6.9

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
8,863 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

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1996 Ford Contour Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #28

Mar 092001

(reported on)

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Vehicle has a crack in transmission housing. Consumer states while mechanic was performing routine maintenance he observed a crack in the bottome of the transmission housing, since no transmission work has ever been performed under consumer's ownership roughly since 41,000 miles in the mechanic's opinion that either the transmission housing was cracked when installed or another transmission was put in resulting in a cracked housing, he also observed what might be bad front coil springs, they are making a rubbing nosie on an uneven surface or in a sharp turn to the right, consumer has contacted manufacturer they have called her consumer back but they have turned the complaint into a feedback report consumer has also had rotors turned and serviced twice.

- Daggsboro, DE, USA

problem #27

Jan 042001

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles
While vehicle is being driven overdrive activates, and vehicle completely shuts down in heavy traffic, cause unknown.

- Maple Wood, MN, USA

problem #26

Sep 282000

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
My transmission went out on my 1996 Ford countour (66000+ miles). I was told that my transmission went to high line pressure and blew a piston drum in the transmission. The transmission in my car is a cd4E which is also found in madza cars. The cd4E transmission is known for it many problems releated to going to high line pressure and blowing the piston drums in its' earlier designs between (1994 - 1998). Why aren't these defective transmissions recalled for correction.

- Alton, IL, USA

problem #25

Jun 231999

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Was driving one day and overdrive light comes on and cars starts to shift real hard no exact speed matters all the time and engine check light is on all the time.

- Lone Grove, OK, USA

problem #24

Aug 151999

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Car would not shift, entire transmission rebuilt $2600.

- Hamden, CT, USA

problem #23

Mar 292000

(reported on)

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When shifting into third gear there is a grinding/clashing noise= tsb # 96248; contacted local dealership and was informed Ford does not cover anything, car needs a new shift fork and rebuilt input shaft; cost $1000.

- Northome, MN, USA

problem #22

Mar 272000

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Transmission does not recognize any gears. Vehicle was towed to dealer & dealer hasn't had a chance to find the cause of the problem. Vechicle is also idleing very high.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #21

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 #20

Feb 042000

(reported on)

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When traveling at any speed transmission drops out of gear, causing loss of forward motion and loss of acceleration. Consumer has contacted dealer.

- Arburn Hills, MI, USA

problem #19

Jul 011999

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Over drive light flashes and over drive system will be activated suddenly couldn't be turned off.

- Mayaguez, PR, USA

problem #18

Sep 011999

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

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 #17

Aug 011999

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Tranamission failed.

- Mount Plea, PA, USA

problem #16

Oct 091999

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
At highway speeds transmission casing cracked, causing the vehicle to decelerate rapidly. Dealer and manufacturer have been notified.

- Huber Heights, OH, USA

problem #15

Mar 071998

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving the overdrive off light continues to come on. And when this happens, car loses speed.

- Laural, MD, USA

problem #14

Sep 051999

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When driving at 70 mph the vehicle is shifting very hard. It downshifts from overdrive to second gear, and all the components on the dashboard start going out. Vehicle has been into repair shop six times and the dealer can't determine the cause of the problem. Also, when applying the brakes, the child in the child seat goes forward, and the harness strap left a red spot on the child.

- San Antiono, TX, USA

problem #13

Jul 261999

Contour

  • miles
Vehicle shuts off in gear at 25 mph. Overheated upon acceleration. Dealer contacted, and stated the alarm was the cause. Problems still exists.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #12

Mar 291999

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles
The transmission is making a grinding and scraping type noise. I should not have to for any of the cost of the transimission.

- Lake Geneva, WI, USA

problem #11

Aug 201999

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving at 70 mph without prior warning odometer dropped, and the vehicle went into overdrive and wouldn't come out of overdrive.

- Southfield, MI, USA

problem #10

Jul 211999

(reported on)

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The vehicle will intermittently jump from first to second gear. Also, a lound popping noise occurs, cause unknown.

- Apache, OK, USA

problem #9

Mar 011999

Contour 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
This is our second car with this model overdrive transmission (cd4E) that has failed at approximately the same mileage, the first was a 1995 Mazda 626 VIN# [xxx]. the majority of the driving miles on both vehicles were considered highway miles at a cruising seed of 55mph or greater, generally with the cruise control on. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Ruther Glen, VA, USA

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