Model Year Problem Record
The complete public record for the 1996 Ford Contour: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.
Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.
The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.
140 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 01V230000.
136 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 00V367000.
91 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 99V103000.
84 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 98V233000.
57 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 00V075000.
44 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
41 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
39 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
31 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 97V225000.
31 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
30 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 97V203000, 99V247000.
28 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
25 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.
Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on March 9, 2000. The campaign covers an estimated 436,200 vehicles across all affected models.
Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on November 6, 2000. The campaign covers an estimated 262,559 vehicles across all affected models.
Electrical System. Recall covering the electrical system system, reported to NHTSA on July 9, 2001. The campaign covers an estimated 342,962 vehicles across all affected models.
Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on November 17, 1997. The campaign covers an estimated 1,800 vehicles across all affected models.
Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on December 8, 1997. The campaign covers an estimated 38,000 vehicles across all affected models.
Power Train. Recall covering the power train system, reported to NHTSA on September 18, 1998. The campaign covers an estimated 175,000 vehicles across all affected models.
Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on May 5, 1999. The campaign covers an estimated 605,581 vehicles across all affected models.
Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on September 13, 1999. The campaign covers an estimated 22,324 vehicles across all affected models.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.
BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS. Resulted in recall campaign 01I009000.
BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
HEADLIGHT SWITCH. Resulted in recall campaign 99V103000.
INCORRECT GEAR INDICATION. Resulted in recall campaign 98V233000.
VARIOUS INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL ISSUES. Resulted in recall campaign 99V243000.
When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.
Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.