG
THE WINDOW REGULATORS ON THE FORD CONTOUR ARE DEFECTIVE. THE MATERIALS USED ARE BEND, CRACK, AND BREAK CAUSING THE WINDOWS TO EITHER FALL INTO THE DOOR, OR TO BECOME STUCK WHEN BEING ROLLED UP OR DOWN. I HAVE REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR REGULATOR 16 MONTHS AGO THINKING THIS WAS A ONE TIME OCCURRENCE BUT NOW FIND THE PASSENGE…
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THE WINDOW REGULATORS ON THE FORD CONTOUR ARE DEFECTIVE. THE MATERIALS USED ARE BEND, CRACK, AND BREAK CAUSING THE WINDOWS TO EITHER FALL INTO THE DOOR, OR TO BECOME STUCK WHEN BEING ROLLED UP OR DOWN. I HAVE REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR REGULATOR 16 MONTHS AGO THINKING THIS WAS A ONE TIME OCCURRENCE BUT NOW FIND THE PASSENGER SIDE ONE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER HAS ADMITTED THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE THE ORIGINAL PARTS FOR THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR IN MY POSITION AND ON INSPECTION IT IS CLEAR TO SEE THAT THE MANUFACTURING OF THE MATERIAL IS FAULTY, UNDER EXTREME STRESS WHICH COULD LEAD TO THE COLLAPSE OF THE ASSEMBLY. THIS OF COURSE WOULD BE A MAJOR CONCERN IF THE WINDOW WOULD COLLAPSE INTO THE DOOR FRAME WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION.
Official recalls
801V230000 · 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
5RQ02006 · 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.