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1996 Ford Contour

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1996 Contour.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 1996 Ford Contour is a compact passenger car built on the front‑wheel‑drive platform that shares its underpinnings with contemporaneous midsize models, and it is equipped with an engine that requires 4.5 qt of 5W‑20 API oil. In the broader 1993‑2001 production span, the Contour’s reliability record shows a total of 640 owner complaints for the 1996 year, with the most frequent issues centered on the engine and engine‑cooling system and a tally of 11 recalls issued for that model. Compared with the model’s extremes—only three complaints in its inaugural 1993 year and a peak of 1,073 complaints in 1995—the 1996 Contour occupies a middle ground, indicating a moderate reliability standing within the generation’s overall trend.

Model year2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque94 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 96R · 590 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 96R · 590 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP185-70R14OEM · verified

Wheel / rim5.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	183.9 in
Overall width	69.3 in
Overall height	54.3 in
Wheelbase	106.7 in
Curb weight	2769 lb
Track (front / rear)	59.1 / 58.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	65/35

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 94 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.8 qt

Engine torques

Clutch Pressure Plate Bolts	13.0-18.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	88 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)	44.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)	26.0-34.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	12-15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	13-16 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	6-8.8 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	13-16 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	94 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts	18.0-22.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	246 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	210 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-4-2-5-3-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	MT: 880, AT: 800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	25 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	MT: 720, AT: 770 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	25 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.63 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	YN-12-D
Oil Capacity	7.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	96R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	590 cca
Optional BCI Group Number	40R

Service checks

Pressure Test	13-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	187-194 °F
Pressure Test	13-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	183-190 °F

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket	30 ft-lbs / 88 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	43 ft-lbs / 85-105 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.125; Rear: 0.125 in
Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.003 in / 0.006 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.79 in / 0.95 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

37 ft. lbs., step 2: 90

37 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	18 ft. lbs.	18 ft. lbs
2	33 ft. lbs.	33 ft. lbs
3	105 degrees.	105 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

1	27-32 ft. lbs.	27–32 ft. lbs
2	85-95 degrees.	85–95 degrees
3	Loosen 1 turn.
4	27-32 ft. lbs.	27–32 ft. lbs
5	85-95 degrees.	85–95 degrees
6	85-95 degrees.	85–95 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	35-40 ft. lbs.	35–40 ft. lbs
2	56-60

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 5,000 mi	Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Wheel Lug Nut (torque)
Every 5,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 10,000 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Wheel Lug Nut (torque)
Every 15,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (leak inspection)
Every 20,000 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect)
At 50,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1996 Ford Contour sits within a generation that launched with a dramatic spike in complaints and recalls in 1995 (1,073 complaints, 12 recalls), then saw a partial retreat in 1996 (640 complaints, 11 recalls) before a second peak in 1998. This arc suggests early teething problems were somewhat addressed for the second model year, yet the 1996 count remains elevated—nearly three times the complaints of the later 1997 model year and still accompanied by 5 federal investigations and 252 technical service bulletins. The top complaint areas for 1996 are engine and engine cooling (99), electrical system (74), and powertrain (59), with 36 crash and 25 fire complaints recorded, though the data does not specify root causes. While 1996 represents an improvement over the troubled 1995 launch, it still carries a heavy load of reported issues compared to later years like 1997 or 1999. For a used purchase, this year is a high-risk choice; a 1997 or later model would likely offer a more refined ownership experience based on the federal record.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

252

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

640

Owner complaints

36 involved a crash · 25 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’93 ’94 ’95’96’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 640 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling99

Electrical System74

Power Train59

Exterior Lighting47

Service Brakes, Hydraulic29

Suspension27

Visibility26

Steering24

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 11 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

08E033000SuspensionReported 14/04/2008

FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS… Remedy: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.

06E022000Service Brakes, HydraulicReported 13/03/2006

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA… Remedy: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 252 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
020503	2005-03-21	Fuel System, Gasoline	GUIDANCE FOR CNG TANK INSPECTION FOR VEHICLES PRODUCED AFTER DECEMBER 2, 1996. *TT…
03181	2003-09-15	Electrical System	REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT
03148	2003-07-21	Power Train	NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER - SERVICE TIPS. 2003 ESCORT AND SUPER DUTY F SERIES…
16880	2003-06-01	Electrical System	INOPERATIVE SHIFT INTERLOCK SOLENOID OR REPEAT INSTRUMENT INTERFACE MODULE FAILURE. *TT
03102	2003-05-26	Fuel System, Gasoline	COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG). ROUGH IDLE OR NO START WHEN COLD. VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Contour. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 96R battery Vehicles taking 4.5 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1996 Contour take?

4.5 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1996 Contour have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.