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 · Apr 22, 2003
Air BagsEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline
THE VEHICLE HAD POOR GAS MILEAGE. THE DRIVERS WINDOW JAMMED. THE RUBBER PIECE AROUND THE FRAME OF THE RIGHT SIDE REAR PASSENGER'S SEAT CONSTANTLY CAME OFF. THE SHOULDER HARNESS ON DRIVER'S SIDE AND IN THE REAR SEATS TWISTED AND JAMMED. THE DASHBOARD COVER CAME LOOSE. THE RADIO OPERATED POORLY. THE TRUNK LATCH OFTEN REQUIR…
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THE VEHICLE HAD POOR GAS MILEAGE. THE DRIVERS WINDOW JAMMED. THE RUBBER PIECE AROUND THE FRAME OF THE RIGHT SIDE REAR PASSENGER'S SEAT CONSTANTLY CAME OFF. THE SHOULDER HARNESS ON DRIVER'S SIDE AND IN THE REAR SEATS TWISTED AND JAMMED. THE DASHBOARD COVER CAME LOOSE. THE RADIO OPERATED POORLY. THE TRUNK LATCH OFTEN REQUIRED MULTIPLE PULLS TO OPEN THE TRUNK. THE AIR BAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY CAME ON. WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A WHINING/GRINDING NOISE. *AK *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10015886
Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2003
Air BagsCrash
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10015793
Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2003
Structure
THE DASH BOARD CAME APART WHICH RESULTED IN POOR VISIBILITY THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10014668
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE VEHICLE HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY IN A YEAR, THE VEHICLE HAD 5 NEW FUEL PUMPS PUT ON WITHIN A 8 MONTH PERIOD, TOWED 3 TIMES AND PERIODICALLY JERKS AND DIES . THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT CAN NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10010654
Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2003
Electrical SystemStructureUnknown Or Other
DASHBOARD IS CURLING UP FROM THE WINDSHIELD. SINCE THIS HAS STARTED THE VENT FOR THE DEFOGGING SYSTEMS HAS POPPED COMPLETELY OUT, THE WARNING BELL FOR THE LIGHTS LEFT ON AND KEY IN IGNITION HAVE STOPPED WORKING AND THE RADIO CUTS IN AND OUT. I TOOK IT TO MY AUTO REPAIR SHOP WHO CONTACTED MY EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY (WHO SUPPO…
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DASHBOARD IS CURLING UP FROM THE WINDSHIELD. SINCE THIS HAS STARTED THE VENT FOR THE DEFOGGING SYSTEMS HAS POPPED COMPLETELY OUT, THE WARNING BELL FOR THE LIGHTS LEFT ON AND KEY IN IGNITION HAVE STOPPED WORKING AND THE RADIO CUTS IN AND OUT. I TOOK IT TO MY AUTO REPAIR SHOP WHO CONTACTED MY EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY (WHO SUPPOSEDLY COVER ME BUMPER TO BUMPER ACCORDING TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM) WHO STATE IF IT IS NOT SAFETY RELATED THEY DON'T COVER IT. I THEN WENT TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WITH THE PROBLEM AS THE CAR IS A 1999 WITH BARELY 40,000 MILES AND EXPRESSED MY CONCERN ABOUT THE THINGS THAT HAVE STOPPED WORKING AS WELL AS THE FACT THAT AS THE DASH ROLLS BACK IT WILL DEPLOY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THEY STATED THAT THE EARLIER MODELS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WHICH APPARENTLY WAS NEVER FIXED AND GAVE ME FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE. I THEN CONTACTED FORD WHO AFTER 5 DAYS INFORMED ME THAT THEY FELT IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM, THAT I SHOULD TAKE IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER AND PAY APPROXIMATELY $1800 TO $2000 FOR A NEW DASH TO BE INSTALLED BUT THAT I SHOULD SAVE MY PAPERWORK AFTER THE REPAIRS ARE DONE IN CASE OF ANY FURTHER TROUBLE. SINCE THE DASH IS IN PERFECT CONDITION ASIDE FROM THE CURLING, NO CRACKS, DISCOLORATION OR DRYING OUT I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD PAY TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED. IF YOU CAN ASSIST PLEASE LET ME KNOW. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10010192
63,235 miles · Mar 6, 2003
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrash
I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE SEAT BELT ON MY THREE YEAR OLD SON'S CAR SEAT CAME UNDONE. IT WAS THE BELT THAT GOES FROM THE CAR TO THE CAR SEAT. THE CAR FLIPPED AND HIS SEAT WENT FLYING AROUND IN THE CAR. THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED WHEN THE CAR FLIPPED AND HIT A DIRT EMBANKMENT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10008485
50,000 miles · Feb 28, 2003
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
WHILE WEARING MY SEAT BELT WHICH I ALWAYS CHECK TO BE SURE IT IS FASTENED I FELL ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL. I HIT THE LEFT BARRIER AND JERKED THE WHEEL. THAT IS ALL I REMEMBER. WHEN I WOKE UP THE CAR WAS UPSIDE DOWN AND I WAS LAYING ON THE ROOF ON MY STOMACH FACING FORWARD. THE SEAT BELT CAME UNBUCKLED AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPL…
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WHILE WEARING MY SEAT BELT WHICH I ALWAYS CHECK TO BE SURE IT IS FASTENED I FELL ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL. I HIT THE LEFT BARRIER AND JERKED THE WHEEL. THAT IS ALL I REMEMBER. WHEN I WOKE UP THE CAR WAS UPSIDE DOWN AND I WAS LAYING ON THE ROOF ON MY STOMACH FACING FORWARD. THE SEAT BELT CAME UNBUCKLED AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. IT APPEARS I WAS THROWN INTO THE EMPTY PASSENGER SEAT AS IT WAS BROKEN. I AM UPSET THE BELT CAME UNBUCKLED. THE CAR WAS A 1999 FORD CONTOUR SE. I HAD NO BUCKLE PROBLEMS IN THE PAST. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10008276
62,000 miles · Feb 28, 2003
Electrical System
SOMETHING IN MY WIRING HAS BURNT AND SHORTED OUT WIRES IN MY CAR FROM TRUNK TO UNDER HOOD. CAR IS BEING REPAIRED AS I WRITE AND IS GOING TO BE VERY EXPENSIVE. THIS IS A 1999 FORD CONTOUR SE. A NEW WIRING HARNESS IS BEING ORDERED AND ALL WIRING NEEDS REPLACEMENT. THE CAR JUST STALLED RIDING DOWN ROAD, HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. HAVE B…
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SOMETHING IN MY WIRING HAS BURNT AND SHORTED OUT WIRES IN MY CAR FROM TRUNK TO UNDER HOOD. CAR IS BEING REPAIRED AS I WRITE AND IS GOING TO BE VERY EXPENSIVE. THIS IS A 1999 FORD CONTOUR SE. A NEW WIRING HARNESS IS BEING ORDERED AND ALL WIRING NEEDS REPLACEMENT. THE CAR JUST STALLED RIDING DOWN ROAD, HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. HAVE BEEN WITHOUT CAR FOR APPROX. 1 WEEK NOW. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10008244
50,000 miles · Feb 25, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
WHEN I GO TO START THE CAR SOMETIMES IT JUST MAKES A WHINING NOISE AND WONT START, THAT HAPPENS TWO OR THREE TIMES A MONTH, ALSO THE DASH BOARD IS COMMING UP.*JB
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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