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CarMonitor

Transport Canada + NRCan

1996 Ford Contour

Everything Canada’s open data holds on this vehicle: what has been recalled, what it costs to run, and how efficient it is compared with everything else on the road.

Recalls

8

8 current

Combined

10.1L/100 km

Fuel, a year

$3,131

20,000 km, Ontario prices

Recalls

Good news: Recall repairs cost you nothing. Book with any manufacturer dealer and quote the recall number — no time limit, however many owners the vehicle has had.

Powertrain

Transport Canada recall 2001195 · manufacturer campaign 01S22

16 July 2001

Transport Canada lists: Contour 1996–1998 · Cougar 1998 · Mystique 1996–1998

What is wrong

Certain passenger vehicles. The rough surface of the heater blower resistor's stainless steel blades can damage the copper surface of the wiring harness connector. The damage could, over time, cause increased resistance in the connector and, due to subsequent terminal relaxation, result in an open circuit condition. The heater blower resistor may overheat causing the attached electrical connector to melt, creating the potential for a fire.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will install a new heater blower resistor and a new wire jumper harness.

28,272 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Electrical

Transport Canada recall 2000284 · manufacturer campaign 00S44

29 November 2000

Transport Canada lists: Contour 1995–1996 · Mystique 1995–1996

What is wrong

On certain vehicles equipped with 2.5 litre V6 engines, tightening of the engine cooling fan motor bearings, up to and including motor stall, can result in increased motor torque and higher than normal motor current and accompanying high motor temperatures. Overheating of the cooling fan motor due to excessive current can result in smoke and odors from bearing grease, insulation and other internal motor components. If electrical current continues to be applied to the motor, internal motor components could ignite possibly igniting other engine compartment components.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will install a Positive Temperature Coefficient device (a solid state resettable fuse-like device) in-line with each fan motor.

22,561 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Brakes

Transport Canada recall 2000077 · manufacturer campaign 00S03

21 March 2000

Transport Canada lists: Contour 1996–2000 · Cougar 1999–2000 · Mystique 1996–2000

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the pressure conscious reducing valve (PCRV) in each of the rear brakes may be subject to malfunction due to corrosion when operated in areas of high road salt use. If both PCRVs malfunction, vehicle handling may be adversely affected during braking as a result of the rear wheels locking, which could potentially result in a vehicle crash.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will install improved PCRVs in the rear brake system.

43,458 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Fuel System

Transport Canada recall 1999166 · manufacturer campaign 99S25

20 September 1999

Transport Canada lists: Contour 1996 · Mystique 1996

What is wrong

On certain 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. A cracked hose could result in fuel leakage when the vehicle is being fueled. Fuel leakage in sufficient quantity in the presence of an ignition source could potentially result in a fire.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will install a fuel filler vent hose containing the appropriate blend of PVC and nitrile rubber.

1,301 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Lights And Instruments

Transport Canada recall 1999094 · manufacturer campaign 99S14

19 May 1999

Transport Canada lists: Contour 1996–1998 · Mystique 1996–1998

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the terminals at the headlight switch and wiring harness connector may experience heat damage as a result of overheating. This can cause distortion of the terminal and an open circuit in the instrument panel illumination, parking lamp and tail lamp circuits.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will install a headlamp switch wiring connector containing bronze terminals and inspect and if necessary, replace the headlamp switch.

56,107 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Powertrain

Transport Canada recall 1998208 · manufacturer campaign 98S26

21 October 1998

Transport Canada lists: Contour 1995–1998 · Mystique 1995–1998

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the floor shift automatic transmission control may be damaged if subjected to certain vehicle interior cleaning products. If exposed to these products, the transmission gear position indicator may deteriorate and not correctly indicate the actual gear position. If this occurs, the shifter will continue to operate normally, but there is the potential for incorrect gear selection.

What the dealer will do

Automatic transmission floor shift control will be replaced.

19,492 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Emissions

Transport Canada recall 1998103 · manufacturer campaign 97E61

20 May 1998

Transport Canada lists: Contour 1995–1996 · Mystique 1995–1996

What is wrong

NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5 LITRE ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE CATALYST SUBSTRATE MATERIAL IN THE CATALYST AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD ASSEMBLIES (LIGHT-OFF CATALYSTS) CAN RESULT IN RESTRICTED EXHAUST GAS FLOW, LOSS OF POWER AND EXHAUST EMISSION LEVELS IN EXCESS OF THOSE SPECIFIED IN THE STANDARD.

What the dealer will do

LEFT AND RIGHT HAND LIGHT-OFF CATALYSTS WILL BE REPLACED. UNDERBODY CATALYST WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY.

10,244 vehicles affected in CanadaCarCompliance Mfr

Engine

Transport Canada recall 1997221 · manufacturer campaign 97S95

11 December 1997

Transport Canada lists: Contour 1995–1996 · Mystique 1995–1996

What is wrong

NOTE: ONLY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL OPTION ARE INVOLVED. THE THROTTLE CABLES ON THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. THIS MAY LEAD TO FRAYING OR SEPARATION OF THE THROTTLE CABLE, WHICH COULD PREVENT THE ENGINE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE. THIS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLE CONTROL.

What the dealer will do

THROTTLE CABLE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REVISED DESIGN VERSION.

4,123 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Efficiency and running cost

Class
Compact
In its class
More efficient than 56% of 115 1996 vehicles in this class
Tailpipe CO₂
232 g/km

Set your own distance and pump price · Full efficiency ranking

Watch this vehicle

Recall letters go to whoever owns the car on paper, which may not be you. Save your 1996 Ford Contour and we will email you the day Transport Canada issues a new recall for it.

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Common questions

Does the 1996 Ford Contour have any recalls?
Transport Canada has 8 recalls on record for the 1996 Ford Contour. Recall repairs are free at any manufacturer dealer.
What fuel economy does the 1996 Ford Contour get?
NRCan rates the 1996 Ford Contour at 10.1 L/100 km combined, emitting 232 g of CO2 per kilometre. There are 4 rated versions; this is the median.
What does it cost to run a 1996 Ford Contour for a year?
At 20,000 km a year and Ontario average prices, about $3,131 in fuel, producing roughly 4,666 kg of CO2. Your own distance and prices will change this — the calculator lets you set both.

Source: Transport Canada — Vehicle Recalls Database; NRCan — Fuel consumption ratings. Data current as of 30 July 2026. Running cost uses Ontario average prices (155 ¢/L, 14.5 ¢/kWh), which are hand-maintained estimates. 30,784 rated vehicles on file.