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1996 Ford Contour: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 563 owner complaints and 8 recalls on file for the 1996 Ford Contour[1][2]. The engine and electrical system have the most complaints among the component groups we list[3][4], so check those first.
Most reported problems
Owners filed 563 complaints with NHTSA for this model year[1]. Of those, 34 mention a crash, 24 a fire and 38 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.
| Component group | Complaints | Fires | Crashes | Median miles at failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine[3] | 124 | 6 | 2 | 80,000 |
| Electrical system[4] | 119 | 15 | 0 | 102,000 |
| Power train[6] | 77 | 0 | 1 | 81,124 |
| Exterior lighting[7] | 64 | 3 | 0 | 105,900 |
| Brakes[8] | 49 | 2 | 6 | 92,500 |
| Suspension[9] | 38 | 0 | 3 | 78,000 |
Visibility and equipment each have 41 complaints, with no crashes or injuries reported for either group[10][11].
We also read a small sample of complaint texts. It is not a count of all owners, so treat the themes below as examples.
- Engine. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, 8 describe the engine stalling or shutting off while driving or idling, in some cases in traffic[3].
- Electrical system. In a sample of 12, 7 describe burnt, shorted or overheated wiring or switches, with lights going out[4].
- Exterior lighting. In a sample of 12, 10 describe a headlight switch that failed, burned or overheated, often with the dash and tail lights going out[7].
- Power train. In a sample of 12, owners describe gear trouble such as slipping out of gear or staying in overdrive (5 texts), a transmission that failed or was replaced (3), and a gear indicator that did not show the real gear (2)[6].
Of the groups listed here, the electrical system has the most fires, 15[4]. Brakes have the most crashes, 6, and suspension the most injuries, 8[8][9].
Recalls
NHTSA lists 8 recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first:
- Heater blower resistor (01V230). Rough metal blades on the resistor can damage the wiring connector. Over time the connector can fail, arc and melt its housing, which could cause a fire. Dealers install a new resistor and a new jumper harness. The recall covers 342,962 potentially affected units[12].
- Cooling fan motor (00V367). Applies to 1996 cars with the 2.5L engine[13]. The fan motor bearings can tighten and overheat, which can cause smoke and odors and could ignite other parts in the engine compartment. Dealers add a protective device to each fan motor, and Ford extended the fan warranty to 8 years or 100,000 miles[13].
- Rear brake valve (00V075). Applies to cars without ABS. A rear brake pressure valve can corrode where road salt is used. If both valves fail, the rear wheels could lock during braking and raise the risk of a crash. Dealers install improved valves[14].
- Fuel filler vent hose (99V247). The hose may be less resistant to ozone, which could make it brittle and cracked, and that could leak fuel while fueling. Dealers install a hose made from a different material blend[15].
- Headlight switch (99V103). Heat can damage the terminals at the headlight switch connector. That can cut power to the dash lights, parking lamps and tail lamps. Dealers install a connector with bronze terminals and inspect the switch, replacing it if needed. The recall covers 605,581 units[16].
- Floor shift (98V233). Some interior cleaning products can damage the automatic transmission floor shift control, so the gear indicator may show the wrong gear. That can lead to choosing the wrong gear. Dealers replace the control[17].
- Throttle cable (97V225). Applies to cars with the traction control option. A throttle cable damaged during assembly can fray or separate, which could keep the engine from returning to idle. Dealers replace it with a revised design[18].
- Bi-fuel natural gas tank (97V203). Applies to vehicles modified to run on gasoline or compressed natural gas. In a serious collision the tank valve concern could let natural gas leak, and a fire is possible. Ford asked owners to have the natural gas system disabled and to use gasoline only until a permanent fix is developed, so a permanent fix is not described as available in the recall text[19].
NHTSA's recall text does not say whether any individual car has had the work done. Ask a dealer to check the VIN for open recalls.
Fuel economy
The EPA lists four versions, all front-wheel drive and all on regular fuel:
| Engine and transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EPA annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl, automatic 4-spd[20] | 20 | 29 | 23 | $2,900 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl, manual 5-spd[5] | 21 | 31 | 25 | $2,700 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl, automatic 4-spd[21] | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,200 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl, manual 5-spd[22] | 18 | 28 | 22 | $3,050 |
The 2.0L manual has the best combined rating, 25 MPG[5]. The 2.5L automatic has the lowest, 21 MPG[21]. The annual cost uses the EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings list this car as not rated[23].
