Ford Contour 1996

• Recall 80483 [USA]: The nuts included in the packaging for these ball joint assemblies are missing the intended prevailing torque (self-locking) feature. if the incorrect nut was to become loose, the joining members may loosen leading to a separation of the ball joint. this may result in loss of vehicle control, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
  Federal mogul is recalling 6,903 aftermarket ball joint assemblies shipped between november 9, 2007 and march 26, 2008, which may have been packaged with incorrect nuts. The part numbers packaged with incorrect nuts are: k7147, k7329, k8683, and 104353. These parts were made for use on the various vehicles listed above.
  federal mogul will notify owners and replace the parts free of charge. The recall began on may 22, 2008. Owners can contact federal mogul at 877-489-6659.
  this recall only pertains to aftermarket ball joint assemblies and has no relation to any original equipment installed on vehicles manufactured by the vehicle manufacturers.Customers may contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.Safercar.Gov.

  Show Content

• Recall 59407 [USA]: Loss of brake fluid can lead to a decrease in brake line pressure and an increase in stopping distance, which can result in a vehicle crash.
  Certain aftermarket brake hydraulic master cylinders sold as replacement brake cylinders for certain ford, daimlerchrysler, and jeep passenger vehicles. These brake cylinders were sold under the brand names of napa, raybestos, aimco, ac delco, carquest, bendix, and wagner. Only products that were manufactured from july 27, 2005 through january 17, 2006 (date codes 0529 through 0602) are subject to this recall. When subject to very cold temperatures, an internal seal in the master cylinder could lose flexibility and may cause brake fluid to leak.
  affinia (brake parts, inc.) will replace the subject brake hydraulic master cylinders free of charge. The recall began on march 20, 2006. Owners can contact affina group customer service at 1-800-323-0354.
  this recall only pertains to aftermarket napa, raybestos, ac delco, aimco, carquest, and bendix brake hydraulic master cylinders and has no relation to any original equipment installed on daimlerchrysler or ford vehicles.Customers may contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.Safercar.Gov.

  Show Content

• Recall 5616 [USA]: This could create the potential for a fire.
  This is not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act. However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. Vehicle description: 1995-1997 ford contour and mercury mystique vehicles. The heater blower resistor could overheat causing the attached electrical connector to melt.
  ford will provide additional warranty coverage for the heater blower switch for 10 years from original date of sale of the vehicle or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first. Dealers will install a new heater blower resistor and a new wire jumper harness free of charge.
  ford has decided to conduct an extended coverage program to extend the warranty coverage for potential heather blower resistor problems. Owners can contact ford at1-866-436-7332, concerning this program.

  Show Content

• Recall 6250 [USA]: The open circuit could lead to electrical arcing that could melt the connector housing material creasing the potential for a fire.
  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.
  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.
  ford recall no.01s22.Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

  Show Content

• Recall 6533 [USA]: 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.
  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.
  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.
  owner notification began february 5, 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. Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

  Show Content

• Recall 7826 [USA]: 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.
  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.
  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.
  owner notification began april 3, 2000 for the 1996-1998 model vehicles and on october 11, 2000, for the 1999-2000 model vehicles.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. Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

  Show Content

• Recall 9890 [USA]: A cracked hose could result in fuel leakage when the vehicle is being fueled.
  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.
  dealers will install a fuel filler vent hose contacting the appropriate blend of pvc and nitrile rubber.
  ford recall no. 99s24. Owner notification began october 11, 1999.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.Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

  Show Content

• Recall 8749 [USA]: The damage could result in distortion of the terminal causing an open circuit in the instrument panel illumination, parking lamp, and tail lamp circuits.
  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The terminals at the headlight switch and wiring harness connector can experience heat damage as a result of overheating.
  dealers will install a headlamp switch wiring connector containing bronze terminals and an inspection, and replacement if necessary, of the headlamp switch.
  owner notification began july 16, 1999. 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.Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

  Show Content

• Recall 10901 [USA]: This condition can result in incorrect gear selection.
  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.
  dealers will replace the automatic transmission floor shift control.
  owner notification began november 20, 1998.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.Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

  Show Content

• Recall 13972 [USA]: This condition could prevent the engine from returning to idle.
  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.
  dealers will replace the throttle cable with a revised design that is less susceptible to bending or kinking during installation.
  owner notification is expected to begin january 13, 1998. 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.Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.

