1999 Ford Contour

● Typical for this model
1999 Ford Contour
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Contour Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1999 highlighted. 1993: 3 complaints 1993 1994: 12 complaints 1995: 891 complaints 1995 1996: 563 complaints 1997: 218 complaints 1997 1998: 846 complaints 1999: 419 complaints 1999 2000: 199 complaints 2001: 4 complaints 2001
1999: 419 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19933
199412
1995891
1996563
1997218
1998846
1999419
2000199
20014

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

STRUCTURE 20%

20% of complaints: structure — 82 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THE DASHBOARD WINDSHIELD AIR/DEFROSTING VENT COVER BELOW THE WINDSHIELD POPPED OFF AND THE DASHBOARD PADDING HAS PEALED UP BLOCKING WINDSHIELD/FORWARD VISIBILITY. THIS HAS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FAIL THE VIRGINIA SAFETY INSPECTION.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120704

TIRES 5%

5% of complaints: tires — 22 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 5%

5% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 20 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
AIR BAGS 4%

4% of complaints: air bags — 15 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

GOING APPROX 30MPH & SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING A CAT. LEFT FRONT WHEEL HIT CURB & BOTH AIR BAGSS POPPED OUT & QUICKLY DEFLATED. BROKE WINDSHIELD. WAS ABLE TO STUFF AIR BAGS BACK IN. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CHECK & CORRECT AIR BAGS.

NHTSA ODI report, 19990811

AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON HARD FRONTAL IMPACT WITH OTHER VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19990405

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 3%

3% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 14 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19990326 — electrical system

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 WIT

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.

Campaign 99V060000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20001011 — service brakes, hydraulic

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

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.

Campaign 00V075000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20001130 — fuel system, other

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,

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET.

Campaign 00V350000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20010105 — EA (closed 20010731)

BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS

R 20060320 — service brakes, hydraulic

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 BRAN

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 1-800-32

Campaign 06E022000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20061023 — DP (closed 20070410)

INSTRUMENT PANEL COVER WARPAGE

R 20080522 — suspension

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 WIT

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.

Campaign 08E033000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1999 Ford Contour — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for structure issues (82 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for tires issues (22 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (20 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 99V060000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V075000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V350000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E022000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08E033000 (suspension) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2000 ▲ 1997 ◆ 1996

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ■ 1998 ◆ 1996

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1999 Ford Contour reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Ford Contour is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Ford Contour?

The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1999 Ford Contour have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.