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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 →
419Owner complaints

Model-year median: 218

3Recall campaigns

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2Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
563
1996218
1997846
1998419
1999199
20004
2001
Compare all Contour years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Structure
93Electrical System
65Engine And Engine Cooling
52Unknown Or Other
46Service Brakes, Hydraulic
42
All reported categories
Visibility
38Suspension
32Air Bags
29Fuel System, Gasoline
26Power Train
25Tires
25Seat Belts
24Equipment
22Exterior Lighting
13Vehicle Speed Control
13Steering
12Interior Lighting
5Latches/locks/linkages
5Fuel System, Other
4Seats
2Service Brakes, Air
2Wheels
2Fuel/propulsion System
1Parking Brake
1Traction Control System
1Visibility/wiper
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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

Suspension complaints

32 reports
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93,000 miles · Dec 8, 2004
Suspension

THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS BROKE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE OWNER HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND WENT TO INVESTIGATE, IT WAS THEN DISCOVERED THAT THE COIL SPRINGS HAD BROKEN TEARING INTO THE FRONT TIRE AND CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO DROP TO THE GROUND. *JB THE FLAT TIRE WAS ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEH…

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THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS BROKE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE OWNER HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND WENT TO INVESTIGATE, IT WAS THEN DISCOVERED THAT THE COIL SPRINGS HAD BROKEN TEARING INTO THE FRONT TIRE AND CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO DROP TO THE GROUND. *JB THE FLAT TIRE WAS ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. *SC

NHTSA ODI #10097361

171,000 miles · Oct 21, 2004
Suspension

THE CONSUMER STATED THE WHEEL BEARINGS ON BOTH SIDES HAD GONE OUT ON THE VEHICLE FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE ON THE HIGHWAY. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED, THE WHEEL BEARINGS ON BOTH SIDES FAILED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO HELP. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10097352

111,000 miles · Aug 31, 2004
Suspension

WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING SNAPPED. AS A RESULT, THE TIRE WAS PUNCTURED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10090115

5,600 miles · Jul 23, 2004
Suspension

WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THERE WAS A POPPING SOUND. LEFT FRONT TIRE WENT FLAT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SHOP, AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT BOTH STRUTS BROKE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10083553

75,785 miles · Jul 7, 2004
Suspension

I PURCHASED A USED 1999 FORD CONTOUR FROM A PRIVATE PARTY ON 6/21/04. WHEN I HAD THE REQUIRED STATE OF VERMONT INSPECTION DONE ON 6/30/04 A BROKEN RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING WAS DISCOVERED. THIS IS A HISTORIC PROBLEM, AND SEVERE SAFETY HAZZARD ON THE FORD CONTOUR SERIES, AS SUDDEN TIRE FAILURE IS COMMMON WITH THIS BREAKAGE. Y…

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I PURCHASED A USED 1999 FORD CONTOUR FROM A PRIVATE PARTY ON 6/21/04. WHEN I HAD THE REQUIRED STATE OF VERMONT INSPECTION DONE ON 6/30/04 A BROKEN RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING WAS DISCOVERED. THIS IS A HISTORIC PROBLEM, AND SEVERE SAFETY HAZZARD ON THE FORD CONTOUR SERIES, AS SUDDEN TIRE FAILURE IS COMMMON WITH THIS BREAKAGE. YEARS 1995 THROUGH 1998 HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE. THE PROBLEM FOR THE 1998 MODEL YEAR WAS NOT DISCOVERED UNTIL 2001, AND A RECALL WAS ISSUED THAT SAME YEAR. THEREFORE, I BELIEVE THAT FORD WAS STILL USING THE DEFECTIVE PARTS WHEN MY CAR WAS BUILT IN 9/98. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PREVALENT PROBLEM AS FORD IS BACKORDERED ON REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR OVER A MONTH. IT IS MY FEELING AT THIS TIME THAT THE 1999 MODEL SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10080519

29,000 miles · Jul 2, 2004
Suspension

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FRONT COIL SPRINGS SNAPPED, AND VEHICLE BECAME INOPERATIVE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10080318

Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2004
Interior LightingService Brakes, AirSteering

DASH WAS REPLACED, BUT IT WAS INSTALLED IMPROPERLY. ALSO, AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM HAS LEAK, AND WILL BE REPLACED NEXT SPRING. *LA VEHICLE HAS HAD THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS OR REPLACEMENTS: WHEEL BEARINGS, BRAKES, TIE RODS, DASHBOARD, INTAKE MANIFOLD, PASSENGER REAR STRUTS, LEFT FRONT DOME LAMP SWITCH, LEFT FRONT SPEAKERS, AND O…

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DASH WAS REPLACED, BUT IT WAS INSTALLED IMPROPERLY. ALSO, AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM HAS LEAK, AND WILL BE REPLACED NEXT SPRING. *LA VEHICLE HAS HAD THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS OR REPLACEMENTS: WHEEL BEARINGS, BRAKES, TIE RODS, DASHBOARD, INTAKE MANIFOLD, PASSENGER REAR STRUTS, LEFT FRONT DOME LAMP SWITCH, LEFT FRONT SPEAKERS, AND OYGEN SENSOR.*MR

NHTSA ODI #10057352

68,000 miles · May 29, 2003
Suspension

FRONT SPRING BROKE WHICH PUNCTURED THE TIRE. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10021832

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 · Jun 24, 2002
Power TrainSuspension

WHILE SHIFTING VEHICLE FROM PARK INTO REVERSE VEHICLE WILL SHIFT ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL, AND NOT ALLOW CONSUMER TO MOVE.*AK WHEN COMING TO A SUDDEN STOP, THE VEHICLE SHIFTS ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE VIBRATES WHEN GOING AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 50 AND 65 MILES PER HOUR. A LEAK WAS FOUND IN THE TRANSMISSION THAT CAUSED DAMAGE AFT…

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WHILE SHIFTING VEHICLE FROM PARK INTO REVERSE VEHICLE WILL SHIFT ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL, AND NOT ALLOW CONSUMER TO MOVE.*AK WHEN COMING TO A SUDDEN STOP, THE VEHICLE SHIFTS ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE VIBRATES WHEN GOING AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 50 AND 65 MILES PER HOUR. A LEAK WAS FOUND IN THE TRANSMISSION THAT CAUSED DAMAGE AFTER DRIVING AROUND WITH LOW FLUID. *JG

NHTSA ODI #8012432

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