1996 Ford Contour: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Jan 5, 2010 · Lights · 180,000 miles · TX · fire

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.

Filed May 18, 2005 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · FL

I hope you can help me. I have a complaint I'd like to register with you about the safety of a car made by ford motor company. The VIN (vehicle identification number) is [xxx]. I am the owner of a 1996 ford contour lx and recently I became aware (on my own accord) that ford motor company has the following two safety recalls on my vehicle 1. Recall 99s14 - head light switch and wire assembly 2. Recall 98s26 - automatic transaxle shift indicator (prndl) bezel. Upon acquiring this information I contacted ford motor company's local dealer kingston industrial garage in order to ascertain whether my vehicle qualifies for these recalls. I was subsequently advised by them that while my vehicle qualified for recall 99s14-head lamp switch and wire assembly, however it does qualify for recall 98s26 - automatic transaxle shift indicator (prndl) bezel. This is occurring despite the fact that my vehicle meets one of the requirements as stated in a letter issued to dealers and customers by ford motor company's mr. A. R. Kaduk-manager of vehicle service and programs dated october, 1998 which reads "certain 1995-1998 model year contour vehicles equipped with automatic transmission built from september 1, 1994 through january 8, 1998 at the kansas city assembly plant, USA" and it is this statement that makes my vehicle eligible for this recall, and how can they justify honoring one safety recall and not another. As a consequence of their refusal to honor this safety recall I am presently forced to drive an extremely unsafe vehicle due to the fact that I am unable to determine the selection of gears as a result of the defective automatic shift indicator (prndl) bezel which if not addressed with dispatch will sooner or later result in severe damage to myself and others. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I look forward to hearing from you soon. *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Jan 24, 2005 · Airbags, Engine · 66,000 miles · DE

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.

Filed Nov 24, 2003 · Brakes, Electrical · NH

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

Filed Aug 26, 2003 · Lights · TN

Headlights are inopertive, causing impaired vision. Dealer states headlight switch has melted, causing all lights to fail.

Filed Aug 4, 2003 · Lights · DE

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.

Filed Jun 18, 2003 · Lights · 60,000 miles · AR

When headlights are on the interior lights will not come on. Cause is unknown.

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 Jun 3, 2003 · Electrical · GA

The federal safety agency#99-v-103-000: vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The terminals at the headlight switch and wiring harness connector can experience heat damage as a result of overheating. This recall failed.

Filed Jan 21, 2003 · Lights · 92,000 miles · NY

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

Filed Dec 17, 2002 · Lights · 110,000 miles · PA

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).

Filed Dec 11, 2002 · Lights · CA

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