IllustrationDURING RECALL REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED WITH A BROKEN BRAKE LINE AND GREASE WAS REMAINING ALL OVER THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND THE RECALL REPAIR (00V-075). *MJS
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
What owners actually said
419 reportsMY VEHICLE HAS A DESIGN FLAW. THE VEHICLES STALLS AFTER SPLASHING THROUGH WATER. ONLY 1-2 INCHES ARE NECESSARY TO CAUSE A STALL. ALSO, THE VEHICLE STALL WHEN TURNING IN THE RAIN. THE ENGINE WILL SQUEAL, THE ALTERNATOR LIGHT WILL COME ON, AND THE VEHICLE WILL BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP AND STEER DUE TO LOSS OF ELECTRICAL P…
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MY VEHICLE HAS A DESIGN FLAW. THE VEHICLES STALLS AFTER SPLASHING THROUGH WATER. ONLY 1-2 INCHES ARE NECESSARY TO CAUSE A STALL. ALSO, THE VEHICLE STALL WHEN TURNING IN THE RAIN. THE ENGINE WILL SQUEAL, THE ALTERNATOR LIGHT WILL COME ON, AND THE VEHICLE WILL BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP AND STEER DUE TO LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER. THIS PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFED IN FORD'S TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN # TSB 97-11-2. THIS DESIGN FLAW IS ONLY SUPPOSED TO AFFECT 1995-1998 CONTOURS. HOWEVER, IT MUST BE NOTED THAT MY CONTOUR IS AN EARLY 1999 (MANUFACTURED IN SEPTEMBER 1998). THE TSB DESCRIBES THAT THE VEHICLES NEEDS TO HAVE A SPLASH GUARD INSTALLED. REPEATED REQUESTS TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAVE NOT LEAD TO ANY ACTION BEING TAKEN. I BELIEVE THAT MY VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THROUGH ANY AMOUNT OF ACCUMULATED WATER. ITS TENDENCY TO STALL FORCES ME TO DRIVE THROUGH PUDDLES VERY SLOWLY WHICH CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR VEHICLES AROUND ME. I BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD FIX THIS DESIGN DEFECT FREE OF CHARGE (LABOR AND PARTS). I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE THAT YOUR AGENCY COULD PROVIDE.
THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS REPLACED. *CJ
INSIDE TIRE WALL BLEW. NOISE LIKE AN EXPLOSION. NO ROAD HAZARD HIT DURING HISTORY OF CAR. MANUFACTURER SAID DAMAGE HAD TO BE CAUSED BY ROAD HAZARD SINCE A DEFECTIVE TIRE NEVER LEAVES THEIR PLANT. THEY WERE NOT HELPFUL.*AK (TIRESIZE: 215/50ZR16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 215/50ZR16 )
VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING, CONSUMER TOOK THE PROBLEM TO THE DEALER WHO FOUND THAT SOME WIRES HAD MELTED AND MUST HAVE SHORTED SOMETHING OUT. *SLC
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
THESE TIRES ARE AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *AK
I WROTE A LETTER TO FORD (DATED AUGUST 18) LETTING THEM KNOW THAT I WAS NOT HAPPY ABOUT HAVING TO PAY OVER $700 FOR AN ALTERNATOR (WHICH WAS SUPPOSEDLY ONLY 1 YEAR OLD) AND AN AIR FLOW SENSOR. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN JUNE 1999 AND DIDN'T FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE REPLACING EITHER AFTER ONLY A YEAR. PLEASE SEE LETTER ATTACHED. THIS…
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I WROTE A LETTER TO FORD (DATED AUGUST 18) LETTING THEM KNOW THAT I WAS NOT HAPPY ABOUT HAVING TO PAY OVER $700 FOR AN ALTERNATOR (WHICH WAS SUPPOSEDLY ONLY 1 YEAR OLD) AND AN AIR FLOW SENSOR. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN JUNE 1999 AND DIDN'T FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE REPLACING EITHER AFTER ONLY A YEAR. PLEASE SEE LETTER ATTACHED. THIS MORNING (10/17/00), MY CAR WOULDN'T START UNTIL I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL.*AK
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH HORN UNABLE TO OPERATE PROPERLY WHEN NEEDED. BEEN IN / OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM COULD NOT BE RESOLVED. DEALER REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING MORE. *AK
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
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