1999 Ford Contour: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 419 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (21% of complaints); the 1997 and 2000 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2008
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 419 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 · Structure · Feb 2017
“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.”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2015
“The brake lines under the car have rusted to the point of breaking apart. The vehicle has less than 100k miles and was not subject to any extreme conditions. The brake fluid leaks out of the undercarriage almost as quickly as it is poured in and has left the car undriveable without expensive repairs.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“The fuel tank strap is completely corroded away, and the fuel tank is ready to fall off. The protective coating is defective and has completely fallen off, causing the fuel strap to be eaten away by rust and corrosion. The fuel tank is going to fall off eventually. The fuel filler neck and emission fittings at the tank, are corroding badly too. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford contour. The contact was driving 15 mph when the vehicle started to sway from side to side and exhibited a loud, abnormal noise. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the rear sub-frame was completely corroded and advised the contact to call the manufacturer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 107,000.”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford contour. While the contact inspected the vehicle, he noticed that the fuel tank straps were rusted. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000. Updated 06/16/11*lj updated 07/11/11”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Apr 2011
“1999 ford contour, fuel constantly cutting off and not restarting. Shows gas but acts like no gas in car. Said to be fuel pump problem. No one can find issue. I have babies and had been stuck on freeway for over two hours when someone had to come and get us and tow vehicle home. Still not working. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Apr 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford contour. The contact stated while driving at approximate speeds of 25 mph, the vehicle abnormally accelerated without driver intent. The contact applied the emergency brake and shifted into neutral until the vehicle coasted to a stop. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop where the contact was advised there was a recall on his year, make and model (NHTSA campaign id number: 99v194000: vehicle speed control). The manufacturer advised the contact that his VIN was not included with the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000. Updated 10/27/10. *lj”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jun 2010
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford contour. While adding fuel to the fuel tank, gasoline began leaking. A technician concluded that the fuel tank seal caused the exhaust system hose to melt. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired . The failure and current mileages were 150,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Oct 2009
“I was never notified of any recalls. I have had to pay out of pocket expenses lost control of vehicle replaced starter and brakes several times feels like suspension is falling apart and never notified I have small and older children shameful. These events starting taking place when I purchased the vehicle in 1999 arm control 3 times replaced I was lied to by ford and said I must of hit a bump bump my bump 3 times almost dead. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 28 of these complaints and injuries in 34 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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 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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Contour by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Ford Contour reliable?
NHTSA has 419 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Ford Contour. The most complained-about area is structure (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Ford Contour problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,000 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Ford Contour have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.