Recalls
8campaigns
2 fuel system · 1 electrical · 1 engine
Source: NHTSA
Complaints
563filed
Owner reports, 1993–2001 shown
Source: NHTSA ODI
Fuel economy
25mpg combined
$2,612/yr at this week's prices
Source: EPA · EIA
Specs
2 L 4-cyl· 5-speed manual
4 engine and transmission configurations
Source: NHTSA vPIC
Recalls (8)
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 1996 Ford Contour. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Listed for 1996 Ford Contour. Not checked against your VIN.
FORD/HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR
Electrical system
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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
- 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.
Repair progress not yet reported342,962 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 01V230000
Listed for 1996 Ford Contour. Not checked against your VIN.
FORD/ENGINE COOLING FAN
Engine and engine cooling
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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
- 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.
Repair progress not yet reported262,559 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 00V367000
Listed for 1996 Ford Contour. Not checked against your VIN.
FORD/REAR BRAKE VALVE
Service brakes, hydraulic · foundation components
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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
- 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.
Repair progress not yet reported436,200 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 00V075000
Listed for 1996 Ford Contour. Not checked against your VIN.
FORD/FUEL VENT HOSE
Fuel system, gasoline · storage · tank assembly · filler pipe and cap
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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
- 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.
Repair progress not yet reported22,324 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 99V247000
Listed for 1996 Ford Contour. Not checked against your VIN.
FORD/HEADLIGHT SWITCH/WIRING HARNESS
Exterior lighting · headlights · switch
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TERMINALS AT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN EXPERIENCE HEAT DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF OVERHEATING.
- 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.
Repair progress not yet reported605,581 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 99V103000
Listed for 1996 Ford Contour. Not checked against your VIN.
FORD/SHIFT LEVER DAMAGE
Power train · automatic transmission · lever and linkage · floor shift
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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
- THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INCORRECT GEAR SELECTION.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL.
Repair progress not yet reported175,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 98V233000
Listed for 1996 Ford Contour. Not checked against your VIN.
FORD/THROTTLE CABLE
Vehicle speed control · cables
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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
- 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.
Repair progress not yet reported38,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 97V225000
Listed for 1996 Ford Contour. Not checked against your VIN.
FORD/CNG SOLENOID VALVE
Fuel system, other · storage
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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
- 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.
Repair progress not yet reported1,800 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 97V203000
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (563)
563 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine and engine cooling is mentioned most often.
35involved a crash
24involved a fire
39injuries reported
0deaths reported
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 563 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 123 | 21.8% |
| Electrical system | 119 | 21.1% |
| Power train | 77 | 13.7% |
| Exterior lighting | 64 | 11.4% |
| Service brakes | 48 | 8.5% |
| Equipment | 41 | 7.3% |
| Visibility | 41 | 7.3% |
| Suspension | 38 | 6.7% |
| Vehicle speed control | 31 | 5.5% |
| Fuel system | 30 | 5.3% |
How 1996 compares with other Contour years
Best and worst Contour years →19933
199412
1995891
1996563
1997218
1998846
1999419
2000199
20014
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 3 | 0 |
| 1994 | 12 | 0 |
| 1995 | 891 | 8 |
| 1996 | 563 | 8 |
| 1997 | 218 | 5 |
| 1998 | 846 | 9 |
| 1999 | 419 | 3 |
| 2000 | 199 | 5 |
| 2001 | 4 | 0 |
This year (1996)Other yearsStill collecting reports
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 25 mpg combined
25
mpg combined
21
city
31
highway
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,700
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 356 g/mi
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
What it costs you to run
$2,612per year
$218per month
600gallons a year
Miles ÷ 25 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 31 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 29 / 23 | $2,900 | 386 |
| 2.5 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 28 / 22 | $3,050 | 404 |
| 2.5 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 27 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1996 Contour for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1996 Ford Contour FAQ
How many recalls does the 1996 Ford Contour have?
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns: 01V230000 (electrical), 00V367000 (engine), 00V075000 (brake), 99V247000 (fuel system), 99V103000 (lighting), 98V233000 (power train), 97V225000 (vehicle speed control), 97V203000 (fuel system). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1996 Ford Contour problems?
Owners filed 563 complaints with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling (123), Electrical system (119), Power train (77) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1996 Ford Contour get?
EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 21 city, 31 highway and 25 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1996 Contour compare with other years?
Among the 1993–2001 Ford Contour model years at least five years old, the 1993 drew the fewest complaints (3) and the 1995 the most (891). The 1996 drew 563. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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