Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
140–25K
3325–50K
4950–75K
2275–100K
12100–150K
7150K+
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
What owners actually said
419 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2000
Steering
ON JULY 8, VEHICLE WAS VIBRATING. TOOK TO DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM. CONSUMER NOTICED PROBLEM AGAIN ON JULY 11 WHEN BACKING OUT OF DRVEWAY AND COMING UP TO A STOP SIGN. CONSUMER LET OFF BRAKE, AND CAR WAS BOUNCING AND VIBRATING. ENTIRE TIRE WAS FLIPPING AROUND. TOWED TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID TIE ROD WAS BROKEN. …
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ON JULY 8, VEHICLE WAS VIBRATING. TOOK TO DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM. CONSUMER NOTICED PROBLEM AGAIN ON JULY 11 WHEN BACKING OUT OF DRVEWAY AND COMING UP TO A STOP SIGN. CONSUMER LET OFF BRAKE, AND CAR WAS BOUNCING AND VIBRATING. ENTIRE TIRE WAS FLIPPING AROUND. TOWED TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID TIE ROD WAS BROKEN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #868737
Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2000
Tires
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD CONSUMER COULD HEAR NOISE FROM THE TIRES, AND FRONT TIRES WERE SPLITING ACCROSS THE MIDDLE OF THE TREAD AND SOME OF THE STEEL BELTS ARE STICKING OUT. THE TIRES IN QUESTION ARE FIRESTONE FIREHAWKS GTA'S MADE IN MEXICO P205/60R15 90T M+S AND DOT # V6UN1PH298 *AK
NHTSA ODI #867316
Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingSteeringSuspension
REPEATED STALLING, MISSING & LOSS OF POWER APPEARS MOSTLY WHEN IT'S VERY HOT OUT & CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN A LOT. ROUGH IDLE EVEN UNDER NO LOAD IN NEUTRAL. NO INDICATORS LIGHT EXCEPT DURING STALL WHICH HAPPENS EVEN WITH CLUTCH DEPRESSED. MISSING IS MOST NOTICEABLE DURING ACCELERATION OR STEADY HIGHWAY SPEEDS, EVEN WITH CRUISE ON. …
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REPEATED STALLING, MISSING & LOSS OF POWER APPEARS MOSTLY WHEN IT'S VERY HOT OUT & CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN A LOT. ROUGH IDLE EVEN UNDER NO LOAD IN NEUTRAL. NO INDICATORS LIGHT EXCEPT DURING STALL WHICH HAPPENS EVEN WITH CLUTCH DEPRESSED. MISSING IS MOST NOTICEABLE DURING ACCELERATION OR STEADY HIGHWAY SPEEDS, EVEN WITH CRUISE ON. CAR SOMETIMES SHAKES AT HIGH SPEED (70MPH). MULTIPLE ALIGNMENTS NEVER SHOW SAME RESULTS. DEALER CAN NEVER DUPLICATE, SAYS I AM DUMPING CLUTCH TO STALL & LOSS OF POWER IS DUE TO A/C. THEY ALSO CLAIM EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR IS DUE TO MY DRIVING HABITS. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )
NHTSA ODI #726297
Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSteering
WHEN CONSUMER STEERED TO THE LEFT VEHICLE PULLED MORE THAN INTENDED. DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE & FOUND NOTHING WRONG.*AK THE STEERING PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY BAD FRONT END ALIGNMENT. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT WAS FOUND. THE HEATER FAILED TOO. *YH
NHTSA ODI #865763
Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 2000
Unknown Or Other
THIS CAR HAS BEEN DEFECTIVE SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT 10-2-99 WITH O5 MILES ON IT. I'VE HAD IT IN THE DEALERS SHOP AND THEY AGREE THERE IS A PROBLEM THEY CANNOT SOLVE,BUT NOE THEY WON'T EVEN WORK ON IT ANYMORE AND HAV MADE THE STATEMENT" WE HAVE PUT TOO MUCH MONEY IN IT ALREADY" I'VE SPOKEN TO MANAGERS AND CONTACTED FORD MOTOR C…
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THIS CAR HAS BEEN DEFECTIVE SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT 10-2-99 WITH O5 MILES ON IT. I'VE HAD IT IN THE DEALERS SHOP AND THEY AGREE THERE IS A PROBLEM THEY CANNOT SOLVE,BUT NOE THEY WON'T EVEN WORK ON IT ANYMORE AND HAV MADE THE STATEMENT" WE HAVE PUT TOO MUCH MONEY IN IT ALREADY" I'VE SPOKEN TO MANAGERS AND CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY TWICE BY PHONE THE RESPONSE WAS TO GIVE THE DEALER TWO BUSSINESS DAYS TO LET ME KNOW WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO.MY LOANER CAR AND APPOINTMENT FOR THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO REVIEW MY CAR IS 7-27-00. THIS CAR IS A LEMON I FEEL SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD, IM AFRAID IT COULD ENDANGER SOMEONE NOT KNOWING WHAT IS EVEN WRONG WITH IT ,WHAT SYSTEM OR ANYTHING. CAN YOU HAVE ANY INPUT IN THIS SITUATION, I HAVE A DISABLED CHILD IN A WHEELCHAIR AND DEPEND SOLELY ON THIS CAR FOR HIS HEALTH AND SPECIALIST APPTS. THIS CAR IS A NESSESSSITY NOT A LUXURY. THANKYOU SINCERELY, VIRGINIA SMITH. NO SAFETY DEFECT DISCUSSED IN SUMMARY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #725713
Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2000
Air Bags
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION IN WHICH BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. ESTIMATED SPEED WAS NOT DETERMINED AT THAT TIME. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #865327
Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2000
Visibility
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR GLASS EXPLODED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. NOT HIT BY ANY OBJECT. AIR CONDITIONING ON. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE 80F. LAST DRIVEN 3 HOURS BEFORE. LETTER SENT TO FORD (COPY AVAILABLE ON REQUEST) STATING MY BELIEF THAT GLASS WAS DEFECTIVE. FORD RESPONDED THAT THEY WEREN'T RESPONSIBLE FOR EXPLODING GLASS, THAT IT WAS BETWEE…
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DRIVERS SIDE DOOR GLASS EXPLODED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. NOT HIT BY ANY OBJECT. AIR CONDITIONING ON. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE 80F. LAST DRIVEN 3 HOURS BEFORE. LETTER SENT TO FORD (COPY AVAILABLE ON REQUEST) STATING MY BELIEF THAT GLASS WAS DEFECTIVE. FORD RESPONDED THAT THEY WEREN'T RESPONSIBLE FOR EXPLODING GLASS, THAT IT WAS BETWEEN ME & MY INSURANCE CO. THIS WAS AN ALMOST NEW CAR WHICH WAS NOT EXPOSED TO REPEATED CYCLES OF HOT WEATHER NOR WAS IT HIT BY ANYTHING. I BELIEVE A POTENTIAL PRODUCT DEFECT EXISTS.
NHTSA ODI #725328
Mileage unknown · Jul 5, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY TIME VEHICLE CUTS OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, CAUSING LOSS OF ALL POWER. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #864736
Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2000
SuspensionVehicle Speed Control
STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED WHEN CONSUMER APPROACHED A SPEED OF 60 TO 70 MPH.ALSO, VEHICLE IDLED HIGH WHEN REMOVING FOOT FROM BRAKE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #864167
Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2000
Electrical System
HORN HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. HORN HAS BEEN REPLACED BY DEALER, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK
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.
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.
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.
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
1999 Ford Contour Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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