1996 Ford Contour GL from North America - Comments

This car is the biggest heap of junk ever made, everything has failed.

Lets see here-

Thermostats several times.

Radiator leaked at only 53000 miles.

The shifter broke, so you had no clue what gear you were in 48000miles.

I had the Check Engine light on all the time for something, O2 sensors went several times, other sensors.

The tie rods wore out at only 68000 miles.

The power window switch broke.

The water pump developed a small leak, it needed a new water pump, timing belt, tensioned kit, drivebelt all for $825, 71000miles.

The rear wheel cylinder leaked twice actually cost over $300 total.

Few problem it always had and one ever the dealer couldn't fix, the idle was terrible it always idled rough all the time.

It had a brake pulsation ever after rotors replaced twice.

The Check Engine light always said it was running to lean.

The transmission developed a small leak.

Wheel bearing at 74000 miles.

I finally sold the thing. Right before I sold though I believe the trans was beginning to go with 76000 miles only it would shift very hard from 1-2.

It also had a problem right before I sold it. It would start when it wanted to, sometimes it would sometimes it wouldn't. I had it towed twice to a shop, both times it started right up for them though.

The thing has tons of recalls on it.

I always did maintenance to this car, all the time, never abused it or anything and it just gave me trouble all the time.

Ford has some serious quality problem, I will never again buy a Ford, this car was nothing but a piece of junk.

The seats in this car were nice I always liked them.

The car normally handled well even in snow.

I would tell anyone who wants to buy a car, don't buy a Ford.

"The worst car ever made!"

You have discovered why "Ford" means "Found On Road Dead."

I hear the Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis are much better cars.

I have the same problem with my Contour as others. Sometimes the car will not start, it turns over, but does not start. If I leave it sit for time periods between 2 hours and over night it will start up as normal. There seems to be no pattern, wet, dry, hot, cold, five minutes or one month, it does not seem to matter. What I have not seen in commentary from others is the fix to this problem. Has no one figured it out? This is an intermittent problem, but one that renders the car un-usable, you never know when or where it will not start and you will be stranded.

I'll agree the Contour has it's problems, and boy does it have them. As an ASE Master Auto Tech I've seen most of the typical complaints with the Contour. It's what I refer to as a good rental car, 6 months and get rid of it. Despite all the problems you have suffered they are good cheap cars for those with the ability to do their own repairs. I bought one for my daughter real cheap and with a little bit of work and 4 new tires she has a nice first car.