1996 Ford Contour: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Dec 17, 2018 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 150,000 miles · WA

My car was recalled in 2001. The past 6 mo my electrical system smells like its burning or something melting. Almost like its going to catch on fire

Filed Aug 9, 2011 · Electrical · 62,922 miles · FL · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 ford contour. While parked, the contact smelled smoke and noticed flames near the rear of the radio and the center column that divided the front and rear driver side doors. The contact was able to extinguish the flames herself. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics. There was a recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 01v230000 (electrical system) that could possibly have been related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact stated the failure affected the exterior lighting and interior lighting of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 62,922.

Filed Oct 10, 2007 · Electrical · 101,000 miles · MN · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford contour. After being parked for four hours, the vehicle caught fire without warning. The fire originated on the front driver side. The vehicle was not towed or inspected by a dealer. The fire extinguished on its own. The current and failure mileages were 101,000.

Filed Aug 10, 2004 · Electrical · TN · fire

Vehicle was parked and it caught on fire. The neighbor noticed that blinker was on, and suddenly there was a loud bang, assumed to be the battery.

Filed Jul 16, 2004 · Engine · 106,035 miles · CA

I bought it on 07/01/04. On 07/02/04 my on was driving it, and couple of times, whem he stopped on stop signed, the car wouldn't start. Eventually, in the evening, there was white thick smoke coming from under the hood and car was stopped. I called the dealership and they towed it to the mechanic shop. It happened that there was no oil and coolant and endine has gone bad. The dealer refused to pay completely for the repair, and we split it 20/80% where I'm to pay 80%. It's been 2 weeks and car is still in shop. I didn't buy it to sit in shop. Is there a way to correct the situation somehow?

Filed Feb 14, 2004 · Electrical · 1 miles · NE · fire

This is a complaint on a 1996 ford contour. Within 15-20 after my daughter drove to work on the interstate, the car burst into flames. She had already gotten inside her job. It occurred about 8:25.

Filed Jun 7, 2003 · Electrical, Engine · VA · fire

The wiring harness of my 1996 ford contour caught fire. I had prior problems with the vehicle in the past such as tail light going out constantly and also headlights, as well as problems with the o2 sensor. I have put more that$2000 dollars alone on this car just getting it repaired.

Filed Aug 15, 2001 · Engine · IL

When driving consumer smelled something burning. Dealer said engine cooling fan needed to be replaced. There is a recall 00v367000, but this vehicle is not affected due to VIN.

Filed Jul 23, 2001 · Engine · OH · fire

While driving, vehicle overheated, consumer stopped to add anti-freeze, a little while later vehicle began to make noises and came to a complete stop, vehicle had caught on fire. Ohio traffic crash report.

Filed Jan 16, 2001 · Electrical · GA · fire

Consumer was traveling on highwayand vehicle started smoking blue smoke. Then, vehicle caught on fire dashboard was badly burned. No injuries.

Filed Nov 20, 2000 · Brakes, Electrical · CA · fire

Whenever I turn on the heater, A/C, defrost, or fan my ABS light turns on and my brakes are spongy. I have lost all brakes on two occasions when the ABS light came on. When my car sits for a weekend, the battery dies. Installed a new battery, still dies. Ford cannot find a cause for either problem. I have taken my car in to have the wiring harness changed for the lights, those went out. Also, my A/C fuse had caught fire, whole fuse box and blower was replaced.

Filed Sep 8, 2000 · Electrical · FL

What exactly are they recalling on the 1996-1998 ford contour? Is it the whole car or just the electric system? Is that considered the wiring harness? The reason we're so interested is because we've had many major problems with our 1996 ford contour. We sent our car to the ford of ocala,fl for the wiring harness recall, and they gave us a very hard time about fixing it. They were trying to get us to replace parts that weren't even bad, at the cost of $400.00 for one part. But then they said there was a whole list of things that were wrong with it, and after they fixed each of these parts, if our car still didn't start, then they'd get to fixing the wiring harness. We had 2 mechanics check these parts and they weren't bad at all. It took them 2 and a half weeks before they gave us our car back.then when we got it back, we had to take it to our regular mechanic who said they wired it wrong, and left the wiring to the air-conditioning and the alternator undone. That was 2 months ago, and we just had to replace our alternator. The mechanic that fixed the alternator said they did a lousy job, because half the wiring wasn't even done right. There is wiring in our car that is bare, and he said it could cause our car to catch on fire. Also, the wiring leading to the alternator is bare, which he said most likely shorted out the alternator. So now we need to have the wiring redone, and all of this has cost us hundreds of dollars. This car is the worst car ever made, we've had nothing but problems with it from the day we gotit! We had the air fixed, and after they did the recall, the air no longer worked anymore. Also, after they worked on the recall, there are many wires that are still cracked and brittle, and left bare. The wiring to the battery is completely bare, also, and we've had to replace the battery 3 times since we've had the car. The seatbelt locks up while driving where it is so tight I can't move at all.we're afraid it will catch fire! Also more problems!