Engine and size
The EPA lists a 2.0L 4-cylinder and a 2.5L 6-cylinder engine for this model year[20][21]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications.
| Measure | 4-door sedan GL/LX | 4-door sedan SE |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 184 in | 184 in |
| Width | 69 in | 69 in |
| Height | 54 in | 54 in |
| Wheelbase | 107 in | 107 in |
| Curb weight | 2,769 lb | 3,020 lb |
How 1996 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 891 | 8 |
| 1996 | 563 | 8 |
| 1997 | 218 | 5 |
| 1998 | 846 | 9 |
| 1999 | 419 | 3 |
| 2000 | 199 | 5 |
NHTSA counts for each Contour model year[2]:
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 891 | 8 |
| 1996 | 563 | 8 |
| 1997 | 218 | 5 |
| 1998 | 846 | 9 |
| 1999 | 419 | 3 |
| 2000 | 199 | 5 |
By complaints, 1996 is third-highest of the six years, behind 1995 and 1998. By recalls, it ties 1995 for second-most, behind 1998 with 9[2]. The 1997 and 2000 model years have the fewest complaints. These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they show where reports landed, not how likely a problem is.
Should you buy a used 1996 Contour?
Three of the 8 recalls involve electrical parts or overheating: the heater blower resistor, cooling fan motor and headlight switch[12][13][16]. Owners also describe stalling and headlight switch trouble in the complaint texts we read[3][7]. If you are looking at one, ask a dealer to check the VIN for open recalls, and look closely at the lights, the wiring and how the engine idles. Check whether the car has ABS, since the rear brake valve recall applies only to cars without it[14]. The listed fuel economy is 21 to 25 combined MPG depending on engine and transmission[20][5][21][22]. Our data has no price, reliability score or crash rating, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth it.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 1996 Ford Contour?
- Engine has the most NHTSA complaints at 124, followed by the electrical system at 119 and power train at 77[3][4][6]. In the complaint texts we read, owners describe stalling and headlight switch failures[3][7].
- How many recalls does the 1996 Ford Contour have?
- NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 1996 model year[2]. They cover the heater blower resistor, cooling fan motor, rear brake valve, fuel filler vent hose, headlight switch, floor shift, throttle cable and a bi-fuel natural gas tank[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19].
- What gas mileage does the 1996 Ford Contour get?
- The EPA lists 21 to 25 combined MPG[20][5][21][22]. The 2.0L manual gets 25, the 2.0L automatic 23, the 2.5L manual 22 and the 2.5L automatic 21[20][5][21][22].
- Is the 1996 Ford Contour a fire risk?
- 24 of the 563 complaints mention a fire[1]. Three recalls describe fire or ignition risk: the heater blower resistor, the cooling fan motor and the bi-fuel natural gas tank[12][13][19]. Ask a dealer to check the VIN for open recalls.
- Is 1996 a good year for the Ford Contour?
- It had 563 complaints and 8 recalls, which is more than 1997, 1999 and 2000 on both counts, but fewer complaints than 1995 and 1998[2]. The counts are not adjusted for sales.
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 563 owner complaints on file for the 1996 Ford Contour (34 mention a crash, 24 a fire, 38 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Contour model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- 124 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 6 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 119 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 15 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 102,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA rating for Contour, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 31 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 77 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 81,124). NHTSA vehicle records
- 64 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 105,900). NHTSA vehicle records
- 49 complaints name the brakes component group (6 crashes, 2 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 92,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 38 complaints name the suspension component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 78,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 41 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 41 complaints name the equipment component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 01V230, filed July 9, 2001: Electrical System. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 00V367, filed November 6, 2000: Engine And Engine Cooling. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 00V075, filed March 9, 2000: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 99V247, filed September 13, 1999: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe And Cap. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 99V103, filed May 5, 1999: Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Switch. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 98V233, filed September 18, 1998: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever And Linkage › Floor Shift. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 97V225, filed December 8, 1997: Vehicle Speed Control › Cables. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 97V203, filed November 17, 1997: Fuel System, Other › Storage. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Contour, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 29 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Contour, 2.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Contour, 2.5L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 28 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CONTOUR 4DR SEDAN GL/LX: length 184 in, width 69 in, height 54 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 2,769 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CONTOUR 4DR SEDAN SE: length 184 in, width 69 in, height 54 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,020 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov