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 · Nov 24, 2003
Structure
DASHBOARD WAS CURLING UP. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT AIR BAG WILL BE DEFECTIVE. *AK THE DASHBOARD WAS CURLED SO BADLY THAT AN AIR VENT POPPED OUT. THE WINDOWS DO NOT DEFROST PROPERLY AND THE AIR CONDITIONER FOGS THE WINDOWS BECAUSE THE DASHBOARD CURLED TO THE POINT THAT IT TOUCHED THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNE…
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DASHBOARD WAS CURLING UP. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT AIR BAG WILL BE DEFECTIVE. *AK THE DASHBOARD WAS CURLED SO BADLY THAT AN AIR VENT POPPED OUT. THE WINDOWS DO NOT DEFROST PROPERLY AND THE AIR CONDITIONER FOGS THE WINDOWS BECAUSE THE DASHBOARD CURLED TO THE POINT THAT IT TOUCHED THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THIS CURLING MAY AFFECT THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10040526
Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2003
Structure
FORD CONTOURS AND ALIKE EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH THE DASHBOARD WARPING. FORD SHOULD FIX THIS DEFECT AT NO CHARGE. THE WARPED DASH CAUSES OBSTRUCTION OF VIEW OUT OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10047393
Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2003
Structure
WARPAGE OF INSTRUMENT PANEL (DASH) NEAR THE WINDSHIELD IS SEVERE. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10043573
Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2003
Unknown Or Other
I OWN A 1999 FORD CONTOUR, IN WHICH THE DASH COVER (VINYL AND FOAM) ARE SEPARATING FROM THE METAL SHELL UNDERNEATH. IT IS APPROACHING THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG (SRS), AND MY CONCERN IS IT MY EITHER CAUSE AN UNEXPECTED DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT, OR IT MAY PREVENT THE AIRBAG FROM DEPLOYING IN THE EVENT O…
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I OWN A 1999 FORD CONTOUR, IN WHICH THE DASH COVER (VINYL AND FOAM) ARE SEPARATING FROM THE METAL SHELL UNDERNEATH. IT IS APPROACHING THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG (SRS), AND MY CONCERN IS IT MY EITHER CAUSE AN UNEXPECTED DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT, OR IT MAY PREVENT THE AIRBAG FROM DEPLOYING IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND THEIR ANSWER WAS THEY WOULD SUBMIT IT TO THE ENGINEERS TO DETERMINE IF A RECALL WAS IN ORDER. UNLESS THERE ARE ENOUGH PEOPLE REPORTING THIS PROBLEM, I FEEL THEY WILL TAKE NO CORRECTIVE ACTION. I HAVE PERSONALLY OBSERVED TO OTHER '99 CONTOURS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. UNFORTUNATELY, I WAS UNABLE TO CONTACT THE OWNERS AND ASK THEM TO MAKE COMPLAINTS AS WELL. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10043461
40,000 miles · Oct 21, 2003
Visibility
DASHBOARD HAS DELAMINATED AT THE WINDSHIELD. IT IS BLOCKING THE VIEW AND REDIRECTED THE DEFROSTER SO THAT IT WILL TAKE MUCH LONGER TO CLEAR WINDSHIELD, BUT NOT COMPLETELY. IT HAS PEELED BACK SO FAR THAT IT IS NOW IN THE AREA OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG, WHICH I FELT IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. DEALER HAS CONSISTENTLY BLOWN ME OFF. FIN…
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DASHBOARD HAS DELAMINATED AT THE WINDSHIELD. IT IS BLOCKING THE VIEW AND REDIRECTED THE DEFROSTER SO THAT IT WILL TAKE MUCH LONGER TO CLEAR WINDSHIELD, BUT NOT COMPLETELY. IT HAS PEELED BACK SO FAR THAT IT IS NOW IN THE AREA OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG, WHICH I FELT IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. DEALER HAS CONSISTENTLY BLOWN ME OFF. FINALLY, HAS ANSWERED ABOUT THIS AFTER NEARLY A YEAR, THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIR MYSELF, MINUS 10% FORD SAFETY WARRANTY. I FELT IT SHOULD BE PAID IN FULL BY FORD. I KNOW THAT I WOULD NOT GET FULL TRADE IN VALUE FROM THEM DUE TO THIS ISSUE. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10043333
Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2003
Structure
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS DETACHING FROM THE GRILL, AND IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. DEALER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK FORD DEVELOPED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM SO CONSUMER'S AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM COULD GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT NO COST TO THEM. *PH *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10041993
Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2003
Unknown Or OtherVisibility
DASH BOARD IS WARPING NEAR THE WINDSHIELD. I WAS TOLD THE WARRANTY TO FIX THAT PART WAS EXPIRED. THE COST TO FIX IT WOULD BE $300. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS AND I FIXED IT MYSELF. FORD NEVER SENT ME A RECALL NOTICE AND NOW THEY ARE CLAIMING THEY DID. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10043114
50,000 miles · Oct 1, 2003
Structure
CONSUMER STATED HE WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE MATERIAL THAT COVERED THE DASHBOARD WAS PEELING BADLY. HE IS AFRAID THE AIR BAG WILL PREMATURELY DEPLOY, AND CAUSE HIM HARM. *AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #10038137
Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2003
Structure
CONSUMER STATED THAT DASHBOARD WAS DETACHING FROM THE GRILL, AND IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10041992
Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2003
Structure
CONSUMER STATED THAT DASHBOARD WAS DETACHING FROM THE GRILL, AND IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. DEALER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. *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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