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1996 Ford Contour

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Contour years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Ford Contour are substantially higher than the model-year median of 218.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 65 of 563 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 123 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 119 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 77 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

34 crash reports24 fire reports24 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

123 reports
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95,000 miles · Aug 3, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, BUT RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED 50000 MILES LATER, BUT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHO…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, BUT RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED 50000 MILES LATER, BUT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #10164356

Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER REQUEST HELP TO FIX A 1996 CONTOUR. *TS THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED AND IT FAILED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEPT OF MOTOR VEHICLE THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SUBJECT TO AN EMISSION RECALL AS REPORTED BY THE EPA THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE O…

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CONSUMER REQUEST HELP TO FIX A 1996 CONTOUR. *TS THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED AND IT FAILED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEPT OF MOTOR VEHICLE THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SUBJECT TO AN EMISSION RECALL AS REPORTED BY THE EPA THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE ORIGINAL OWNER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN 1997 BUT THE CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10161554

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

CONSUMER HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE 1996 FORD CONTOUR.*MR THERE HAS BEEN SO MANY RECALLS ON CONSUMER'S VEHICLE THAT SHE WASN'T AWARE OF BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER NEVER SENT NOTICES. SINCE THEN CONSUMER HAS BEEN PAYING FOR ENTIRE FULL PRICE AND IS ASKING FOR REIMBURSEMENT. HOWEVER, THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE I…

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CONSUMER HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE 1996 FORD CONTOUR.*MR THERE HAS BEEN SO MANY RECALLS ON CONSUMER'S VEHICLE THAT SHE WASN'T AWARE OF BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER NEVER SENT NOTICES. SINCE THEN CONSUMER HAS BEEN PAYING FOR ENTIRE FULL PRICE AND IS ASKING FOR REIMBURSEMENT. HOWEVER, THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE IS THE GAS FUMES WHICH IS LEAKING THEREFORE LEAVING POISONOUS CARBON MONOXIDE FUMES COMING IN THROUGH THE HEATER VENTS. THESE HARSH CHEMICALS ARE DAMAGING TO THE LUNGS, BRAIN, RESPIRATORY SYSTEM AND ITS MAKING CONSUMER VERY TIRED AMONG OTHER SYMPTOMS. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10134493

66,000 miles · Jan 24, 2005
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

CAR STALLS WHEN PARALLEL PARKING, ESPECIALLY IN REVERSE, OR WHEN PARKING SLOPES. CAR STALLED WHEN STARTING UP FROM RED LIGHT IN CENTER CITY PHILADELPHIA INTERSECTIONS. HEADLAMPS OUT OF ALIGNMENT (DON'T SHINE DOWN ONTO ROAD, BEAMS NOT CENTERED). AIR BAG LIGHT ON CONTROL PANELS BLINKS SPORADICALLY, FREQUENTLY; ANXIETY THAT AIR …

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CAR STALLS WHEN PARALLEL PARKING, ESPECIALLY IN REVERSE, OR WHEN PARKING SLOPES. CAR STALLED WHEN STARTING UP FROM RED LIGHT IN CENTER CITY PHILADELPHIA INTERSECTIONS. HEADLAMPS OUT OF ALIGNMENT (DON'T SHINE DOWN ONTO ROAD, BEAMS NOT CENTERED). AIR BAG LIGHT ON CONTROL PANELS BLINKS SPORADICALLY, FREQUENTLY; ANXIETY THAT AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING. DEALER COMMENT ON STALLING: "PROBABLY SOMETHING STUPID" AND WASN'T ABLE TO FIX PROBLEM, MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT A VACUUM TUBE. DEALER CHARGED $95 TO TELL ME THAT THE MEMORY IN THE VEHICLE DIDN'T GIVE ANY CODES FOR THE STALLING OR AIR BAG PROBLEMS, THEN ADDED THAT THE MEMORY IS WIPED CLEAN EVERY TIME THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. QUESTION: IF THEY KNOW THAT ABOUT THE CAR IN THE FIRST PLACE, WHY CHARGE THE CUSTOMER FOR A POINTLESS DIAGNOSTIC? HEADLIGHTS STILL OUT OF ALIGNMENT AFTER HAVING BEEN "ADJUSTED" BY DEALER IN JANUARY 2005. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10107781

Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

I BOUGHT A 1996 FORD CONTOUR SE IN JUNE OF 2003.I HAVE SINCE REPLACED THE WATER PUMP 4 TIMES.I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A MAN WHO BLEW THE ENGINE BECUASE THE WATER PUMP WENT AND HE LET THE CAR OVER HEAT.I HAVE REPLACED IT IN OCT.2003,FEBRUARY 2004,JUNE 2004,AND DEC.2004.IT IS REALLY STARTED TO BECOME A BURDEN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10102233

