1999 Ford Contour

Family: Contour · filed with NHTSA as CONTOUR

Summary

In its first three years the 1999 Contour drew 123 complaints — 1.2× the median of its generation (1996–2000). It does not stand out from the other years of this generation.
These are complaint counts, not failure rates: they are not divided by how many cars were sold, because no public source reports U.S. sales by model year.
Complaints are spread across systems: the largest, Body & Structure, holds 24% of the 389 that name a component.
5 recalls filed for this model year.
2 federal defect investigations cover this model year.

At a glance

Owner complaints: 419
Recalls: 5
Investigations: 2
NCAP overall: Not rated
Combined MPG: 20–25
Annual fuel cost: $2,500–$3,100
Median mileage at complaint: 60,000 mi (n = 137)
Crashes / fires / injuries / deaths: 28 / 9 / 34 / 0

What owners report

Body & Structure

93 complaints · 24% of complaints that name a component · median 50,000 mi (n = 35)

Owner report REAR FRAME, SUSPENSION RUSTED COMPLETELY INTO AN WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND THREW ME INTO DITCH. THIS IS COMPLETELY NOT ACCEPTABLE. I HAVE 1960'S CARS %100 BETTER THAN THIS . I KNOW THIS IS A 1999 BUT THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. CAN ANYTHING BE DONE.

Owner report TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD CONTOUR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO WOBBLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Electrical System

65 complaints · 17% of complaints that name a component · median 62,000 mi (n = 26)

Owner report TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS DASHBOARD IS COVERED WITH LAMINATED PLASTIC THAT COVERS THE GRILL. THE GRILL SEPARATED AT THE PLACE WHERE THE DASHBOARD CONNECTS TO THE AIR CONDITIONER. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO ACKNOWLEDGED THE FAILURE. FORD STATED THAT THEY HAVE NOT…

Owner report DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THE VEHICLE'S INSTRUMENT PANEL WARPAGE INTERFERING WITH AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO EXPRESSED THAT THE INCIDENT WOULD NOT AFFECT THE VEHICLE.*AK

Engine

52 complaints · 13% of complaints that name a component · median 60,000 mi (n = 16)

Owner report TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATING THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPLACEMENT WAS MADE, THE DASHBOARD DEVELOPED A GAP NEXT TO THE PASSENGER SIDE VENT, WHICH OVER TIME, CAUSED THE VENT TO SINK BEHIND THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT TOOK…

Owner report CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THREE TIMES FOR DIFFERENT OXYGEN SENSORS. THESE GREATLY EFFECT THE GAS MILEAGE AND TIMING OF ENGINE RESULTING IN MORE EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. THE MECHANIC STATED HE HAS SEEN A LOT OF FORD CONTOURS IN WITH THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM. COST IS MINIMUM $250-$450 TO REPLACE. *JB

7% of complaints name no specific component and are left out of the shares above.

Across the generation (1996–2000)

To compare years fairly, each year is counted over the same span: complaints received up to two calendar years after its model year. A year is compared only when that span is over and it holds at least 50 complaints. Median of the comparable years: 104.

Model year	All complaints	First three years	Note
1996	563	104
1997	218	71
1998	846	363	most complaints
1999	419	123
2000	199	50	fewest complaints

Recalls

Whether a recall has been fixed on a specific car depends on its VIN; check it at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

08E033000 · SUSPENSION

Filed 2008-04-14 · 6,903 vehicles

Defect: FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.

Risk: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.

06E022000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Filed 2006-03-13 · 7,440 vehicles

Defect: CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.

Risk: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.

00V350000 · FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Filed 2000-10-30 · 3,750 vehicles

Defect: 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.

Risk: 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

Filed 2000-03-09 · 436,200 vehicles

Defect: 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.

Risk: 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

Filed 1999-03-17 · 4,569 vehicles

Defect: 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."

Risk: 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.

Federal investigations

Action	Component	Opened	Closed	Recall
DP06004	STRUCTURE	2006-10-23	2007-04-10
EA01001	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2001-01-05	2001-07-31	01I009000

DP06004: INSTRUMENT PANEL COVER WARPAGE

EA01001: BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS

Engines and fuel economy

Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Fuel cost / yr
Contour	2.0L 4cyl	Automatic 4-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	20	28	23	$2700
Contour	2.0L 4cyl	Manual 5-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	21	31	25	$2500
Contour	2.5L 6cyl	Automatic 4-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	18	26	21	$2950
Contour	2.5L 6cyl	Manual 5-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	17	26	20	$3100

Fuel cost is EPA's estimate at the fuel prices of its last update, not today's.

Crash test ratings (NCAP)

Variant	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover
1999 Ford Contour 4-DR.	Not Rated	Not Rated	Not Rated	Not Rated

Service bulletins

Ford issued 182 service bulletins listed against this model year, most often about engine and engine cooling.

A bulletin tells dealers how to fix a known condition. It is not a recall and not a defect finding. Most bulletins cover several model years at once, so one listed here may not be specific to this year. The number of bulletins tracks how long and how widely a model was sold, so it is not a measure of reliability.

Date	Component	Summary
2008-05-16	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR	FORD: CERTAIN 1999-2001 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES UP TO 6000 LB GVWR REGISTERED IN NEW YORK AND CERTAIN 2001 VEHICLES UP TO 6000 LB GVWR REGISTERED IN THE STATE OF MAINE, CERTIFIED FOR SALE IN CALIFORNIA-FEDERAL EMISSION WARRANTY REFUND. *PE
2005-03-21	FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY	GUIDANCE FOR CNG TANK INSPECTION FOR VEHICLES PRODUCED AFTER DECEMBER 2, 1996. TT UPDATE. TT
2004-12-13	VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:REAR WINDOW	REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR. *TT
2004-12-13	POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)	GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT
2004-08-09	VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT	REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR. *TT
2004-07-12	VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT	INOPERATIVE ELECTRIC REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER (HEATED BACKLITE) GRID LINES, INTEGRAL ANTENNA CONCERNS. *TT
2004-05-21	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0420 AND/OR P0430/ 2.5L ENGINE ONLY. *TT
2004-01-01	STEERING:COLUMN	STEERING COLUMN SHIPPED WITHOUT CRUSH PAD - REUSE ORIGINAL CRUSH PAD IF NOT DAMAGED. *TT
2003-09-15	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT
2003-09-01	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM	MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0171/P0174 OR P1072/P0175 STORED IN MEMORY OR AS HARD FAULTS. HESITATION, LACK OF POWER OR RUNS ROUGH CONDITION. *TT

How to read this page

Complaint counts are not failure rates. A model that sells more cars draws more complaints, and owners file more often after news coverage or a recall. That is why this page compares a model year only with other years of the same generation, never with other models.

Each complaint is counted once, even when it names several components; a complaint that names several systems appears under each of them. Owner reports are quoted as filed and have not been verified by NHTSA or by us.

Every model year of this Contour, including the ones without a page of their own, is listed on the Ford Contour model page.

Sources

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: complaints, recalls and investigations (bulk files, data as of 2026-10-28).
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program: crash test ratings.
U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov: engines, transmissions and fuel economy.

MotorAlmanac is independent and not affiliated with NHTSA, EPA or any manufacturer. This page summarises public records; it is not a mechanical inspection. Before buying a used car, check its VIN for open recalls and have it inspected.