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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

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

26 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

RECALL 00V350000: FUEL GROMMET LEAKAGE IS FOR BI-FUEL CARS (CONTOURS) AND MY VEHICLE WAS AT THE MECHANICS AND I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE BUT MY VEHICLE IS NOT A BI-FUEL VEHICLE. WHILE I WAS HAVE MY VEHICLE WORKED ON I ASKED TO CHECK THE FUEL BECAUSE AS I STORE MY VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE FOR THE WINTER I NOTICED A GASOLINE SMELL. T…

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RECALL 00V350000: FUEL GROMMET LEAKAGE IS FOR BI-FUEL CARS (CONTOURS) AND MY VEHICLE WAS AT THE MECHANICS AND I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE BUT MY VEHICLE IS NOT A BI-FUEL VEHICLE. WHILE I WAS HAVE MY VEHICLE WORKED ON I ASKED TO CHECK THE FUEL BECAUSE AS I STORE MY VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE FOR THE WINTER I NOTICED A GASOLINE SMELL. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THERE WAS A RECALL AND I CONTACTED 2 FORD DEALERS AND FORD ITSELF AND WAS INFORMED THAT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT ON THE RECALL. THE IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AS IT IS THE SAME SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON THE RECALL BUT NOT FOR MY VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10144888

Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

DT: CONTACT OWNS 1999 FORD CONTOUR. THE GAS TANK STRAP WHICH HOLDS THE GAS TANK BROKE. THE CONTACT FELT THIS WAS A SAFETY DEFECT BECAUSE IT COULD BREAK OFF AND POSSIBLY CAUSE A FIRE. THIS HAPPENED ON JULY 6, 2005. *AK LOUDON MOTORCRAFT REPLACED THE GAS TANK STRAP ASSEMBLY. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10127806

Mileage unknown · May 19, 2005
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

MY DASH BEGAN TO BUCKLE TO THE POINT WHERE THE DEFROST VENT WOULD NOT STAY IN PLACE. THE DASH FACE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL IS FALLING OFF. THE FLOOR ON BOTH SIDES IN THE FRONT SEAT GETS SOAKED EVERY TIME I DRIVE THROUGH PUDDLES OR RAIN. THE DOME LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OFF. THE DOOR BUZZER HAS TENDENCIES TO COME O…

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MY DASH BEGAN TO BUCKLE TO THE POINT WHERE THE DEFROST VENT WOULD NOT STAY IN PLACE. THE DASH FACE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL IS FALLING OFF. THE FLOOR ON BOTH SIDES IN THE FRONT SEAT GETS SOAKED EVERY TIME I DRIVE THROUGH PUDDLES OR RAIN. THE DOME LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OFF. THE DOOR BUZZER HAS TENDENCIES TO COME ON WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING EVEN THOUGH ALL 4 DOORS ARE SHUT TIGHT. THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT AND WHEN THE MECHANIC WAS GOING TO REPLACE IT, HE BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT ALL WIRES CONNECTING TO THE PUMP HAD BURNED THE WIRING INSULATION. THE FUEL PUMP HAPPENS TO BE LOCATED IN THE FUEL TANK. THERE WERE BARE WIRES IN THE FUEL TANK! (I DO STILL HAVE THE FUEL PUMP)THE TRUNK LATCH LOCATED INSIDE THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT SEAT HAS NOT WORKED SINCE 1 MONTH AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. ALL OF THESE THINGS HAVE HAPPENED SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2001 AND I CANNOT SEEM TO GET FORD TO OWN UP TO ANY OF THEM. THE RECALL ON THE DASH APPARENTLY IS NOT IMPORTANT ENOUGH FOR THEM TO ASSIST ME. I CANNOT GET THROUGH TO SOMEONE WHO WILL HELP ME SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS AT ANY OF THE DEALERS IN MY AREA. I AM CURRENTLY STILL PAYING FOR A VEHICLE I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE AND NO LONGER CARE TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE CAR IS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY AND I WILL PROBABLY NEVER DRIVE IT AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10121439

53,000 miles · Apr 6, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL TANK FILLER GROMMET WAS DAMAGED AND RUSTED. AS A RESULT FUEL FUMES SEEPED INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHEN THE VEHICLE'S TANK WAS FULL .*AK *NM

NHTSA ODI #10113835

525,000 miles · Dec 30, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE AFTER FUELING. ALSO, THERE WAS A FUEL SYSTEM TANK ASSEMBLY ADVISORY ON THIS ISSUE. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. *AK.....STRONG FUEL ODORS CONTINUE WHENEVER CONSUMER ATTEMPTS TO FILL FUEL TANK. TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR STATION ON 12/31/2004, AND T…

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THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE AFTER FUELING. ALSO, THERE WAS A FUEL SYSTEM TANK ASSEMBLY ADVISORY ON THIS ISSUE. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. *AK.....STRONG FUEL ODORS CONTINUE WHENEVER CONSUMER ATTEMPTS TO FILL FUEL TANK. TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR STATION ON 12/31/2004, AND THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET WAS DAMAGED RUSTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10105566

Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 2004
Fuel System, GasolineStructure

I JUST BOUGHT MY VEHICLE A FEW DAYS AGO. I WAS NOTIFIED OF A DEFECT OF THE DASHBOARD, AND COULD PLAINLY SEE IT. THE DASHBOARD HAS WARPED VERY BADLY, CAUSING MY SIGHT TO BE LIMITED. I AM ALSO HAVING A PROBLEM WITH FUEL INJECTION. I HAD IT CHECKED BY A COMPUTER AND IT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE WAS NOT GETTING ENOUGH FUEL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10098260

50,000 miles · Apr 14, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

AS SOON AS I EXITED THE FREEWAY (ALMOST A FULL CIRCLE EXIT), MY CAR STARTED CHOKING AND FINALLY STOPPED. NO FUEL SEEMED TO BE REACHING THE ENGINE. I HAD AAA TOW IT HOME SINCE I WAS CLOSE TO HOME. THE ENGINE CRANKED BUT WOULDN'T START. THIS CHOKING HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE WHEN I ENTERED THE FREEWAY ON A SIMILAR FULL-CIRCLE RAMP…

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AS SOON AS I EXITED THE FREEWAY (ALMOST A FULL CIRCLE EXIT), MY CAR STARTED CHOKING AND FINALLY STOPPED. NO FUEL SEEMED TO BE REACHING THE ENGINE. I HAD AAA TOW IT HOME SINCE I WAS CLOSE TO HOME. THE ENGINE CRANKED BUT WOULDN'T START. THIS CHOKING HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE WHEN I ENTERED THE FREEWAY ON A SIMILAR FULL-CIRCLE RAMP, AND THEN STEPPED ON THE GAS TO PICKUP SPEED. IT COUGHED A BIT BUT THEN RAN FINE. SEEMS LIKE THE SPIN CAUSES SOMETHING TO CHOKE. OTHER CONTOUR OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS BEFORE. IT SUPPOSEDLY HAPPENS WHEN THE FUEL IS LESS THAN A QUARTER OF THE TANK. FORD HAD RECALLED THE FORD FOCUS FOR FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM PROBLEMS AND MY CAR EXHIBITS THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS. WHEN I TALKED TO FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY ASKED ME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER, HAVE IT FIXED AT MY EXPENSE AND THEN THEY WOULD CONSIDER RE-IMBURSING THE EXPENSES, BUT THEY ALSO SAID THAT I SHOULDN'T COUNT ON A REIMBURSEMENT. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS SINCE IT CAN HAPPEN WHILE ENTERING A FREEWAY. I'VE SEEN A FEW MORE COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS ON THIS SITE (WWW.NHTSA.ORG) BUT NO SOLUTIONS. SOME SAY THAT THE DEALER CANNOT FIGURE OUT THE CAUSE. THE SOLUTION SHOULD BE THE SAME AS THE FORD FOCUS RECALL SOLUTION AND SHOULD BE FIXED AT FORD'S EXPENSE.

NHTSA ODI #10066188

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentExterior Lighting

SINCE I TOOK THE OWNERSHIP OF MY 99 FORD CONTOUR SVT, IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. I WANT TO KEEP THIS SHORT, SO I WILL BREIFLY TELL YOU OF THE PROBLEMS I HAVE ENCOUNTERED. IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS THIS HAS ALL HAPPENED. FOG LIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT, TWICE. CV AXIS BOOT HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO FLAWED MANUFACTURING. ABS SYSTEM …

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SINCE I TOOK THE OWNERSHIP OF MY 99 FORD CONTOUR SVT, IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. I WANT TO KEEP THIS SHORT, SO I WILL BREIFLY TELL YOU OF THE PROBLEMS I HAVE ENCOUNTERED. IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS THIS HAS ALL HAPPENED. FOG LIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT, TWICE. CV AXIS BOOT HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO FLAWED MANUFACTURING. ABS SYSTEM FAILURE, REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER WENT OUT. ITS ON ITS 3RD FUEL PUMP. VERY TOUGH STARTS WHEN ITS COLD, STOCK ALARM MALUFUCTION, RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT WENT OUT, LEFT FRONT SPEAKER WENT OUT, DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE MALUFUCTION, THE DASH CAME UP FROM THE WINDSHIELD BACK ABOUT 6". HONESTLY THERE IS MORE, I AM TRYING TO PULL ALL THIS FROM MEMORY. TO CONCLUDE I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT I WILL NEVER OWN A FORD AGAIN. EVER.

NHTSA ODI #10071152

57,394 miles · Jan 13, 2004
Fuel System, GasolineFuel System, Other

CAR JUST STALLS WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD. HAS HAPPENED ATLEAST THREE TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #10053139

51,000 miles · Jun 26, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE FUEL GAUGE NEEDLE FLOATED ERRATICALLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A DEFECTIVE FUEL FLOW METER INSIDE THE FUEL TANK.*AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #10022106

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