1996 Ford Contour Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch Problems
NHTSA component category: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How exterior lighting:headlights:switch ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 563 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 1996 Ford Contour overview page.
What owners report
“WHENEVER HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS TURNED ON ALL OTHER LIGHTS REMAIN OFF. THIS CONDITION HAS OCCURRED ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS THAT CONSUMER PAID FOR REPAIRS. MANUFACTURER…”NHTSA complaint 838682 — filed 07/06/1999
“TAIL LAMPS AND THE INSTRUMENT LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE SAME FAILURE. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE…”NHTSA complaint 838414 — filed 05/25/1999
“IN JUNE 1998 REPLACED BRAKE PADS, AND HAD ROTORS TURNED BECAUSE THEY WERE WARPED. HAD TO REPLACE BRAKE PADS AGAIN, INCLUDING ROTORS IN FEBRUARY 1999…”NHTSA complaint 705816 — filed 04/20/1999
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 1996 Ford Contour have exterior lighting:headlights:switch problems?
Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 1996 Ford Contour: 39 of 563 complaints on file (6.9%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 1996 Ford Contour have in total?
563 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 35 involved a crash, 24 involved a fire, 39 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's exterior lighting:headlights:switch category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
