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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

Steering complaints

12 reports
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37,777 miles · Oct 14, 2009
SteeringStructureSuspensionCrashInjury

I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALLS. I HAVE HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE REPLACED STARTER AND BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES FEELS LIKE SUSPENSION IS FALLING APART AND NEVER NOTIFIED I HAVE SMALL AND OLDER CHILDREN SHAMEFUL. THESE EVENTS STARTING TAKING PLACE WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 1999 ARM CONTROL 3 …

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I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALLS. I HAVE HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE REPLACED STARTER AND BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES FEELS LIKE SUSPENSION IS FALLING APART AND NEVER NOTIFIED I HAVE SMALL AND OLDER CHILDREN SHAMEFUL. THESE EVENTS STARTING TAKING PLACE WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 1999 ARM CONTROL 3 TIMES REPLACED I WAS LIED TO BY FORD AND SAID I MUST OF HIT A BUMP BUMP MY BUMP 3 TIMES ALMOST DEAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10287331

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

Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2000
Steering

WHEN VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN THROUGH A SMALL AMOUNT OF STANDING WATER AT LOW SPEED, ALL POWER STEERING WAS LOST. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP. OWNER WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLE WAS OPERATING CORRECTLY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #873587

Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 2000
SteeringTiresInjury

POSSIBLE STEERING FAILURE, VEHICLE SWERVED FROM SIDE TO SIDE OUT OF CONTROL CAUSING INJURY TO CONSUMER, CONSUMER ALSO SUSPECTS POSSIBLE FIRESTONE TIRE FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #555566

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2000
SteeringCrashInjury

TOTAL STEERING LOSS,ON SLIGHT CURVED RD. TOTAL RIGHT WHEEL AND EVERYTHING ATTACHED CAME OFF. EVEN THE COLLISION REPAIR SHOP SAID THEY NEVER SAW ANYTHING LIKE THAT. I AM SUSAN CANALES AND HAVE MY SON'S POWER OF ATTORNEY HE IS IN THE NAVY AND AT SEA RIGHT NOW THANK YOU. *AK

NHTSA ODI #732778

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 · 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 · May 26, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingInterior LightingSteering

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY TRAVELLING 70MPH, EXITED OFF THE FREEWAY AND BEGAN TO BRAKE WHEN ENGINE CUT OFF. ALSO, INSTRUMENT LIGHTS CAME ON, AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN. ENGINE TURNED BACK ON, AND WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #862630

Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2000
Electrical SystemEquipmentInterior Lighting

WHILE DRIVING; RADIO & INTERIOR LIGHTS WILL SHUT OFF WHEN BLINKER, DOOR & OR OTHER ELECTRONIC COMPONENT USED OR FOR NO REASON AT ALL. ALSO HAVE HAD PROBLEMS W/ ALARM SYSTEM. DEALER UNABLE TO LOCATE SORCE OF PROBLEM, CHANGED RADIO TWICE, ALARM & FUSE BOX ONCE.

NHTSA ODI #718683

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