1996 Chevrolet Cavalier vs 1996 Ford Contour
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier | 1996 Ford Contour |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 503 | 563 |
| Recall campaigns | 2 | 3 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 84 | 223 |
| Investigations | 4 | 5 |
| Crash reports | 58 | 35 |
| Fire reports | 10 | 24 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 23–26 | 21–25 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 89,000 mi | 91,500 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Cavalier | Ford Contour |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 117 | 123 |
| Electrical System | 100 | 119 |
| Power Train | 54 | 77 |
| Air Bags | 73 | 25 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 54 | 44 |
| Exterior Lighting | 17 | 64 |
| Steering | 49 | 30 |
| Visibility | 27 | 41 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 36 | 44 |
| Check engine light | 13 | 10 |
| Overheating | 13 | 24 |
| Brake problems | 11 | 0 |
| Clunking / rattling | 9 | 8 |
| Loss of power | 7 | 0 |
| Hesitation / surging | 6 | 10 |
| Vibration / shaking | 6 | 14 |
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
1996 Ford Contour
Compare all Chevrolet Cavalier vs Ford Contour years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.