Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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).
Had the drivers side power window repaired today, as well as passenger front side window repaired in July 2002. Both window regulators had to be replaced at a cost of approximately $700 for both. The mechanics informed me this is a very common problem with this vehicle, which would seem to show a major manufacturer defect. Please pursue a recall repair on this vehicle so customers can be properly compensated.
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.
I bought this car because I was told it was the best buy for my money and seeing I am a single mom I needed a dependable car and this has turned out to be the car of my nightmares. The dealership I bought it from was dishonest all the way down the road know that I had little money to pay for a car let alone to keep taking it in for repairs. I asked northgate Ford to help me out on buying a car because I have not done this on my own before and to keep in mind the fact that I could be one of there sisters and really need them to help me to buy a car that wasn't gonna have a bunch of troubles. They agreed with helping me out and come to find out I have never been so screwed in my life. My goal is to buy a brand new car in 5 years or so and I will still buy Ford but it won't be through northgate Ford. I think northgate must have forgotten the rule of thumb "one unsatisfied person tells 10". …
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. …
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.
The window regulators on the Ford Contour are defective. The materials used are bend, crack, and break causing the windows to either fall into the door, or to become stuck when being rolled up or down. I have replaced the driver side door regulator 16 months ago thinking this was a one time occurrence but now find the passenger side one has the same problem. The dealer has admitted this is a fairly common problem with this vehicle. I have the original parts for the driver side door in my position and on inspection it is clear to see that the manufacturing of the material is faulty, under extreme stress which could lead to the collapse of the assembly. This of course would be a major concern if the window would collapse into the door frame while the vehicle was in motion.
I can tell by the marks on the passanger side door that the window assembly was replaced prior to my buying the car. Since I bought the car the drivers side window got stuck down and seeing the cost of the part and labor I couldn't afford to get it fixed so the guy just put the window in the up possision for me. The back drivers side window is so loose that I can't roll it down because it rattles too much. The gas pedel sticks all the time. I can be going whatever speed l;imit and have to hit the gas real quick to get it to slow down and when I get ready to go the pedel is stuck again and I have to push hard and then it all of a sudden goes with a jerk. This has been the car from hell.
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.
The rear power window on the passenger side does not work. The moulding on the outside of the rear windows has been loose ever since the I bought the car. The carpeting in the rear of the car has been loose/ hasn't fit ever since I bought the car. The blower no longer blows through the panel vents--only through the defroster/defogger vents.
While driving the rear window fell out of the housing onto the roadway, the consumer had replaced the window in July 2000, the officer inspected the window and found that the window seal appeared old and rusty. (ohio traffic crash report)
Window & Wiper complaints in other Contour years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1996 Ford Contour?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1996 Ford Contour, 4% of the model year's 563 complaints. The component named most often is power window devices and controls (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Ford Contour window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 130,000 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.