  Show Content

• Recall 15791 [USA]: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
  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.
  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.
  owner notification began february 9, 1998.Owners will be notified when service kits are available.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.Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.

  Show Content

• Recall 2001195 [Canada]: Powertrain
  Certain passenger vehicles. 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. The heater blower resistor may overheat causing the attached electrical connector to melt, creating the potential for a fire. Correction: dealers will install a new heater blower resistor and a new wire jumper harness.

  Show Content

• Recall 2000077 [Canada]: Brakes
  On certain vehicles, the pressure conscious reducing valve (pcrv) in each of the rear brakes may be subject to malfunction due to corrosion when operated in areas of high road salt use. If both pcrvs malfunction, vehicle handling may be adversely affected during braking as a result of the rear wheels locking, which could potentially result in a vehicle crash. Correction: dealers will install improved pcrvs in the rear brake system.

  Show Content

• Recall 2000284 [Canada]: Electrical
  On certain vehicles equipped with 2.5 litre v6 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. 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. Correction: dealers will install a positive temperature coefficient device (a solid state resettable fuse-like device) in-line with each fan motor.

  Show Content

• Recall 1999094 [Canada]: Lights and instruments
  On certain vehicles, the terminals at the headlight switch and wiring harness connector may experience heat damage as a result of overheating. This can cause distortion of the terminal and an open circuit in the instrument panel illumination, parking lamp and tail lamp circuits. Correction: dealers will install a headlamp switch wiring connector containing bronze terminals and inspect and if necessary, replace the headlamp switch.

  Show Content

• Recall 1999166 [Canada]: Fuel supply
  On certain 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. A cracked hose could result in fuel leakage when the vehicle is being fueled. Fuel leakage in sufficient quantity in the presence of an ignition source could potentially result in a fire. Correction: dealers will install a fuel filler vent hose containing the appropriate blend of pvc and nitrile rubber.

  Show Content

• Recall 1998103 [Canada]: Emissions
  Note: vehicles equipped with 2.5 litre engines. These vehicles may not comply with c.M.V.S.S. 1103 - exhaust emissions. Premature failure of the catalyst substrate material in the catalyst and exhaust manifold assemblies (light-off catalysts) can result in restricted exhaust gas flow, loss of power and exhaust emission levels in excess of those specified in the standard. Correction: left and right hand light-off catalysts will be replaced. Underbody catalyst will be inspected and replaced if necessary.

  Show Content

• Recall 1998208 [Canada]: Powertrain
  On certain vehicles, the floor shift automatic transmission control may be damaged if subjected to certain vehicle interior cleaning products. If exposed to these products, the transmission gear position indicator may deteriorate and not correctly indicate the actual gear position. If this occurs, the shifter will continue to operate normally, but there is the potential for incorrect gear selection. Correction: automatic transmission floor shift control will be replaced.

  Show Content

• Recall 1997221 [Canada]: Engine
  Note: only vehicles equipped with the traction control option are involved. The throttle cables on these vehicles may have been damaged during vehicle assembly. This may lead to fraying or separation of the throttle cable, which could prevent the engine from returning to idle. This could adversely affect vehicle control. Correction: throttle cable will be replaced with a revised design version.

  Show Content

To ensure accuracy and for your safety, it is recommended to do a free VIN recall check here or here [USA] - UK - Canada.

Bulletins are notices put out by manufacturers in conjunction with the NHTSA to notify the public of manufacturing issues or changes.

• Incorrect gear indication investigation # RQ02006

  There is no summary currently available
  

  Show Content

• Blower switch/resistor or wiring harness investigation # EA01001

  There is no summary currently available
  

  Show Content

• Various intermittent electrical issues investigation # RQ99019

  There is no summary currently available
  

  Show Content

• Headlight switch investigation # PE98063

  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.
  