106,035 miles · Jul 16, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

I BOUGHT IT ON 07/01/04. ON 07/02/04 MY ON WAS DRIVING IT, AND COUPLE OF TIMES, WHEM HE STOPPED ON STOP SIGNED, THE CAR WOULDN'T START. EVENTUALLY, IN THE EVENING, THERE WAS WHITE THICK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND CAR WAS STOPPED. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOWED IT TO THE MECHANIC SHOP. IT HAPPENED THAT THERE WAS…

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I BOUGHT IT ON 07/01/04. ON 07/02/04 MY ON WAS DRIVING IT, AND COUPLE OF TIMES, WHEM HE STOPPED ON STOP SIGNED, THE CAR WOULDN'T START. EVENTUALLY, IN THE EVENING, THERE WAS WHITE THICK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND CAR WAS STOPPED. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOWED IT TO THE MECHANIC SHOP. IT HAPPENED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL AND COOLANT AND ENDINE HAS GONE BAD. THE DEALER REFUSED TO PAY COMPLETELY FOR THE REPAIR, AND WE SPLIT IT 20/80% WHERE I'M TO PAY 80%. IT'S BEEN 2 WEEKS AND CAR IS STILL IN SHOP. I DIDN'T BUY IT TO SIT IN SHOP. IS THERE A WAY TO CORRECT THE SITUATION SOMEHOW?*AK

NHTSA ODI #10081196

1,200 miles · May 4, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLES SHUTS OFF FREQUENTLY. VEHICLE WON'T PASS EMISSIONS TEST. IT WON'T START, AND HAS TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10072060

112,000 miles · Mar 12, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

I DON'T KNOW IF ANY ONE THERE CAN HELP ME, BUT I JUST WANT SOME ONE JUST HEAR MY COMPLAINT. I PURCHASE A 96 FORD CONTOUR IN 1999 WITH VERY LOW MILEAGE. A YEAR AFTER I BROUGHT THAT CAR I BEGIN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THAT CAR. IT HAVE HAD 2 TRANSMISSION. IT HAVE HAD A LOT OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND NOW YESTERDAY THE MOTOR IS GONE. O…

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I DON'T KNOW IF ANY ONE THERE CAN HELP ME, BUT I JUST WANT SOME ONE JUST HEAR MY COMPLAINT. I PURCHASE A 96 FORD CONTOUR IN 1999 WITH VERY LOW MILEAGE. A YEAR AFTER I BROUGHT THAT CAR I BEGIN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THAT CAR. IT HAVE HAD 2 TRANSMISSION. IT HAVE HAD A LOT OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND NOW YESTERDAY THE MOTOR IS GONE. OVER THE YEARS I HAVE TALK TO THE FORD COMPANY BUT IT WAS ALWAYS IT WAS NOT ANY THING THEY COULD DO FOR MY CAR. THEY SHOULD HAVE STOOD BY THEY CARS BUT THEY. I FIRST PAID TO MUCH FOR THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP I BROUGHT THE CAR FROM WENT OUT OF BUSINESS. I WENT BACK TO THEM WHEN THE CAR FIRST START GIVING ME TROUBLE AND THE NEXT TIME I WENT TO THEM THEY HAD CLOSED DOWN. THE FORD COMPANY JUST DID NOT DO ME RIGHT AT ALL. WHAT HURT THE MOST I HAD PAID MY LAST CAR PAYMENT YESTERDAY AND NOW THE MOTOR IS GONE. I FEEL IF THEY WOULD HAVE LISTEN TO ME FROM THE BEGINNING MAYBE IT WOULDN'T HAD TO COME TO THIS. I TALK TO FORD ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. I HAD A LT OF ELECTRICAL TROUBLE AND FUMES USE TO ENTER THE CAR. I JUST BEEN THREW A LIVING NIGHTMARE WITH THIS. I DON'T CARE IF I GET ANY MONEY OR NOT I JUST WANT FOR SOME ONE TO HEAR MY COMPLAINT CAUS NO TELLING HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLES MAY HAVE EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEMS. FORD PEOPLE JUST DID ME SO WRONG. BUT I HAVE LEARN A GOOD LESSON . NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN. EVEN WHEN THE CALL HAD A RECALL I DON'T THINK THEY DID NOT FIX IT RIGHT. I KNOW ONCE YOU BUY A CAR AND YOU HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR CAR. I HAVE A ANOTHER 96 HONDA. I HAVE NEVER , EVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS AT ALL. IT JUST NO WAY WHY A CAR HAVE TO HAVE HAD SO MANY TRANSMISSIONS AND OTHER PROBLEMS LIKE THAT FORD HAVE GAVE ME. I AM SO HURT WITH THIS WHOLE SITUATION DON'T NO ONE KNOW AT THIS TIME HOW I FEEL. I AM JUST VERY, VERY HURT. THANK YOU VERY MUSH FOR LISTENING TO ME. HAVE A GOOD DAY!*AK

