10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 7
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 43,945 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.
The wire harness motor, transmission and fuel injection are bad, and was stationary 5 year ago like many many many Contour and mistyques in my country, I need a solution please, couse responsability is from Ford company in all the world. Thank you. I am in Mexico.
- Guadalupe Nuevo Leon Mexico, TX, USA
The contact owns a 1996 Ford Contour. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, it would fail to start due to a melted wire in the engine. In addition, the contact stated that the odometer failed to provide the accurate reading. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
- Lillian, AL, USA
Car was purchased from a used car dealer on 8/11/15. The car has 58606 miles on it. The transmission had to be replaced due to electrical issues caused by a faulty wiring harness. Wiring harness was under the owner notification and not repaired. Ford has not offered any type of assistance and mechanic says the car is a fire hazard and harness has to be replaced. Contacted Ford who said the car was not under any type of recall and they no longer make the part.
- Vancouver, WA, USA
The contact owns a 1996 Ford Contour. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the taillight and front panel failed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
- Aliquippa, PA, USA
I purchased a used 1996 Ford Contour for my granddaughter and after a few days the check engine light came on. My mechanic diagnosed the problem and fixed it. A few miles down the road it came back on. After further diagnostics it was found that the engine wiring harness was bad. The insulation on the wires was flaking off and in one spot the wire bundle covering had melted. Research on line showed that Ford had a recall on this problem (99M03) and extended the recall for 10 years. In an attempt to repair the problem with a different wiring harness has proved to be a loosing battle I contacted Ford and they said that they no longer build this part and that they had no parts in stock throughout the usa. I tried salvage yards and there are no good parts out there. How can a used car lot sell cars without looking into safety recalls on the vehicles. I have no recourse but to junk the car and take a $3000 loss. Is there any help out there?
- Crittenden, KY, USA
My car had been having many issues.fixing what we thought were the problem we found that the electrical connected to the cooling fan was melted as well as many problems in wire harnesses in front of engine.. it is very apparent the wiring is defective and caused melting N burn wires throughout the wiring system. I have had 4 mechanics look at it and was told by all that this make N model is very well known for this electrical issue.
- Leipsic, OH, USA
The contact owns a 1996 Ford Contour. While parked, the contact smelled smoke and noticed flames near the rear of the radio and the center column that divided the front and rear driver side doors. The contact was able to extinguish the flames herself. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 01V230000 (electrical system) that could possibly have been related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact stated the failure affected the exterior lighting and interior lighting of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 62,922.
- For Lauderdale, FL, USA
The contact owns a 1996 Ford Contour. While operating the vehicle in reverse, the contact noticed that the vehicle lost power without warning. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who performed a diagnostic test which concluded that the wiring harness was corroded and cracked. The mechanic confirmed that the vehicle needed to be repaired. The vehicle was included in recall number: 01V230000 (electrical system); however, since the recall had expired the dealer was not willing to offer any assistance. They advised the contact to locate a wiring harness at a junk yard for installation. The contact did not inform the manufacturer nor was the vehicle repaired due to the cost. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. Updated 5/2/11 updated 1/11/11
- Porthuron, MI, USA
I have a Ford Contour (1996 sport w/2.5 V6..nearly all of the wiring under the hood either has broken or no insulation on it. Some times the temperature light comes on...today the electric cooling fan smoked then blew a fuse. I've never seen wiring like this. I expect better from Ford than this..this car just turned over to 72000 miles....this car is a total fire hazard.....I've owned Ford cars and trucks all my life but if nothing can be done about this car it will be the last Ford I buy..this wiring should be against the law. I wonder if the safety team knows about this.
- Kannapolis, NC, USA
Blower 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.
- West Jordan, UT, USA
The contact owns a 1996 Ford Contour. While driving 55 mph, the contact smelled a burning odor and noticed smoke emanating from the instrument panel. After close inspection, he noticed that the blower switch and all associated wiring were melted. The dealer would not assume responsibility because the VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 01V230000 (electrical system). The manufacturer would not assist and the vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 109,688. 4/01/09 Ford stated the vehicle was diagnosed before it left the factory and they refused to reimburse the consumer. Updated 04/07/09.
- Van Couver, WA, USA
The contact owns a 1996 Ford Contour. The contact stated that the wiring harness was malfunctioning, which causes the check engine indicator to illuminate on the instrument panel, engine failure, and electrical fires under the hood. He has been repairing the failure himself, but the wiring harness continues to malfunction. The dealer stated that there were no recalls related to the failure and the repair would cost $1,500. The manufacturer stated that they would not repair the vehicle. The failure mileage was 103,000.
- Hendersonville, TN, USA
The contact owns a 1996 Ford Contour. As he started his vehicle, the tail lights or the dashboard did not light up. His mechanic gave him a copy of NHTSA campaign# 01V230000. The dealer and the manufacturer stated that his vehicle was not a part of the recall. The related NHTSA action# is EA01001. The failure mileage was 186,000.
- Kansas City, MO, USA
The contact owns a 1996 Ford Contour. After being parked for four hours, the vehicle caught fire without warning. The fire originated on the front driver side. The vehicle was not towed or inspected by a dealer. The fire extinguished on its own. The current and failure mileages were 101,000.
- Minneapolis, MN, USA
The contact owns a 1996 Ford Contour. The contact stated that the vehicle has encountered blown fuses and a destroyed alternator. The electrical system also destroyed the battery. The dealer stated that the wiring harness deteriorated, and informed the contact of recall # 01V230000.
- Tahaquah, OK, USA
- the contact took his 1997 Ford Contour to the dealership on 12/20/06 because the vehicle had lost complete power. The dealer stated that the vehicle needed to get the wiring harness replaced. The dealership called the manufacturer to see if the vehicle would be covered under the recall NHTSA campaign id number : 01V230000 and they stated that it wouldn't be covered under recall due to the vehicle being more than 10 years old. The contact can provide copies of repair invoices if needed. Updated 2/16/2007 -
- Port Carbon, PA, USA
Consumer has had numerous problems with the 1996 Ford Contour. 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.
- Groveland, MA, USA
Electrical system was defective. Consumer took vehicle to dealer on several occasions. However, the electrical system was such that the lights went out and flickered. Vehicle locked in to park. Consumer applied a 20 amp fuse to get it out of gear. The dealer was unable to solve the problem.
- Farmersburg, IN, USA
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.
- Van Nuys, CA, USA
- Spokane Valley, WA, USA