1996 Ford Contour Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 31about this part
- Share
- 6%of 563 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 49,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 31 complaints about the other or unknown of the 1996 Ford Contour, 6% of the 563 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 49,000 miles.
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“The connecting arms on the tray shield are cracked and can be easily pulled out of the side of the seat. The seat is only a year old, and the consumer feels that this should not be happening. The manufacturer will be notified.”
NHTSA complaint #10040277, filed 2003-09, 50,000 miles“The left front axle broke while I was driving the car and it punctured my tire and damaged the rim of it. The mechanic says it was just worn out even though the car is only 3 years old. The check engine light stays on all the time, and there is nothing wrong. The engine rumbles when it idles. The brakes grind all the time, and I have replaced the left rotor 3 times in less than a year. The carpet comes out from under the rear seats an the passenger's side.”
NHTSA complaint #705815, filed 1999-04“We have a infant/toddler car seat that cannot be put in the rear facing position because the back seats are too angeled back.we also can't have seat in middle because then my 9 yr old has to sit against the door.I am now forced to face my baby forward in his carseat.help! The cup holdes next to gearshift leak into the shift colum and cause the gearshift to stick. Brookdale Ford said it would cost me $100 to clean it for me.they offered no help, the least that should be done is to fix it so nothing more can leak through the holders.”
NHTSA complaint #704522, filed 1999-03“I have had multiple problems w/ my 96 Ford Contour since I bought it 2/23/96. I have had it in for service multiple times, and I get told it's covered under warranty why worry about it. The srv.mngr.at my dealer supposedly talked to a tony at Ford & told him to tell me as long as it's covered under warranty I shouldn't complain it is no money out of my pocket. That is unsatisfactory -I believe my car to be a defect in that years line of contours & I would like something done about these problems. My car runs worse than any used car I have ever owned! …”
NHTSA complaint #708828, filed 1999-07Other or unknown: other model years
Other parts of the 1996 Ford Contour
123 complaintsElectrical system
119 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
77 complaintsExterior lighting
64 complaintsBrakes
49 complaintsEquipment
41 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
41 complaintsSuspension
38 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