10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Ford Contour electrical problems

electrical problem

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1996 Ford Contour Owner Comments

problem #11

Mar 122002

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine check light and battery light illuminates.took vehicle to dealer, and had electrical problem; repaired but problem still exists.

- Pontiac, MI, USA

problem #10

Aug 102001

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle had no power causing consumer to purchase a new battery. Vehicle wouldn't work with new battery because consumer noticed wires were not attached. Dealer stated " Ford has a program which is 10 year or 100,000 miles, but can only be fixed if a problem occurs." Consumers is responsible for the cost of repairs.

- Orange Park, FL, USA

problem #9

Aug 061999

Contour

  • miles
Would be driving when all lights in vehicle would go out, and then vehicle would stall. Alternator failed to charge battery. Took to dealership, had battery replaced for 4th time in 3 years.

- Orange, CA, USA

problem #8

Sep 282000

Contour

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Whenever I turn on the heater, A/C, defrost, or fan my ABS light turns on and my brakes are spongy. I have lost all brakes on two occasions when the ABS light came on. When my car sits for a weekend, the battery dies. Installed a new battery, still dies. Ford cannot find a cause for either problem. I have taken my car in to have the wiring harness changed for the lights, those went out. Also, my A/C fuse had caught fire, whole fuse box and blower was replaced.

- Salinas, CA, USA

problem #7

Aug 032000

Contour

  • miles
My car was in the shop 5 times in one month - all electrical problems. Alternator, battery, starter, wiring harness, speed sensor and oxygen sensor were all changed. The Ford dealership does not understand why I am having all these problems. It was also in a garage fire at the dealership in this time and I had smoke damage to my car on top of the engine problems. Needless to say, I loss money on the trade in. This is the worse car I have ever owned and will never own another Ford car or truck again.

- Lake Charles, LA, USA

problem #6

Jul 242000

Contour

  • miles
There are too many problems with our car to write down. Please contact us.

- Belleview, FL, USA

problem #5

Jul 242000

Contour

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

There are too many problems with our car to write down. Please contact us.

- Belleview, FL, USA

problem #4

Feb 142000

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles
Occasionally, when the vehicle rolls through a puddle, the steering will fail and the battery light will appear, with the engine almost stalling. This has happened with the car going as fast as 35 mph and as slow as 5 mph. The problem has been reported to the dealer on several occasions, and the dealer has reportedly contacted the manufacturer regarding this particular problem. Additionally, the first time the vehicle was taken back to the dealer to report the problem, the service personnel was aware that the problem existed with the specific model. After repeated returns to the dealer (at least three separate complaints), the dealer informed us that the problem was fixed and that the car was even "driven through several puddles" without any steering failure. The last time the vehicle was taken in was approximately August, 1999. The warranty has since expired, and the dealer says that it is our responsibility to pay to have the problem fixed. Unfortunately, we have taken the car back several times, and the problem still exists. On 02/13/00, the vehicle again experienced steering failure.

- Metairie, LA, USA

problem #3

Dec 061999

Contour

  • miles
Battery not able to hold the current. Also, headlights and interior lights are not working.

- St Louis, MS, USA

problem #2

Sep 011999

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Have had numerous problems: Interior/brake lights failed to light. Replaced switch twice. Fuel filler door will not open with latch inside. Never worked. Cigarette lighter failed. Power window on driver's side has failed. Car intermittently will not start due to drained battery. Mechanic could find no cause for this related to alternator/charging system of car. Never able to fix this. Trunk leaks water around seal. ABS light keeps coming on. Mechanic could find no problem with ABS. Air conditioner/heater would only blow out defrost setting. Also bad smell comes from ac when on. Rear seat belts keep jamming; not able to use sometimes because they won't come out. Worst problem so far: Transmission has failed. Not yet fixed. I loved this car once, now I hate it! the whole thing should be recalled.

- Independence, MO, USA

problem #1

Apr 191999

Contour

  • miles
The fuse keeps blowing out. This causes the air conditioner not work. Took to dealer. Vehicle failed to start & needed a jump. Informed battery was needed.

- Lithia Springs, GA, USA

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