Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
The parking brake wouldn't release. We towed the car to midas. The inspection identified normal brake wear, but also serious front end deficiencies. The manager told us both front coil springs were broken and had been broken for some time, causing one strut to bend. He said had the second strut bent or broke, the car body would have dropped down onto the tires. He said the car was unsafe to drive.
Was traveling 60mph & driver lost control of vehicle. Had swerved first left & went off road & then swerved to the right into 30ft ditch. Vehicle towed to mechanic & was informed the left ball joint had broken which caused loss of vehicle control. The vehicle was totaled. Driver/passengers suffered injuries.
Driving 60mph. Heard popping noises. Vehicle uncontrollable. Went off road & down 30ft embankment & flipped over twice. Mechanic checked & noticed left front lower ball joint had fallen out. This caused a loss of control. 4 people were injured & everyone was wearing seat belts.
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.
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 heard a loud noise coming from the front of the car everytime I drove over any surface that was not flat. Without taking the car apart a mechanic told me it was possibly the struts that needed to be replaced. It turns out that the right front coil spring was broken and I was told that Ford would have to repair the problem and this was not normal. I took my car to the Ford repair shop and they replaced both front coil springs for $632.00. I was later told that their was a program to replace defective coil springs for free but it ended months before my coil springs had broken
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.
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.
When traveling at any speed the vehicle cuts off without prior warning, causing loss of all power. In addition, the steering wheel shakes when traveling over 60 MPH, resulting in poor steering control. Consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer unable to determine the cause. Please provide any further details.
Suspension complaints in other Contour years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 1996 Ford Contour?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the suspension of the 1996 Ford Contour, 7% of the model year's 563 complaints. The component named most often is front (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Ford Contour suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 8 injuries to suspension 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.