The 1996 Ford Contour has 86 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 10% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.
86
Transmission complaints
10%
Share of year
1
Crash-involved
1
Related recalls
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FLOOR SHIFT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL CAN BE DAMAGED IF SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN INTERIOR CLEANING PRODUCTS. THE GEAR POSITION INDICATOR CAN DETERIORATE AND NOT CORRECTLY INDICATE THE ACTUAL GEAR POSITION.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INCORRECT GEAR SELECTION.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL.
“MAN-TRANS: VEHICLE PARKED ON HILL, UNOCCUPIED, EMERGENCY BRAKE NOT APPLIED; POPPED OUT OF GEAR; ROLLED FORWARD DOWN A HILL; RAN INTO TWO PARKED VEHICLES. TT”
NHTSA has 86 complaints about the 1996 Ford Contour transmission — 10% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 98V233000.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.