  Show Content

My car was recalled in 2001. The past 6 mo my electrical system smells like its burning or something melting. Almost like its going to catch on fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 ford contour. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, it would fail to start due to a melted wire in the engine. In addition, the contact stated that the odometer failed to provide the accurate reading. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 ford contour. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the taillight and front panel failed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

Car was purchased from a used car dealer on 8/11/15. The car has 58606 miles on it. The transmission had to be replaced due to electrical issues caused by a faulty wiring harness. Wiring harness was under the owner notification and not repaired. Ford has not offered any type of assistance and mechanic says the car is a fire hazard and harness has to be replaced. Contacted ford who said the car was not under any type of recall and they no longer make the part.

I purchased a used 1996 ford contour for my granddaughter and after a few days the check engine light came on. My mechanic diagnosed the problem and fixed it. A few miles down the road it came back on. After further diagnostics it was found that the engine wiring harness was bad. The insulation on the wires was flaking off and in one spot the wire bundle covering had melted. Research on line showed that ford had a recall on this problem (99m03) and extended the recall for 10 years. In an attempt to repair the problem with a different wiring harness has proved to be a loosing battle i contacted ford and they said that they no longer build this part and that they had no parts in stock throughout the usa. I tried salvage yards and there are no good parts out there. How can a used car lot sell cars without looking into safety recalls on the vehicles. I have no recourse but to junk the car and take a $3000 loss. Is there any help out there? *tr

My car had been having many issues .Fixing what we thought were the problem we found that the electrical connected to the cooling fan was melted as well as many problems in wire harnesses in front of engine.. It is very apparent the wiring is defective and caused melting n burn wires throughout the wiring system. I have had 4 mechanics look at it and was told by all that this make n model is very well known for this electrical issue. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford contour. While operating the vehicle in reverse, the contact noticed that the vehicle lost power without warning. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who performed a diagnostic test which concluded that the wiring harness was corroded and cracked. The mechanic confirmed that the vehicle needed to be repaired. The vehicle was included in recall number: 01v230000 (electrical system); however, since the recall had expired the dealer was not willing to offer any assistance. They advised the contact to locate a wiring harness at a junk yard for installation. The contact did not inform the manufacturer nor was the vehicle repaired due to the cost. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. Updated 5/2/11 *cn updated 1/11/11 *cn

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 ford contour. While parked, the contact smelled smoke and noticed flames near the rear of the radio and the center column that divided the front and rear driver side doors. The contact was able to extinguish the flames herself. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics. There was a recall under nhtsa campaign id number: 01v230000 (electrical system) that could possibly have been related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised that the vin was not included in the recall. The contact stated the failure affected the exterior lighting and interior lighting of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 62,922.

I printed out all of the recalls on 1996, ford contour but when i went to the ford place they said the recalls are not on my particular car. So is that so? That cars are made in batches and only certain batches are recalled. I have a 1996 ford contour, 4 cylinder motor. That does have all of the problems on the recall list for my car. *tr

Common OBD-II Error Codes

• P0731 [1] Gear I Incorrect ratio
• P0732 [1] Gear 2 Incorrect ratio
• P0734 [1] Gear 4 Incorrect ratio
• P0401 [1] Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow Insufficient Detected
• P1407 [1] EGR Metering Orifice Restricted
• P0420 [1] Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)
• P0430 [1] Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2)
• P0171 [2] System too Lean (Bank 1)
• P0172 [1] System too Rich (Bank 1)
• P0300 [3] Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected
• P0301 [3] Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected
• P0302 [3] Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected
• P0303 [3] Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected
• P0304 [3] Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected
• P0305 [3] Cylinder 5 Misfire Detected
• P0306 [3] Cylinder 6 Misfire Detected
• P0741 [4] Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Performance or Stuck Off
• P1401 [1] Glow Plug Monitor Fault (Bank #2)
• P0307 [2] Cylinder 7 Misfire Detected
• P0308 [2] Cylinder 8 Misfire Detected