Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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).
Left and right front ABS stators have cracks which are clearly visible. This causes the ABS system to activate on a low speed stop. At about 40 MPH the ABS light comes on and the system doesn't work.the brakes work in regular mode.this was discovered on 6/21/05 but had been happening . Mechanic changed an ABS sensor wire with a cut in it . Had to look further to find cracked stators.mechanic said that the Ford dealership he called admitted there was a problem with some models,cracked stators on windstars,offered no solution. I called my Ford dealer and was not helped .a part like this bears no weight and should not be failing.the cracks make the computer think there is a reason to activate and then at 40mph to shut down.the rear stators were not checked for cracks yet. Thank you
Whenever I turn on the heater, A/C, defrost, or fan my ABS light turns on and my brakes are spongy. I have lost all brakes on two occasions when the ABS light came on. When my car sits for a weekend, the battery dies. Installed a new battery, still dies. Ford cannot find a cause for either problem. I have taken my car in to have the wiring harness changed for the lights, those went out. Also, my A/C fuse had caught fire, whole fuse box and blower was replaced.
In October, 2000, on a highway offramp, the brake pedal went fully to the floor. Car crashed into the rear of another vehicle with approx. $5000 damage to my car. In mid-December, 2000, my daughter was driving the car and pedal once again went straight to floor. She pumped once, brake worked, avoided accident. Will install new master cylinder on technician's suggestion. At 77 years old I am afraid of the next occurrence. Have others had this experience??
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.
While driving about 20 MPH next to a close curve saw a deer in front of vehicle on road. Tried to avoid hitting it by stepping on brakes. They locked up, and vehicle rolled over. None of front air bags deployed.
While driving the ABS light illuminated on the dash intermittently. When this occurred the anti lock brakes engaged prematurely. The ABS would then disengage and the brakes would lock up.
I got this car in April 96. I have had it in the shop several times because the car just completely loses power without any warning at all. It locks up the steering and brakes. It happens at all speeds and in varying temperatures. They have never been able to find the problem. The most recent episode was jan 14, 2001. Sometimes I have to tow the car, other times it will start back up. This last time it started back up after about 5 minutes. Fortunately, other drivers have been paying attention, and I haven't been killed. This car has also experienced: check engine light always on...dealer cannot find problem, but charges $110 to diagnose it each time!....the accelerator pedal cable broke in 2000. Again, fortunately, I was in my neighborhood and no cars nailed me. The paint on this car is beginning to peel/crack even though it is garage kept. …
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.
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.
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.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
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.
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.
Brake complaints in other Contour years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1996 Ford Contour?
NHTSA has 49 complaints about the brakes of the 1996 Ford Contour, 9% of the model year's 563 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Ford Contour brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V-075 (foundation components, Mar 9, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1996 Ford Contour brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 2 fires and 3 injuries to brakes 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.