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1999 Ford Contour

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Ford Contour do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 218.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

137 reports with mileage · 282 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 93 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 65 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

28 crash reports9 fire reports22 injury reports

Equipment complaints

22 reports
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9,000 miles · Jun 24, 2003
Equipment

AC DOES NOT BLOW COLD. THIRD TIME FOR THIS REPAIR. CAR HAS ONLY 35,000 MILES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10023717

Mileage unknown · Jun 18, 2003
EquipmentFuel System, GasolineStructure

NAR 06/19/2003. *MR THE CONSUMER HAD HIS VEHICLE TOWED TO VISTA FORD APPROX 3 TIMES IN ONE MONTH FOR A BROKEN FUEL PUMP THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.THE VEHICLE HAD A B ROKEN RADIO ANTENNA AND A VIBRATION WHICH WAS COMING FROM THE TIRES. IN ADDITION TO ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS THE DASHBOARD WAS COMING APART AND THE FLOOR MATERIA…

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NAR 06/19/2003. *MR THE CONSUMER HAD HIS VEHICLE TOWED TO VISTA FORD APPROX 3 TIMES IN ONE MONTH FOR A BROKEN FUEL PUMP THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.THE VEHICLE HAD A B ROKEN RADIO ANTENNA AND A VIBRATION WHICH WAS COMING FROM THE TIRES. IN ADDITION TO ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS THE DASHBOARD WAS COMING APART AND THE FLOOR MATERIAL UNDER THE HOOD OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT WAS COMING APART. FORD HAS NOT OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE IN EXPEDITING FEES AND COST OF REPAIRS. PLEASE ASSIST IN RESOLVING MATTERS. *CB *JB

NHTSA ODI #10024449

5,000 miles · Jun 12, 2003
EquipmentUnknown Or Other

I AM AN ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1999 FORD CONTOUR SE SPORT. ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO THERE WAS A MAINTENANCE RECALL FOR THE CONTOUR'S DASH COMING UP DUE TO BAD GLUE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP AND FOUND THAT MY DASH WAS SO BAD IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AT THIS TIME ALSO. NOW MY DASH IS COM…

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I AM AN ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1999 FORD CONTOUR SE SPORT. ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO THERE WAS A MAINTENANCE RECALL FOR THE CONTOUR'S DASH COMING UP DUE TO BAD GLUE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP AND FOUND THAT MY DASH WAS SO BAD IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AT THIS TIME ALSO. NOW MY DASH IS COMMING UP JUST LIKE IT DID BEFORE, EVIDENTLY THE DASH THEY REPLACED IT WITH STILL HAD THE DEFECTIVE GLUE IN IT. I CONTACTED FORD EXPLAINING THIS TO THEM AND FINDING OUT THAT THE MAINTENANCE ORDER HAD ENDED LAST YEAR. I TOLD THEM ABOUT IT BEING REPLACED AND DOING THE SAME THING IT DONE BEFORE WHILE ALSO EXPLAINING MY CONCERN ABOUT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG RELEASING AT ANY GIVEN TIME. THIS COULD VERY WELL HURT SOMEONE LIKE MYSELF WHO HAS HAD OPEN HEART SURGERY AND THEN HAD TO HAVE MY CHEST REWIRED DUE TO MY STERNUM NOT FUSING BACK TOGETHER CORRECTLY NOT TO MENTION WHAT THIS COULD DO TO ONE OF MY CHILDREN. THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR MY DASH EVEN THOUGH I DID WHAT THE LETTER TOLD ME AND COULDN'T HAVE AVOIDED THIS PROBLEM FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. I DIDN'T MAKE THE DASH NOR DID I MAKE THE GLUE, BUT I UPHELD MY RESPONSABILITIES. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY FORD AT THERE EXPENSE NOT MINE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10021495

