10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
9,795 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 lights problems

lights problem

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1996 Ford Contour Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #39

Nov 162009

Contour

  • 180,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 1996 Ford Contour. The contact stated that the plug on the headlight switch overheated and melted the wire in the plug. He had to disconnect the battery every time he got out of the vehicle because it caused a failure within the parking lights. The plug and headlight switch needed to be replaced. He found recall 99V103000 online and was told by both the manufacturer and the dealer that his vehicle was not included. The vehicle had not been repaired to-date. The current mileage was approximately 183,000. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

- Alvarado, TX, USA

problem #38

Jan 212003

Contour 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles
The headlight switch malfunctioned and caused the tail lights and instrument panel light to go out without warning. The vehicle was recall once for this problem and repaired but the problem has reocurred. Manufacturer stated since the recall was repaired once, they will not repair it again free of charge.

- Depew, NY, USA

problem #37

Dec 152002

Contour 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles
Headlight switch terminals and wiring harness terminals experienced heat damage. The instrument panel, tail lights and parking lights failed. Robin Ford dealer, 100 N. mcdade blvd, glenolden, pa indicated that there is a recall for this problem on the 96 Ford Contour but my VIN does not apply to the recall. My VIN is [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Ridley Park, PA, USA

problem #36

Mar 152002

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles

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

Consumer received a recall notice and made an appointment with the dealer to have repairs, the dealer stated that the vehicle was not in their computer to have this work done, consumer has paid for the repairs. (99V10300)

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #35

Oct 222001

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles
Consumer stated that instrument panels were inoperative, consumer's received safety recall 99S14 regarding instrument light failure, consumer took vehicle and recall notice to dealership, dealership was reluctant to honor recall, after speaking with management, dealership finally honored recall, when consumer returned home with vehicle, they noticed a leak which resulted in recall repair.

- Rancho Cordova, CA, USA

problem #34

Oct 232001

Contour

  • miles
Consumer states received recall 99V103000 notification. Dealership repaired other recalls, but informed consumer parts were not available to repair headlight switch recall, and he should return in 7 days. When consumer returned to dealership he was informed that vehicle had already been serviced for this recall, and any work would be performed at consumer's expense. Please provide any additional information / documentation.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #33

Oct 222001

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles

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

Consumer stated that instrument panels were inoperative, consumer's received safety recall 99S14 regarding instrument light failure, consumer took vehicle and recall notice to dealership, dealership was reluctant to honor recall, after speaking with management, dealership finally honored recall, when consumer returned home with vehicle, they noticed a leak which resulted in recall repair.

- Rancho Cordova, CA, USA

problem #32

Apr 062001

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles
Recall 99V103000. Remedy did not correct problem. While vehicle was being driven instrument panel and tail lights completely went out.

- Pembroke, MA, USA

problem #31

Jan 122001

Contour

  • miles
Panel lights and tail lights failed, part (F5rz-14A411-ba) was replaced in 8/99 according to recall (99V-103), part failed 1 year and 5 months later, owner would like to be reimibursed for repairs on 1/12/01.

- Elmira Hei, NY, USA

problem #30

Sep 012000

Contour

  • miles
Vehicle has been at the dealership for a nine week period waiting for the recall component part to arrive (99V-103).

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #29

Nov 132000

Contour

  • miles

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

Received recall notice 99V103000; took vehicle to dealer last year. Mechanic barely looked at switch & declared okay. Now having problems as recall indicated. Took vehicle back. Informed by mechanic switch just suppose to be inspected & not replaced. Recall notice indicated to replace switch & then inspect it later.

- Savannah, GA, USA

problem #28

Mar 231999

Contour

  • miles
While driving tail lights/odometer lights, and parking lights went out. Consumer took vehicleto dealer, and they replaced a switch. Consumer did not know which switch, on Nov 1, 2000 same problem occurred. Took vehicle to another dealer, and they replaced headlight switch, and a F5rz14A411, head lamp switch.

- Willington, OH, USA

problem #27

May 031999

Contour

  • miles
The terminals at the headlight switch and wiring harness connectors failed prior to recall notice 99V-103 causing the vehicle to shut down. Nlm

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #26

May 031999

Contour

  • miles
The terminals at the headlight switch and wiring harness connectors failed prior to recall notice 99V-103 causing the vehicle to shut down. Nlm

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #25

Jan 111999

Contour

  • miles
Consumer has defective parts, such as. Headlight switch is ticking noise inside of the vehicle, and all dashboard lights are out.

- Yeadon, PA, USA

problem #24

May 021996

Contour

  • miles
Prior to recall electrical connector at head light switch failed (99V-103).

- Anniston, AL, USA

problem #23

Feb 152000

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles
Consumer recall workk on 99V-103 head light switch performed, however after repair temprature gauge failed and head lights not aligned properly consumer not satisfied with repair.

- Holliston, MA, USA

problem #22

Dec 231998

Contour

  • miles
The first noticable symptom was that my dashboard lights went out. I then learned that, although my headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and ememgency flashers still functioned, my running lights were also out. Upon taking the car into the dealership, I was informed that my headlight switch had shorted and caused damage to the interior wiring harness. To add further insult to injury, I had to purchase an entire wiring harness regardless of whether or not I wished to have the damage harness repaired or replaced because the needed parts could not be obtained separately. This has all been reported to Ford Motor Company and they are looking into the matter. I have only reported my case to the NHTSA after finding a listing in your online investigations database for action number PE98063 and thought that my story may pertain to this investigation. Thank you for your consideration.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #21

Dec 211999

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles
Recall # 99V103000 lighting: Switch:button:ring:head lights; owner received recall notice in July, 1999. Owner has brought vehicle to dealership twice for recall. Once in July, and again on December 4th. Dealer does not have parts to correct recall. Told consumer to come back in 6 weeks.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #20

Oct 151999

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles
Recall component failed prior to recall notice (99V-103), consumer is having trouble with refunding. Mjs

- Thomaston, AL, USA

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