Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (air conditioning, heater, defroster, HVAC controls).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Ford Contour owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl 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.
While driving the heater and air conditioner fan switch overheated and caught fire. The owner was able to put out fire. The vehicle has been repaired by dealership. The connector and fan switch was replaced by the dealership.
Ac/heater/defroster/blower part that was defective has been recalled, but Ford refuses to cover under this recall the A/C compressor, which failed prematurely. Chris early, at joe machens Ford, columbia, mo, informed me that the compressor has nothing at all to do with the ac/heater/defroster/blower, and so, will not cover the work under this recall. I find it hard to believe that the A/C compressor has nothing to do with the ac/heater/defroster/blower and its problem (blowing air quite hard, but with none coming out the vents, and not heating or cooling the car/defrosting the window). Though I have had the car in 9 or 10 times to have the ac/heater/defroster/blower problem fixed, I still have trouble with it from time to time. Surely this kind of strain caused the A/C compressor to work harder, and be subject to undue stress and therefore immature wear and tear and ultimately failure. …
Ac switch and blower speed not working properly. Mechanic said: "found burnt blower motor resistor, hi blower motor resistance affected circuit. Melter resistor and harness." later mechanic also said it need a new ac dash switch and wiring harness. A total cost of about $600.00. I don't understand how a high resistance causes increased current and thus burn up the resistor and wiring. I believe that the resistor had a short and the excessive current burned up the resistor and the wiring. I don't know whether the blower is damaged or not. This faulty resistor is a manufacturing defect and could have caused a serious fire under the dash. Therefore the manufacturer should repair the damage. The manufacturer's representative says that the car is four months over the warranty period and even though it had only 27,000 + miles, the manufacturer would not repair the damage. …
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 contours & 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. …
In October 1999 I had my heater fan fixed because of a recall. Within 12 months it broke again and the company fixed again on 8/30/00. In December it broke again which is less than 6 months. I called brunswick Ford and they said I would have to pay to have it fixed because Ford motor wouldn't cover only once to fix the item. I called Ford motor and complained because it keeps breaking and they said that it was fixed and didn't care that it had broken 2 times and less time between each. They said that the vehicle was older and so many miles that that probably was why it kept breaking. I was very frustrated and felt there was no where to turn. Once the recall is fixed is there a time limit or mileage limit that should pertain?
The blower fan was replaced by the dealer because of a recall. It lasted about 3 months and proceeded to break again. This time the dealer stated that I had to replace the fuse panel in the car. I took the car to a local mechanic and he reaffirm the defect. They also stated that they rarely had to replace a fuse panel. In addition to this repair, both power window regulators went out on the driver and passenger front sides of the car. The company that did the repair said this is very common in Ford vehicles. I contacted the regional office of Ford and they would not give me any restitution on these repairs.
Problems with 1996 Ford Contour front brakes, transmission, fuse box, heater blower motor, electrical and steering and suspension. 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.
Consumer has had numerous problems with the 1996 Ford Contour. 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.
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.
AC & Heater complaints in other Contour years
Frequently asked questions
How common are ac & heater problems on the 1996 Ford Contour?
NHTSA has 51 complaints about the a/c & heater of the 1996 Ford Contour, 9% of the model year's 563 complaints. The component named most often is appliance › air conditioner (33 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Ford Contour ac & heater problems?
No. NHTSA lists no a/c & heater recall for the 1996 Ford Contour, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1996 Ford Contour ac & heater problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 130,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to a/c & heater problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.