IllustrationWHILE DRIVING CONSUMER WOULD FEEL BRAKES RUBBING AND GRINDING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY TURNED THE ROTORS. BUT, PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. *AK
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 reportsCAR HAS BEEN IN SHOP 1/2 OF TIME OWNED FOR NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. BRAKE SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED IN FIRST TWO WEEKS AND TOOK COMPANY 4 WEEKS TO "ORDER" PADS AND ROTORS. ALIGNMENT IS CONSTANTLY OFF, SINCE DAY CAR WAS PICKED UP. TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE SUPPOSSEDLY,ONE IS AGAIN WEARING INCORRECTLY AND HAS VERY LOUD ROAD NOISE.…
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CAR HAS BEEN IN SHOP 1/2 OF TIME OWNED FOR NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. BRAKE SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED IN FIRST TWO WEEKS AND TOOK COMPANY 4 WEEKS TO "ORDER" PADS AND ROTORS. ALIGNMENT IS CONSTANTLY OFF, SINCE DAY CAR WAS PICKED UP. TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE SUPPOSSEDLY,ONE IS AGAIN WEARING INCORRECTLY AND HAS VERY LOUD ROAD NOISE. PAINT WAS BUBBLY, CARPET LAID WRONG, NOW POWER WINDOW MAKES HORRIBLE NOISES GOING UP AND DOWN. CAR HAS BEEN MORE OF A PAIN THAN ANYTHING I EVER BOUGHT. *AK
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
HIGH PERFORMANCE TIRES PURCHASED WITH THE VEHICLE SLIP AND SLIDE IN THE SNOW BECAUSE IT IS MADE FOR DRY PAVEMENT. YH
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY WITHOUT THE OWNER PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
LOCAL FORD DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION LINE AND INSTALLED IT WRONG AND DAMAGED IT. HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. HAVE RECEIPT TO PROVE IT
IT TOOK THREE TRIES TO MY DEALER TO GET THIS FIXED. I HAVE A RECEIPT IN THERE HANDWRITING STATING THIS FACT.
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT HAS POOR AND INSUFFICIENT LIGHTING, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. *AK
FRONT END DEFECT CAUSES CAR TO EAT TIRES, UNABLE TO ALIGN OR FIX PROBLEM, CURRENTLY DEALER IS ATTEMPTING SOLUTIONS BUT SO FAR NONE FOUND. *AK
A POTENTIALLY LEATHAL CONDITION EXISTS WITH REGARD TO THE CRUISE CONTROL.THIS SYSTEM HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY SINCE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, DESPITE NUMEROUS REPAIRS. ON 9/10/99, DURING HEAVY ACCELERATION(LEFT TURN), THE THROTTLE STUCK WIDE OPEN, ON INVESTIGATION I FOUND THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE CAUGHT ON THE THROTTLE ARM. APPAR…
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A POTENTIALLY LEATHAL CONDITION EXISTS WITH REGARD TO THE CRUISE CONTROL.THIS SYSTEM HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY SINCE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, DESPITE NUMEROUS REPAIRS. ON 9/10/99, DURING HEAVY ACCELERATION(LEFT TURN), THE THROTTLE STUCK WIDE OPEN, ON INVESTIGATION I FOUND THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE CAUGHT ON THE THROTTLE ARM. APPARENTLY ON WOT CONDITIONS, THE CLIP HOLDING THE CABLE TO THE THROTTLE MAKES CONTACT WITH ITS HOUSING DISCONNECTING THE CABLE FROM THE THROTTLE ARM. THE CABLE THEN HANGS LOOSE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CAUSING THE AFORE MENTIONED PROBLEM. FORTUNATELY, THIS IS A MANUAL TRANS. VEHICLE AND I WAS ABLE TO RAPIDLY DISENGAGE THE CLUTCH, AVOIDING ANY SERIOUS INJURY (ALTHOUGH CREATING AN OVER-REV CONDITION).THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPED WITH TRACTION CONTROL. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *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