The 1996 Ford Contour has 93 lighting complaints filed with NHTSA — 11% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.
93
Lighting complaints
11%
Share of year
0
Crash-involved
1
Related recalls
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TERMINALS AT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN EXPERIENCE HEAT DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF OVERHEATING.
Consequence
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.
“HAD HEADLIGHTS ON & NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM DASHBOARD. THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH CAUGHT FIRE. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAD SHORTED OUT. TOOK TO DEALER & CALLED MANUFACTURER INFORMED OWNER'S FAULT FOR ELECTRICAL SHORT & FIRE. WILL NOT REPAIR DEFECT. *AK”
NHTSA has 93 complaints about the 1996 Ford Contour lighting — 11% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the lighting: 99V103000.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.