NHTSA ODI #10062026

64,000 miles · Mar 4, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE FAILURE WHILE ACCELERATING IN A PASSING ZONE.

NHTSA ODI #10060397

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

HEAD GASKET AND ENGINE FAILURE ON MY 1996 FORD CONTOUR AT 64,000 MILES. THE CAR WAS WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS IN A PASSING ZONE AND THE CAR FAILED TO ACCELERATE. FROM WHAT I CAN SEE OVER THE INTERNET, THIS IS AN ON-GOING PROBLEM WITH FORD.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10059039

Official recalls

8

01V230000 · Electrical System

Jul 9, 2001

ON CERTAIN MY 1996-1998 PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY, CUAUTITLAN ASSEMBLY PLANTS OR ON MY 1999 PASSENGER VEHCLES BUILT AT THE AUTOMOTIVE ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY PLANTS, THE ROUGH SURFACE OF THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR'S STAINLESS STEEL BLADES CAN DAMAGE THE COPPER SURFACE OF THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR. THE DAMAGE COULD, OVER TIME, CAUSE INCREASED RESISTANCE IN THE CONNECTOR AND, DUE TO SUBSEQUENT TERMINAL RELAXATION, RESULT IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE OPEN CIRCUIT COULD LEAD TO ELECTRICAL ARCING THAT COULD MELT THE CONNECTOR HOUSING MATERIAL CREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR AND A NEW WIRE JUMPER HARNESS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 29, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

00V367000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Nov 6, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1995 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.0L AND 2.5L ENGINES, AND 1996 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. TIGHTENING OF THE ENGINE COOLING FAN MOTOR BEARINGS, UP TO AND INCLUDING MOTOR STALL, CAN RESULT IN INCREASED MOTOR TORQUE AND HIGHER THAN NORMAL MOTOR CURRENT AND ACCOMPANYING HIGH MOTOR TEMPERATURES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: OVERHEATING OF THE COOLING FAN MOTOR DUE TO EXCESSIVE CURRENT CAN RESULT IN SMOKE AND ODORS FROM BEARING GREASE, INSULATION AND OTHER INTERNAL MOTOR COMPONENTS. IF ELECTRICAL CURRENT CONTINUES TO BE APPLIED TO THE MOTOR, INTERNAL MOTOR COMPONENTS COULD IGNITE POSSIBLY IGNITING OTHER ENGINE COMPARTMENT COMPONENTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A POSITIVE TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT DEVICE IN-LINE WITH EACH FAN MOTOR. FORD WILL ALSO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY TO A TOTAL OF 8 YEARS OF SERVICE OR 100,000 MILES FROM THE WARRANTY START DATE, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. IF THE VEHICLE ALREADY HAS MORE THAN 100,000 MILES, THIS COVERAGE WILL LAST UNTIL JULY 31, 2001.

00V075000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components

Mar 9, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). A PRESSURE CONSCIOUS REDUCING VALVE (PCRV) IN THE REAR BRAKES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CORROSION AND RESULT IN MALFUNCTION, WHEN OPERATED IN AREAS THAT USE SALT COMPOUNDS ON THE ROADWAY FOR DE-ICING OR DUST CONTROL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF BOTH PCRV'S MALFUNCTION, VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED DURING BRAKING AS A RESULT OF THE REAR WHEELS LOCKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL IMPROVED PCRV'S IN THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS RECALL WAS EXPANDED IN SEPTEMBER 2000 TO INCLUDE 1999 AND 2000 FORD CONTOUR, MERCURY MYSTIQUE AND COUGAR VEHICLES.

99V247000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

Sep 13, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FUEL FILLER PIPE VENT HOSE MAY HAVE LESS THAN THE INTENDED LEVEL OF OZONE RESISTANCE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE HOSE BECOMING BRITTLE AND CRACKING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A CRACKED HOSE COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING FUELED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUEL FILLER VENT HOSE CONTACTING THE APPROPRIATE BLEND OF PVC AND NITRILE RUBBER.

