10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 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 engine problems

engine problem

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1996 Ford Contour Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #32

Feb 012000

Contour

  • miles

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

Each incident has been with the engine, the dealership attempts to fix one problem and another engine problem begins. My car has been in repair for the fifth time in four of the five months that I have had the car. I've been driving a rental car three, almost four weeks now. Because of these problems with the engine. What can I do?

- Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA

problem #31

Mar 182000

Contour

  • miles
Consumer took car in for 4th recall repairs. This one was for the engine wires. Dealer fixed problem. Consumer picked up car, and on that same evening engine check light came on. Took in vehicle for service, and speedometer stopped working. Couldn't tell how fast car was going. Also overdrive light started to blink on/off.

- Woodbridge, IL, USA

problem #30

Feb 262000

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Neenah, WI, USA

problem #29

Feb 142000

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles

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

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 #28

Dec 201998

Contour

  • miles
No summary provided by consumer( dot number: "?? tire size: ??" )

- Beaufrot, SC, USA

problem #27

Jan 061998

Contour

  • miles
No summary provided by consumer

- Beaufort, SC, USA

problem #26

Dec 101999

Contour

  • miles

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

This is a leased car. I take good care of it, bringing it to a mechanic every three months for a "check up" there were no warning signs. The car simply stopped. I had it towed to a shop and now it is costing me $ $3000 to fix the transmission. I called Ford and besides being nasty and rude, was told that there was nothing they could "do". no warning lights, nothing. Just a dead car. My mechanic is having a very difficult time finding parts to replace the transmission. I am very angry!

- Brentwood, NY, USA

problem #25

Jun 091998

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles
Vehicle engine omits fumes.

- Salinas, CA, USA

problem #24

Mar 041996

Contour

  • miles
Engine consistently overheating.

- Salinas, CA, USA

problem #23

Sep 301999

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles
While traveling vehicle stalled without any indications. As a result, wheels locked up.

- Sparting, NC, USA

problem #22

Sep 021999

(reported on)

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Vehicle stalls and dies ant various speeds without warning. Also, engine check light stays on. Vehicle is able to be started immediately after it dies. Dealer has inspected vehicle, and was not able to duplicate problem. Manufacturer has been notified.

- St Louis, MO, USA

problem #21

Apr 011996

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle continually shuts down during operation, unable to determine failure. Mjs

- St. Louis, MO, USA

problem #20

Jul 241999

Contour

  • miles
I have previously had problems with this vehicle and have taken it more than eight different times to be service and problem still has not been resolved.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

problem #19

Jul 011999

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine failed, causing smoke.

- Semora, NC, USA

problem #18

Aug 191999

Contour

  • miles
While driving the car began to malfunction and then cut off, when vehicle cut off, driver lost control because the wheels locked up.

- Sparting, NC, USA

problem #17

Sep 011998

Contour

  • miles
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 Contour & I would like something done about these problems. My car runs worse than any used car I have ever owned! all I ever wanted done was to rectify the situation, they could have easily replaced my car with one similiar to that year & model & I would have been happy. I really would like a response to this matter. I am to the point where I will contact a lawyer to seek help dealing with Ford & kennedy Ford, if I can not get a fair & aggreeable outcome to this situation. Thank you.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #16

May 161999

Contour

  • miles
Smoke is coming out of the vehicle, and oil is leaking. Also, knocking sound is being heard. Oil is in the coolant, and coming out from the tail pipe. The engine needs to be replaced. Vehicle is being towed to a dealer.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #15

Oct 281997

Contour

  • miles
When traveling at any speed the vehicle cuts off without prior warning, causing loss of all power. In addition, the steering wheel shakes when traveling over 60 mph, resulting in poor steering control. Consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer unable to determine the cause.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #14

Jan 101999

Contour

  • miles
No summary provided by consumer

- Maple Shade, NJ, USA

problem #13

Jul 101998

Contour

  • miles
Dealer unable to fix hesatation- then when supposedly repaired vibration occurred

- Howell, NJ, USA

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