1996 Ford Contour Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 49about this part
- Share
- 9%of 563 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 49 complaints about the brakes of the 1996 Ford Contour, 9% of the 563 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“This car has less than 70000 miles on it. We had trouble with the fuel door, front wheel bearings, brakes, door handles, transmission, electric windows, and now as a special treat the engine failed. This car has been the worst investment that my wife and I have ever made. I have have owned several cars and trucks with 200000 plus miles on them and none of them have ever been as problematic as this automobile.”
NHTSA complaint #10069333, filed 2004-01, 49,000 miles“Left and right front ABS stators have cracks which are clearly visible. This causes the ABS system to activate on a low speed stop. At about 40 MPH the ABS light comes on and the system doesn't work.the brakes work in regular mode.this was discovered on 6/21/05 but had been happening . Mechanic changed an ABS sensor wire with a cut in it . Had to look further to find cracked stators.mechanic said that the Ford dealership he called admitted there was a problem with some models,cracked stators on windstars,offered no solution. …”
NHTSA complaint #10126299, filed 2005-06, 90,000 miles“While driving 25 MPH driver attempted to apply the brakes and vehicle continued to accelerate. As a result the vehicle was towed home, and then to the repair shop.”
NHTSA complaint #10108974, filed 2005-01, 151,000 miles“While driving the ABS light illuminated on the dash intermittently. When this occurred the anti lock brakes engaged prematurely. The ABS would then disengage and the brakes would lock up.”
NHTSA complaint #10038196, filed 2003-10, 20,000 miles“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”
NHTSA complaint #10000717, filed 2003-01, 95,000 milesRelated recalls
- 00V075000Mar 9, 2000Vehicle description: passenger vehicles not equipped with the anti-lock braking system (abs). A pressure conscious reducing valve (pcrv) in the rear brakes…Covers: Ford Contour 1996–2000, Mercury Mystique 1996–2000, Cougar 1999–2000
Brakes: other model years
Other parts of the 1996 Ford Contour
123 complaintsElectrical system
119 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
77 complaintsExterior lighting
64 complaintsEquipment
41 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
41 complaintsSuspension
38 complaintsOther or unknown
31 complaintsVehicle speed control
31 complaintsFuel system
30 complaintsSteering
30 complaintsAir bags
25 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Ford Contour
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology