Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford contour. The contact stated that the plug on the headlight switch overheated and melted the wire in the plug. He had to disconnect the battery every time he got out of the vehicle because it caused a failure within the parking lights. The plug and headlight switch needed to be replaced. He found recall 99v103000 online and was told by both the manufacturer and the dealer that his vehicle was not included. The vehicle had not been repaired to-date. The current mileage was approximately 183,000. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
1996 Ford Contour lights problems
72 complaints (13% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 105,900.
- owner complaints
- 72
- of this car's complaints
- 13%
- typical mileage
- 105,900
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Headlights: switch37
- Headlights15
- Tail lights8
- Brake lights3
- Turn signal: flasher unit2
- Turn signal: switch1
- Tail lights: switch1
- Headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Ford Contour lights problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Ford Contour lights
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The terminals at the headlight switch and wiring harness connector can experience heat damage as a result of overheating.
- Risk
- The damage could result in distortion of the terminal causing an open circuit in the instrument panel illumination, parking lamp, and tail lamp circuits.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a headlamp switch wiring connector containing bronze terminals and an inspection, and replacement if necessary, of the headlamp switch.
Recall number 99V103000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Headlight switch
Odi opened the preliminary evaluation on december 3, 1989 based on five consumer complaints, all of which mentioned concerns centered on the dashboard-mounted headlight switch.these concerns included an allegation of the switch catching fire, an allegation of headlight loss, and three allegations of instrument panel and tail light outages.three of the reports specifically identified the headlight switch and its associated wiring as having been heat damaged.ford investigations have found that overheating of an electrical terminal at the headlight switch connector causes loss of the instrument panel and tail lights.ford will remedy this condition in 1996-1998 model contour and mystique vehicles built at the kansas city assembly plant from april 20, 1995 through august 12, 1998 and at the cautitlan, mexico assembly plant from june 13, 1995 through august 24, 1998 under recall 99v‑103.the remedy involves replacement of the headlight switch connector and if necessary, the switch itself.this preliminary evaluation is closed.
PE98063
What 1996 Ford Contour owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I own a 1996 ford contour [xxx] that the instrument panel lights and tail lights went out on. There was a recall on this item (recall 99s14) back in 1999. Upon bringing the car into an brookdale ford (brooklyn center, mn), they told me that they would fix the problem free of charge because it did not apply to my vehicle. I then called ford motor company customer relationship center. They told me that the problem was already fixed on my car (even though I never brought the car in for this service). They refused to help. Even if the recall was fixed on my car, the fact that the same two parts of my car (instrument panel and tail lights) failed, tells me that the recall repair was not done correctly.*ak *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
Car stalls when parallel parking, especially in reverse, or when parking slopes. Car stalled when starting up from red light in center city philadelphia intersections. Headlamps out of alignment (don't shine down onto road, beams not centered). Air bag light on control panels blinks sporadically, frequently; anxiety that air bag will deploy while driving. Dealer comment on stalling: "probably something stupid" and wasn't able to fix problem, mentioned something about a vacuum tube. Dealer charged $95 to tell me that the memory in the vehicle didn't give any codes for the stalling or air bag problems, then added that the memory is wiped clean every time the car is turned off. Question: if they know that about the car in the first place, why charge the customer for a pointless diagnostic? Headlights still out of alignment after having been "adjusted" by dealer in january 2005.
Problems with 1996 ford contour front brakes, transmission, fuse box, heater blower motor, electrical and steering and suspension. *mr 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. *jb
Headlights are inopertive, causing impaired vision. Dealer states headlight switch has melted, causing all lights to fail.
Headlight lenses are so cloudy that it is extremely difficult to see on low beams.has been evident since I purchased the car in '1999.
When headlights are on the interior lights will not come on. Cause is unknown.
The headlight switch malfunctioned and caused the tail lights and instrument panel light to go out without warning. The vehicle was recall once for this problem and repaired but the problem has reocurred. Manufacturer stated since the recall was repaired once, they will not repair it again free of charge. *ph
Headlight switch terminals and wiring harness terminals experienced heat damage. The instrument panel, tail lights and parking lights failed. Robin ford dealer, 100 n. Mcdade blvd, glenolden, pa indicated that there is a recall for this problem on the 96 ford contour but my VIN does not apply to the recall. My VIN is [xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
The front head lamps to my contour have clouded over (on the inside) and do not allow the lamps to put out much light. This is a pretty bad safety hazard in the evening. It has been getting worse over the past year or two - to where I need to replace them. The dealer noted that this was a common problem caused by a head lamp seal failure, but it was not a warranty or recall issue. Cost is $250 for parts plus labor. If this is a known safety issue for ford service staff, why is it ignored by ford? Your database shows other complaints of this issue. Dt
Questions about the 1996 Ford Contour lights
Does the 1996 Ford Contour have lights problems?
Owners have filed 72 complaints about the lights of the 1996 Ford Contour, 13% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1996 Ford Contour lights problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 105,900 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1996 Ford Contour lights?
Yes, 1 recall: 99V103000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford Contour have the most lights problems?
The Ford Contour model years with the most lights complaints are 1996 (72 complaints), 1998 (50 complaints) and 1995 (27 complaints).
Other 1996 Ford Contour problems
Engine 124Electrical 119Transmission 76Brakes 49Visibility 41Suspension 38Acceleration 31Fuel system 30Steering 30Airbags 25Body 15Seat belts 14Wheels 7Locks 5Seats 3Tires 3Driver assistance 1
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