1999 Ford CONTOUR: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
391 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
60,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 137 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure is the most frequently named component, appearing in 82 of 391 complaints (21.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 47 | 12.0% |
| Engine operation | 27 | 6.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 22 | 5.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 21 | 5.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 19 | 4.9% |
| Steering behavior | 15 | 3.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure | 82 |
| Unknown Or Other | 46 |
| Tires | 21 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 18 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 13 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 13 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 13 |
| Air Bags | 11 |
Structure: 82; Unknown Or Other: 46; Tires: 21; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 18; Air Bags:Frontal: 13; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 13; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 13; Air Bags: 11
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 14 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 33 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 49 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 22 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 12 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 14; 25,000 to 49,999: 33; 50,000 to 74,999: 49; 75,000 to 99,999: 22; 100,000 to 149,999: 12; 150,000 and above: 7
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (49). 254 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 52 |
| 2001 | 42 |
| 2002 | 42 |
| 2003 | 62 |
| 2004 | 68 |
| 2005 | 55 |
| 2006 | 20 |
| 2007 | 18 |
| 2008 | 10 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2000: 52; 2001: 42; 2002: 42; 2003: 62; 2004: 68; 2005: 55; 2006: 20; 2007: 18; 2008: 10; 2009: 5; 2010: 3; 2011: 7; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Structure leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 47 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 27 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 22 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10002044 · 2003-01-06 (January 6, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE HOOD FLEW UP AND BROKE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. PH COLLISION SHOP ADVISED THAT THE HOOD LATCH AND SAFETY LATCH SEIZED OPEN. OTHER VEHICLES WERE RECALL DUE TO THIS DEFECT, HOWEVER CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT ONE OF THEM. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002044 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003649 · 2003-01-13 (January 13, 2003)
DASHBOARD IS COMING UNGLUED AND BUCKLING, OBSTRUCTING CONSUMER'S VIEW OUT OF FRONT WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003649 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003798 · 2003-01-14 (January 14, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE DASHBOARD IS COMING UNGLUED. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A CONSUMER SERVICE CAMPAIGN FOR THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER IT ENDED IN SEPTEMBER 2002.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003798 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004444 · 2003-01-22 (January 22, 2003)
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE DASHBOARD WHICH IS INOPERABLE OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT IS NOT LONGER UNDER GUARANTEE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004444 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005083 · 2003-02-01 (February 1, 2003)
THE FRONT SEAT BELTS CONSTANTLY GET TWISTED AND LOCKED UP. YOU HAVE TO STOP AND UNDO IT TO GET IT FIXED. ALSO INTERIOR LIGHT WILL JUST COME ON. AT 4 AM ON MORNING I JUST HAPPENED TO LOOK OUT AND IT WAS ON.?????? TS
Owner-reported narrative. 59,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005083 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007358 · 2003-02-13 (February 13, 2003)
THE VEHICLE STALLED, AND DID NOT RESTART.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007358 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008102 · 2003-02-25 (February 25, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008102 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008244 · 2003-02-28 (February 28, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008244 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
00V075000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
Reported: 2000-03-09 (March 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗00V350000 · Fuel System, Other:Storage:Tank Assembly
Reported: 2000-10-30 (October 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V060000 · Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
Reported: 1999-03-17 (March 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