IllustrationCONSUMER DASH BOARD PANEL POPPED UP. *TS THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT SINCE HE DIDN'T REPLY TO THE RECALL BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE THEY WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE PANEL FREE OF CHARGE. *NM
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Contour years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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
Structure complaints
93 reportsDT: CONSUMER OWNED 1999 FORD CONTOUR. DASHBOARD WARPED BLOCKING THE DEFOGGER/DEFROSTER VENT. THE CONSUMER KNEW OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. CONSUMER BOUGHT THE VEHICLE SIX MONTHS AGO. *AK *NM
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT DASH BOARD PROBLEM. THE DASHBOARD WARPED, CAUSING A VISUAL OBSTRUCTION. THIS WAS THE SECOND DASHBOARD INSTALLED, WHICH WAS DONE DURING A CUSTOMER'S COURTESY RECALL. THIS DASHBOARD WAS UNDER WARRANTY FOR 1 YEAR ONLY. CURRENTLY, VEHICLE NEEDED ANOTHER DASHBOARD. *AK THE DEALER REPLACED THE DASHBOARD…
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CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT DASH BOARD PROBLEM. THE DASHBOARD WARPED, CAUSING A VISUAL OBSTRUCTION. THIS WAS THE SECOND DASHBOARD INSTALLED, WHICH WAS DONE DURING A CUSTOMER'S COURTESY RECALL. THIS DASHBOARD WAS UNDER WARRANTY FOR 1 YEAR ONLY. CURRENTLY, VEHICLE NEEDED ANOTHER DASHBOARD. *AK THE DEALER REPLACED THE DASHBOARD AFTER THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. *NM
I ALONG WITH MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH MY DASH BOARD PEELING BACK. I TOOK IT IN FOR THE RECALL INSTEAD OF REPAIRING IT THEY JUST REGLUED IT. A YEAR LATER IT CAME APART AGAIN AND THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT AGIN. I CALLED FORD THEY SAID THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED BUT SINCE I DID HAVE IT FIXED ONCE I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE …
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I ALONG WITH MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH MY DASH BOARD PEELING BACK. I TOOK IT IN FOR THE RECALL INSTEAD OF REPAIRING IT THEY JUST REGLUED IT. A YEAR LATER IT CAME APART AGAIN AND THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT AGIN. I CALLED FORD THEY SAID THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED BUT SINCE I DID HAVE IT FIXED ONCE I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT UP WITH THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THE SAME THING AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF MY POCKET TO FIX IT. I DON'T HAVE THAT TYPE OF MONEY AND FEEL AS IF THERE SHOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL RECALL ON THIS ISSUE.
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD CONTOUR SE. THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS CURLED TO THE POINT TO WHERE THE AIR BAG IS BEGINNING TO BE EXPOSED. CONSUMER'S CONCERN IS THAT THE AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT OR WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. FORD DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD ASSEMBLY REPAIR PARTS WOU…
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DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD CONTOUR SE. THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS CURLED TO THE POINT TO WHERE THE AIR BAG IS BEGINNING TO BE EXPOSED. CONSUMER'S CONCERN IS THAT THE AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT OR WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. FORD DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD ASSEMBLY REPAIR PARTS WOULD COST $771.00, LABOR $561.00 PLUS TAX. *AK *NM UPDATED 06/05/06 *JB UPDATED 06/05/2006 - *NM
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER REGARDING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FOR THE 1999 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AFTER THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD HAD WARPED. THE CONSUMER PRESENTED THE RECALL NOTICE …
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CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER REGARDING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FOR THE 1999 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AFTER THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD HAD WARPED. THE CONSUMER PRESENTED THE RECALL NOTICE BUT WAS TOLD THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND AGREE TO PAY 80% OF THE REPAIR COST BUT THE CONSUMER DECLINED SERVICE. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT FORD SHOULD PAY 100% OF THE REPLACEMENT COST (CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 01B78). *NM
THE DASH VINYL COVERING BECAME UNGLUED. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY.
DASH BOARD IS PULLING AWAY. THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2002 WHICH WE JUST DISCOVERED, WE NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE AND WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS AND THE ORIGINAL RECALL WAS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. *JB
DASHBOARD, NEAR THE WINDSHIELD, HAS LIFTED (WARPED) TO THE POINT THAT THE DEFROSTER DOES NOT PROPERLY DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. DEALER WANTS $1700 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE THE CAR IS 6 YEARS OLD, AND THIS WAS PART OF AN EXPIRED RECALL. AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL I DID NOT OWN THE CAR, SO I COULDN'T HAVE HAD IT REPAIRED. NO…
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DASHBOARD, NEAR THE WINDSHIELD, HAS LIFTED (WARPED) TO THE POINT THAT THE DEFROSTER DOES NOT PROPERLY DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. DEALER WANTS $1700 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE THE CAR IS 6 YEARS OLD, AND THIS WAS PART OF AN EXPIRED RECALL. AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL I DID NOT OWN THE CAR, SO I COULDN'T HAVE HAD IT REPAIRED. NOW I AM HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR A COSTLY REPAIR THAT THE DEALER SHOULD REPAIR, DUE TO FAULTY CRAFTSMANSHIP. *JB
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE DASHBOARD LIFTED UP ON ITS OWN. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO HAVE POOR VISIBILITY. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK
Official recalls
300V350000 · 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
2DP06004 · 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