1996 Ford Contour Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline Problems
NHTSA component category: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 563 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 1996 Ford Contour overview page.
What owners report
“SMOKE IS COMING OUT OF THE VEHICLE, AND OIL IS LEAKING. ALSO, KNOCKING SOUND IS BEING HEARD. OIL IS IN THE COOLANT, AND COMING OUT…”NHTSA complaint 837998 — filed 05/17/1999
“DEALER UNABLE TO FIX HESATATION- THEN WHEN SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED VIBRATION OCCURRED”NHTSA complaint 701460 — filed 12/18/1998
“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…”NHTSA complaint 826469 — filed 08/10/1998
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 1996 Ford Contour have engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline problems?
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline is the most-reported problem area on the 1996 Ford Contour: 52 of 563 complaints on file (9.2%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 1996 Ford Contour have in total?
563 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 35 involved a crash, 24 involved a fire, 39 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
