6.4

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
11,444 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1996 Ford Contour:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #9

Jun 232003

Contour 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,000 miles
The consumer stated that while driving the cooling fan seized. This caused the electrical components to melt and result in a fire. The consumer saw the recall on the internet but later found out the vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. The consumer fells the scope of the recall should be expanded.

- Castle Rock, CO, USA

problem #8

May 132003

Contour

  • miles
The consumers vehicle experienced symptoms of NHTSA recall # 01-V-230-000 which was related to the rough surface of the heater blower resistor's stainless steel blades. The consumers vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.

- Amarillo, TX, USA

problem #7

Jun 252002

Contour

  • miles
Wires from the cooling fan are melting together and causing engine to overheat. Dealer notified.

- Montgomery, AL, USA

problem #6

Jan 162002

Contour

  • miles
Engine check light coming on. Took to kinsel Ford in June 2001...told catalytic converter going out. Engine light went off...started coming on again and car had alot of exhaust and running rough. Took to silsbee Ford and was told that the engine was out due to the engine cooling fan not coming on like it was suppose to so it also fried the wires. Ford is willing to pay for parts but refuses to pay for labor due to the fact that they say it was out of the 100,000 warrenty for the repair. I explained that the problem was going on when I brought it in in June and they didn't correct it then, according to the check out sheet they didn't even check it for that and I specifically asked for that recall to be checked. I had even been in in March of 2000 for the check engine light coming on. I was told by Ford that my car had no recall for the engine and engine cooling fan. Just extremely upset that you can have a recall, take your car in and it not be checked for it and when it goes out due to the recall that the company penalizes the consumer.

- Silsbee, TX, USA

problem #5

Aug 312001

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles
Vehicle not included in recall number 00V367000. Overheating of engine cooling fan due to excessive current.

- Ferndale, MI, USA

problem #4

Aug 292001

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle was serviced for recall 00V367000/ manufacturer's recall 00S44 concerning engine cooling fan. After vehicle was picked up, same day, consumer found air conditioner and heater were not working. Only defroster worked. Dealer opened hood and stated nothing was done to affect air conditioning unit/heater. Advised consumer to call back next week to speak to service manager.

- Fall Village, CT, USA

problem #3

Feb 012001

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When driving consumer smelled something burning. Dealer said engine cooling fan needed to be replaced. There is a recall 00V367000, but this vehicle is not affected due to VIN.

- Palos Park, IL, USA

problem #2

Jan 011999

Contour

  • miles
Right rear light continued to go out. Replace bulb few times. Right wheel bearing had to be replaced. Major fan belt replaced. Alternator replaced. Light on radio goes off when head lights turned on. This happened after they fixed my recall for lights. Gas cap cover is very hard to open. Takes several times to try and open. When air is on smells come through really strong from other cars. Owner notification recalls are not taken care of until they actually happen. These are coil can break and car go down blow out tires. Also electrical harness can break and wires will connect with other parts of the car and cause a fire. I have sent a letter to the president of Ford and explained how I felt this car was unsafe and if anything happened to me or my family they would be held responsible. I never received a response from anyone. They should be made to take back all Contour and give us a safer car for us and our families to drive. I am a single parent and cannot afford to finance another car. They need to provide a loan and new car for us. I will be contacting Ford again in the near future to see if they will help with taking my car back and giving me another car/loan. As I told them in the letter they just wanted to sell and make money they didn't think of the family and or families that this car as it fell apart would effect. I appreciate that you have this web site that I can voice my concerns, problems with the Ford and feel someone may pay attention before someone is hurt in these cars as have been many with the tire situation. I will help you in any way I can to clear up all of these problems. I keep the letter I sent Ford in my car in case something happens someone will be able to read it and know I did try to get this problem dissolved before it was to late. Thank you so much for your help. Debbie jennings hewitt

- Chattanooga, TN, USA

problem #1

Jul 141997

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles
Cooling fan remains on at all times.

- Greenville, DE, USA