50,000 miles · Jun 3, 2003
EquipmentStructureVisibility

THE DASH BOARD ON MY 1999 CONTOUR HAS CURLED BACK AND THE VENT MECHANISM HAS COME OUT. NOW, THE DEFROSTER IS OBSTRUCTED AND DOES NOT DEFROST MY WINDSHIELD PROPERLY. MY WINDSHIELD HAS NOW CRACKED. THE DEALER SAID THIS WAS THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL, BUT THE RECALL IS NOW "EXPIRED".OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR: THE RADIO SPEAKERS …

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THE DASH BOARD ON MY 1999 CONTOUR HAS CURLED BACK AND THE VENT MECHANISM HAS COME OUT. NOW, THE DEFROSTER IS OBSTRUCTED AND DOES NOT DEFROST MY WINDSHIELD PROPERLY. MY WINDSHIELD HAS NOW CRACKED. THE DEALER SAID THIS WAS THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL, BUT THE RECALL IS NOW "EXPIRED".OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR: THE RADIO SPEAKERS HAVE FAILED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WERE REPLACE UNDER MY WARRANTY, BUT NOW THAT I AM OUT OF THE WARRANTY, THE PASSENGER SIDE SPEAKERS ARE SHOT; THE DOME LIGHT DOES NOT TURN ON WHEN I OPEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR BUT IT DOES WHEN THE OTHER DOORS ARE OPENED; MY BLOWER MOTOR STOPPED WORKING AND I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED, AND IT NOW SMELLS LIKE IT IS BURNING WHEN I USE IT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10020938

Mileage unknown · May 31, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON; AIR CONDITIONER WILL ONLY WORK ON HIGH; WILL NOT WORK ON LOW; RELATIVE HAS SAME CAR 2000 MODEL - - HAVING SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10020795

Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2003
Air BagsEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

THE VEHICLE HAD POOR GAS MILEAGE. THE DRIVERS WINDOW JAMMED. THE RUBBER PIECE AROUND THE FRAME OF THE RIGHT SIDE REAR PASSENGER'S SEAT CONSTANTLY CAME OFF. THE SHOULDER HARNESS ON DRIVER'S SIDE AND IN THE REAR SEATS TWISTED AND JAMMED. THE DASHBOARD COVER CAME LOOSE. THE RADIO OPERATED POORLY. THE TRUNK LATCH OFTEN REQUIR…

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THE VEHICLE HAD POOR GAS MILEAGE. THE DRIVERS WINDOW JAMMED. THE RUBBER PIECE AROUND THE FRAME OF THE RIGHT SIDE REAR PASSENGER'S SEAT CONSTANTLY CAME OFF. THE SHOULDER HARNESS ON DRIVER'S SIDE AND IN THE REAR SEATS TWISTED AND JAMMED. THE DASHBOARD COVER CAME LOOSE. THE RADIO OPERATED POORLY. THE TRUNK LATCH OFTEN REQUIRED MULTIPLE PULLS TO OPEN THE TRUNK. THE AIR BAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY CAME ON. WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A WHINING/GRINDING NOISE. *AK *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10015886

Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2002
Equipment

I WANT TO KNOW IF THIS IS A RECALL. NO SAFETY DEFEC TMENTIONED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #763683

Mileage unknown · May 7, 2002
EquipmentSeat Belts

THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. THE ECOND TIME, IT JUST WOULD NOT RELEASE, AND I HAD TO CUT THE SEATBEAT SO THE PASSENGER COULD GET OUT. AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER SWITCH JUST WENT OUT ONE DAY. THE AIR CONDITIONER WILL ONLY WORK IF I KEEP THE CONTROL TURNED TO "HIGH." I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE…

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THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. THE ECOND TIME, IT JUST WOULD NOT RELEASE, AND I HAD TO CUT THE SEATBEAT SO THE PASSENGER COULD GET OUT. AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER SWITCH JUST WENT OUT ONE DAY. THE AIR CONDITIONER WILL ONLY WORK IF I KEEP THE CONTROL TURNED TO "HIGH." I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE BOTH OF THESE ITEMS REPLACED BY FORD, IF POSSIBLE. "*AK

NHTSA ODI #761637

Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2002
Electrical SystemEquipmentVisibilityFire

