Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle was not included in NHTSA recall #99V247000, regarding fuel; hoses/lines/pipes/fittings due to the VIN. Having similar problems the manufacturer parts were replaced by an independent service dealer, but the problem recurred. Fuel was dripping onto the tail pipe. The service dealer and manufacturer were notified. Updated 10/04/06.
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.
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.
I have only had the vehicle since February 14th this year. I can not fill my gas tank all the way full. It has been leaking gas every time I do. I have tried several times at different stores when I gas up my car to see if it was because I had been parked on an incline. It does not matter if I am on level ground it still leaves a puddle under my car. It is worse if I park on anything but level ground . Please let me know if there is anyway to fix the problem.
Work was previously performed on consumer's vehicle for recall 99V247000. Consumer is now having the problem of fuel leaking when he fills fuel tank. Dealership informed him that recall work has been performed already, and it was now consumer's responsibility. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
Vehicle was leaking fuel onto the ground whenever consumer filled the tank up with fuel. Took vehicle to dealer shop, and dealer informed consumer that fuel filler neck had a crack and needs replacement. Consumer would like to know is this normal for this part to be defective. Vehicle have only 46,000 miles of wear.
Fuel vapor leakage occurs causing heavy fuel smell from under vehicle. This was caused by fuel pump which had no rubber cap. The cause for gas vapor leak was found to be defective fuel tank seal at the fuel pump unit, and was fixed. The consumer states it was a manufacturing defect.
I received a card that said: danger, the Ford that you are driving is involved in a product safety campaign #99525 and needs immediate attention. What is the safety campaign about? We bought this vehicle used and the original car dealer is in another state. What is wrong with the car?
Since purchase of vehicle when driving through a puddle of water or in rain, power steering will go out. At that time alernator light comes on, has been to dealer numerous times for this , seems to be a design flaw. Also, filling up with gasoline vehicle will smell for long time.
I smell gasoline, and when I fill my car with gasoline it leaks. I have had it looked at by a mechanic and it has been determined that it is the fuel fill pipe vent hose. I have spoken with Ford and they tell me that my vehicle is not covered under the recall.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
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.
Remedy: Dealers will install a fuel filler vent hose contacting the appropriate blend of pvc and nitrile rubber.
Fuel system, other › Storage
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.
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.
Fuel System complaints in other Contour years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 1996 Ford Contour?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1996 Ford Contour, 5% of the model year's 563 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Ford Contour fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 99V-247 (filler pipe and cap, Sep 13, 1999); NHTSA recall 97V-203 (storage, Nov 17, 1997). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1996 Ford Contour fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 127,000 miles.
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.