1996 Ford CONTOUR problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
354 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
91,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 65 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 32 of 354 complaints (9.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 51 | 14.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 34 | 9.6% |
| Braking behavior | 31 | 8.8% |
| Engine operation | 27 | 7.6% |
| Steering behavior | 13 | 3.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 2.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 32 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 29 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 27 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 19 |
| Unknown Or Other | 17 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 15 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 14 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch | 14 |
Electrical System: 32; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 29; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 27; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 19; Unknown Or Other: 17; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 15; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 14; Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch: 14
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 14 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 14 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 24 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 14; 75,000 to 99,999: 14; 100,000 to 149,999: 24; 150,000 and above: 5
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (24). 289 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 2 |
| 1996 | 15 |
| 2000 | 84 |
| 2001 | 95 |
| 2002 | 47 |
| 2003 | 29 |
| 2004 | 26 |
| 2005 | 19 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
1995: 2; 1996: 15; 2000: 84; 2001: 95; 2002: 47; 2003: 29; 2004: 26; 2005: 19; 2006: 7; 2007: 6; 2008: 5; 2009: 5; 2010: 3; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2013: 2; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 51 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 34 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 31 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000197 · 2002-12-17 (December 17, 2002)
HEADLIGHT SWITCH TERMINALS AND WIRING HARNESS TERMINALS EXPERIENCED HEAT DAMAGE. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, TAIL LIGHTS AND PARKING LIGHTS FAILED. ROBIN FORD DEALER, 100 N. MCDADE BLVD, GLENOLDEN, PA INDICATED THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THE 96 FORD CONTOUR BUT MY VIN DOES NOT APPLY TO THE RECALL. MY VIN IS [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000197 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016135 · 2003-04-17 (April 17, 2003)
THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SYMPTOMS OF RECALL 01-V-230-0000. RECALL DEESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ROUGH SURFACE OF THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR'S STAINLESS STEEL BLADES CAN DAMAGE THE COPPER SURFACE OF THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10016135 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000682 · 2003-01-02 (January 2, 2003)
TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED REPEATEDLY EVEN AFTER COMPLETE REBUILD. HAVE ALSO HAD TREAD SEPARATION IN TIRES ON 5 SEPARATE OCCASIONS
Owner-reported narrative. 128,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000682 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10048678 · 2003-11-24 (November 24, 2003)
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 PINI…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10048678 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000717 · 2003-01-03 (January 3, 2003)
THE CALIPERS ON THE FRONT DISK BRAKE SYSTEM TEND TO WANT TO ROLL INWARD OFF OF THE ROTORS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE TO DATE. VEHICLE: 1996 FORD CONTOUR
Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000717 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023505 · 2003-06-21 (June 21, 2003)
THE PARKING BRAKE WOULDN'T RELEASE. WE TOWED THE CAR TO MIDAS. THE INSPECTION IDENTIFIED NORMAL BRAKE WEAR, BUT ALSO SERIOUS FRONT END DEFICIENCIES. THE MANAGER TOLD US BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN AND HAD BEEN BROKEN FOR SOME TIME, CAUSING ONE STRUT TO BEND. HE SAID HAD THE SECOND STRUT BENT OR BROKE, THE CAR BODY WOULD HAVE DROPPED DOWN ONTO THE TIRES. HE SAID THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 78,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023505 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016965 · 2003-05-03 (May 3, 2003)
WHILE NORMALLY DRIVING AT 35 MILE'S PER HOUR, THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLED. 10 MINUTES LATER STARTED NORMALLY. JUST IN CASE I TOOK THE CAR TO MECHANIC BECAUSE 20 MINUTES LATER I STARTED TO NOTICED AN ODOR, LIKE BURNED PLASTIC. THIS MORNING THE MECHANIC CALLED ME AND ASKED ME TO STOP BY THE SHOP, HE SHOWED ME THE FUSE BOX AND THE ELECTRICAL CABLES (HARNESS) THAT ARE CONNECTED TO THE BOX, 75% OR MORE ARE WITHOUT INSULATION (CRACKED OR THE INSULATION IS GONE). ACCORDING TO HIM I WAS JUST LUCKY, FORD DO NOT OFFER A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL HARNESS AS …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10016965 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10063962 · 2004-03-26 (March 26, 2004)
CAR STALLS OUT WHEN IDLE.CAR STALLS OUT WHEN STARTING OR DRIVING SLOWLY. CAR HAS HAD MANY SENSORS REPLACED INCLUDING THE OXYGEN SENSOR AND IT CONTINUES TO STALL OUT. FORD HAS NOT SATISFACTORILLY REPAIRED CAR AFTER SEVERAL COSTLY VISITS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 56,098 miles reported. Look up ODI 10063962 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10122395 · 2005-05-29 (May 29, 2005)
SHIFT INDICATOR DOES NOT MOVE WHEN CAR IS SHIFTED, DRIVER HAS TO COUNT THE CLICKS TO BE ABLE TO TELL IF THEY'RE IN WHAT DRIVE THEY'RE IN. SAW IT IN A RECALL, TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT MY MODEL ISN'T COVERED IN THE RECALL. AFTER GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY, CAR MADE LOAD MOANING NOISES, ENGINE REVED, RPMS JUMPED AROUND AND CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. STARTED UP RIGHT AFTER. DID NOT TAKE TO GET LOOKED AT. IF THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE IS UNDER 40 DEGREES, THE CAR WILL MOAN LOUDLY, THE ENGINE WILL REV, THE STEERING WILL GO O…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10122395 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10096457 · 2004-10-26 (October 26, 2004)
I HAVE ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE SINCE FEBRUARY 14TH THIS YEAR. I CAN NOT FILL MY GAS TANK ALL THE WAY FULL. IT HAS BEEN LEAKING GAS EVERY TIME I DO. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL TIMES AT DIFFERENT STORES WHEN I GAS UP MY CAR TO SEE IF IT WAS BECAUSE I HAD BEEN PARKED ON AN INCLINE. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF I AM ON LEVEL GROUND IT STILL LEAVES A PUDDLE UNDER MY CAR. IT IS WORSE IF I PARK ON ANYTHING BUT LEVEL GROUND . PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANYWAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10096457 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10143799 · 2005-11-28 (November 28, 2005)
THIS PROBLEM STARTED WAY BACK AT THE DATE BELOW AND I COULD NOT GET FORD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM SO I HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO KEEP THE CAR RUNNING BY ELECTRICAL TAPING THE EXPOSING WIRES. I WONDER WHY AMERCIAN MADE VEHICLES ARE LOOSING TO FOREIGN COMPANIES... SELF EXPLANATORY I THINK. NO PRIDE IN THE AMERICAN WORKER. JUST DO THE JOB AND MAKE LIVING. COMPLAINT IS FORD CONTOUR GL ENGINE WIRING HARNESSES SEVERELY DETERIORATING. I WORK WITH ELECTRICAL WIRING ON AIRCRAFT DAILY AND HAVE NEVER SEEN WIRING LIKE THIS. I'VE WORKED IN AREAS WHERE AIRCRAFT WIR…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10143799 at NHTSA ↗