99V103000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

May 5, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TERMINALS AT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN EXPERIENCE HEAT DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF OVERHEATING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN DISTORTION OF THE TERMINAL CAUSING AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION, PARKING LAMP, AND TAIL LAMP CIRCUITS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLAMP SWITCH WIRING CONNECTOR CONTAINING BRONZE TERMINALS AND AN INSPECTION, AND REPLACEMENT IF NECESSARY, OF THE HEADLAMP SWITCH.

98V233000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

Sep 18, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FLOOR SHIFT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL CAN BE DAMAGED IF SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN INTERIOR CLEANING PRODUCTS. THE GEAR POSITION INDICATOR CAN DETERIORATE AND NOT CORRECTLY INDICATE THE ACTUAL GEAR POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INCORRECT GEAR SELECTION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL.

97V225000 · Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Dec 8, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL OPTION. THE THROTTLE CABLES WERE DAMAGED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY LEADING TO FRAYING OR SEPARATION OF THE THROTTLE CABLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT THE ENGINE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE CABLE WITH A REVISED DESIGN THAT IS LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO BENDING OR KINKING DURING INSTALLATION.

97V203000 · Fuel System, Other:storage

Nov 17, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BI-FUEL VEHICLES MODIFIED TO RUN ON EITHER GASOLINE OR COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG). THE NATURAL GAS FUEL TANKS HAVE A SOLENOID SHUT-OFF VALVE THAT STOPS FUEL FLOW FROM THE FUEL TANK IN THE EVENT OF CERTAIN MODERATE TO SEVERE COLLISIONS. IF THE VEHICLE IS IN A COLLISION AND THE NATURAL GAS FUEL LINE IS DAMAGED, THE SYSTEM COULD LEAK NATURAL GAS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: FORD HAS REQUESTED OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES TO HAVE THE CNG FUEL SYSTEM DISABLED UNDER A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN AND TO ONLY USE GASOLINE FUEL UNTIL A PERMANENT CORRECTIVE ACTION IS DEVELOPED. OWNERS ARE BEING ALERTED TO THIS SOLENOID VALVE CONCERN AT THIS TIME. THE TIMING OF CORRECTIVE ACTIONS IS BEING DELAYED TO ALLOW BOTH CONDITIONS TO BE REMEDIED AT ONE TIME. IN THE MEANTIME, THERE IS NOT RISK AS LONG AS THE NATURAL GAS SYSTEM HAS BEEN DISABLED AND THE VHEICLE IS ONLY OPERATED ON GASOLINE.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

5

RQ02006 · Incorrect Gear Indication

Opened Feb 26, 2002 · Closed Sep 12, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train

There is no summary currently available

EA01001 · Blower Switch/resistor Or Wiring Harness

Opened Jan 5, 2001 · Closed Jul 31, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

PE00023 · Blower Switch/resistor Or Wiring Harness

Opened Jun 14, 2000 · Closed Jan 5, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

RQ99019 · Various Intermittent Electrical Issues

Opened Sep 15, 1999 · Closed Mar 7, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other

There is no summary currently available

PE98063 · Headlight Switch

Opened Dec 3, 1998 · Closed May 10, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting

ODI OPENED THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION ON DECEMBER 3, 1989 BASED ON FIVE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, ALL OF WHICH MENTIONED CONCERNS CENTERED ON THE DASHBOARD-MOUNTED HEADLIGHT SWITCH.THESE CONCERNS INCLUDED AN ALLEGATION OF THE SWITCH CATCHING FIRE, AN ALLEGATION OF HEADLIGHT LOSS, AND THREE ALLEGATIONS OF INSTRUMENT PANEL AND TAIL LIGHT OUTAGES.THREE OF THE REPORTS SPECIFICALLY IDENTIFIED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND ITS ASSOCIATED WIRING AS HAVING BEEN HEAT DAMAGED.FORD INVESTIGATIONS HAVE FOUND THAT OVERHEATING OF AN ELECTRICAL TERMINAL AT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH CONNECTOR CAUSES LOSS OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND TAIL LIGHTS.FORD WILL REMEDY THIS CONDITION IN 1996-1998 MODEL CONTOUR AND MYSTIQUE VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM APRIL 20, 1995 THROUGH AUGUST 12, 1998 AND AT THE CAUTITLAN, MEXICO ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM JUNE 13, 1995 THROUGH AUGUST 24, 1998 UNDER RECALL 99V-103.THE REMEDY INVOLVES REPLACEMENT OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH CONNECTOR AND IF NECESSARY, THE SWITCH ITSELF.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS CLOSED.