OUR CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS SINCE DAY ONE WE HAVE 2 DIFFERENT EMBLAMS ON THE FENDERS, WINDOW FELL OUT, SPEAKERS BUSTED, CARPET RUINED BY LEAKS, FAN SWITCH ONLY WORKS ON HIGH SETTING, INSTRUMENT PANEL SMOKED UP AS IF BURNING, HOOD DOESN'T MEET UP WITH COWL, TRUNK STAYS SOAKED, AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS ALL HAPPENED WITHI…

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OUR CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS SINCE DAY ONE WE HAVE 2 DIFFERENT EMBLAMS ON THE FENDERS, WINDOW FELL OUT, SPEAKERS BUSTED, CARPET RUINED BY LEAKS, FAN SWITCH ONLY WORKS ON HIGH SETTING, INSTRUMENT PANEL SMOKED UP AS IF BURNING, HOOD DOESN'T MEET UP WITH COWL, TRUNK STAYS SOAKED, AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS ALL HAPPENED WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF ORIGINAL PURCHASE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #760154

Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2001
Equipment

WHENEVER TURNING ON AIR CONDITIONER CAR HESITATES AND ON HIGHWAY, IT WON'T PICK UP SPEED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #886682

Official recalls

3

00V350000 · Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly

Oct 30, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BI-FUEL VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING THE INSTALLATION OF THE BI-FUEL SYSTEM. IF THE GROMMET IS DAMAGED, FUEL COULD LEAK. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE GROMMET IS DAMAGED, FUEL COULD LEAK. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET.

00V075000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components

Mar 9, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). A PRESSURE CONSCIOUS REDUCING VALVE (PCRV) IN THE REAR BRAKES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CORROSION AND RESULT IN MALFUNCTION, WHEN OPERATED IN AREAS THAT USE SALT COMPOUNDS ON THE ROADWAY FOR DE-ICING OR DUST CONTROL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF BOTH PCRV'S MALFUNCTION, VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED DURING BRAKING AS A RESULT OF THE REAR WHEELS LOCKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL IMPROVED PCRV'S IN THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS RECALL WAS EXPANDED IN SEPTEMBER 2000 TO INCLUDE 1999 AND 2000 FORD CONTOUR, MERCURY MYSTIQUE AND COUGAR VEHICLES.

99V060000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch

Mar 17, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WHICH UTILIZE A PARK/LOCK SOLENOID. IT IS POSSIBLE TO ROTATE THE IGNITION KEY TO THE LOCK POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT THE SHIFT LEVER AND TRANSMISSION BEING IN PARK. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES. VEHICLES THAT HAVE UNITS WITH IGNITION KEYS REMOVABLE IN GEAR POSITIONS OTHER THAN PARK, WILL HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

DP06004 · Instrument Panel Cover Warpage

Opened Oct 23, 2006 · Closed Apr 10, 2007

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure; Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:fan/motor

THE AGENCY HAS DENIED A PETITION REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF INSTRUMENT PANEL WARPAGE FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. THE NOTICE OF DENIAL WAS PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER, VOLUME 72, NUMBER 67, ON MONDAY, APRIL 9, 2007, PAGES 17605 AND 17606.SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH FOR DETAILS.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Structure

THE AGENCY HAS DENIED A PETITION REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF INSTRUMENT PANEL WARPAGE FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. THE NOTICE OF DENIAL WAS PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER, VOLUME 72, NUMBER 67, ON MONDAY, APRIL 9, 2007, PAGES 17605 AND 17606.SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH FOR DETAILS.

Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:fan/motor

THE AGENCY HAS DENIED A PETITION REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF INSTRUMENT PANEL WARPAGE FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. THE NOTICE OF DENIAL WAS PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER, VOLUME 72, NUMBER 67, ON MONDAY, APRIL 9, 2007, PAGES 17605 AND 17606.SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH FOR DETAILS.

EA01001 · Blower Switch/resistor Or Wiring Harness

Opened Jan 5, 2001 · Closed Jul 31, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

Electrical System

There is no summary currently available