Problems · by component

1996 Ford Contour visibility problems

40 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 1996 Ford Contour cite visibility, 7% of all 581 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
40
7% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the visibility

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“BLOWER MOTOR FAILURE. THE BLOWER CONTROLS THE DEFROSTER AND HEATER. THE FAILURE RESULTS IN FOG, FROST ETC SO VISIBILITY IS GREATLY LIMITED. IF ONE CAN SEE WELL AN ACCIDENT IS POSSIBLE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 3, 2009Electrical system, VisibilityODI 10279197
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CONTOUR. THE HEATER FAN MOTOR FOR THE DEFROSTER FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAN SWITCH FAILED AND WOULD COST $58 TO REPAIR. THE DEALER KEPT CHANGING THE DIAGNOSIS UNTIL THE CONTACT SPENT $271; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS STILL NOT REPAIRED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01I009000 (VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM: WINDSHIELD: CONTROLS/WIRING) WAS REFERENCED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PASSED THE TEN YEAR FREE PERIOD. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 131,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 9, 2007VisibilityODI 10208516
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 12, 2005Suspension, Service brakes, hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, gasoline, Power train, Electrical system, VisibilityODI 10134493
“THIS CAR HAS LESS THAN 70000 MILES ON IT. WE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE FUEL DOOR, FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, BRAKES, DOOR HANDLES, TRANSMISSION, ELECTRIC WINDOWS, AND NOW AS A SPECIAL TREAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THIS CAR HAS BEEN THE WORST INVESTMENT THAT MY WIFE AND I HAVE EVER MADE. I HAVE HAVE OWNED SEVERAL CARS AND TRUCKS WITH 200000 PLUS MILES ON THEM AND NONE OF THEM HAVE EVER BEEN AS PROBLEMATIC AS THIS AUTOMOBILE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 15, 2004Service brakes, hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Visibility, Equipment, Unknown or otherODI 10069333
“PROBLEMS WITH 1996 FORD CONTOUR FRONT BRAKES, TRANSMISSION, FUSE BOX, HEATER BLOWER MOTOR, ELECTRICAL AND STEERING AND SUSPENSION. *MR FOR THE SECOND TIME, THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES MAKING A LOUD RUBBING SOUND, THE STABILIZER BAR WAS REPLACED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING, WATER WAS INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT SEALS, WHICH MADE THE LIGHTS VERY DIM, THE SELECTOR MODE SWITCH ON THE HEATER MOTOR BLOWER DID NOT WORK PROPERLY, WHICH MADE THE HEAT NOT WORK AT A 100%. THE UPPER BALL JOINTS, RACK AND PINION AND WHEEL BEARING WERE ALL DEFECTIVE. *JB *NM”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 24, 2003Steering, Suspension, Service brakes, hydraulic, Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, VisibilityODI 10048678
“HAD RECEIVED SEVERAL RECALLS ON VEHICLE SPRINGS, RECALL 01V230000, AND HEATER BLOWER SENSOR, RECALL 01I009000. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP'S MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES TO HAVE REPAIRS DONE, EVEN LEFT VEHICLE WITH MECHANIC. RECEIVED CALL TO PICK UP VEHICLE, AND ALSO INFORMED NONE OF THE RECALLS WERE EVER REPAIRED. MECHANIC REFUSED TO COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIRS. BRAMVIEW FORD; QUEEN ST; BRAMPTON ONTARIO CANADA; 9054511041. *AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 24, 2003Suspension, VisibilityODI 10024777

Showing 6 of 40 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Visibility: defroster

Free remedy

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.

VisibilityReported Jul 9, 2001NHTSA 01I009000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.