The dash is curling up
The worst 1999 Ford Contour problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Body93
- Electrical65
- Engine53
- Brakes45
- Visibility39
- Suspension32
- Fuel system30
- Airbags29
- Tires25
- Transmission25
- Seat belts24
- Lights18
- Acceleration13
- Steering12
- Locks5
- Seats2
- Wheels2
- Driver assistance1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1999 Ford Contour
Stalling 27Fuel pump 14No deployment 13Check engine light 13Headlights 13Grinding brakes 10Coil spring 9Jerking 8Seat belt 8Fire or smoke 6Wipers 6Won't start 6Airbag light 5Hesitation 5Overheating 5
Recalls 3
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 00V350000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 00V075000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ignition: switch
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 99V060000 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 1999 Ford Contour
Defect investigations
Instrument panel cover warpage
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.
DP06004
Blower switch/resistor or wiring harness
There is no summary currently available
EA01001
Technical service bulletins for the 1999 Ford Contour 182
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Ford: certain 1999-2001 model year vehicles up to 6000 lb gvwr registered in new york and certain 2001...
- Guidance for cng tank inspection for vehicles produced after december 2, 1996
- Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair
- General (PCM) power train control module programming procedures
- Inoperative electric rear window defroster (heated backlite) grid lines, integral antenna concerns
- Malfunction indicator lamp illuminated with diagnostic trouble code P0420 and/or P0430/ 2.5L engine only
- Steering column shipped without crush pad - reuse original crush pad if not damaged
- Remote keyless entry (RKE) - service tips
- Malfunction indicator lamp on and diagnostic trouble codes P0171/P0174 or P1072/P0175 stored in memory or...
- The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) may be illuminated and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCS) P1380, P1381,...
1999 Ford Contour fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 20-21 | 28-31 | 23-25 |
| 2.5L 6‑cyl | FWD | 17-18 | 26 | 20-21 |
What 1999 Ford Contour owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The fuel pump failed frequently while driving, usually uphill. Car would stall and sometimes restart, creating a hazard when on the freeway. Eventually the fuel pump failed completely. My mechanic replaced it, having to retrofit the gas tank in order for the pump to be installed, removing certain fittings. The filler grommet was defective, and after the fuel pump was fixed and refueling was taking place, gasoline poured out of the tank and the car had to be returned to the mechanic. The replacement fuel pump failed about 10 months later, in sept. 2011. At that time, the car had been working fine the night before and wouldn't start in the morning. Ford will only guarantee the original replacement, so if the replacement had failed after more than two months, ford wouldn't have replaced the part. The driver's side window motor has broken three times. I have also had trouble with the air intake system, which causes a whine whenever the car is started cold. This is irritating, but doesn't seem to cause any difficulty with the operation of the car. The dashboard was recalled, a cheap plastic piece placed over the vents, which ruined the look of the dashboard. I persuaded the dealer to replace the dashboard as originally promised in the recall notice. The replacement has now also developed a problem with the vent being separated from the dash. There are also vague electrical problems, including surging and dimming of lights. Can't use the radio for fear of stalling the car, or use the heating system along with the rear defrost simultaneously.
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. All remedies we have tried have only seem to provide temporary relief. I have pictures. I have talked to several other contour owners who have the same problems and I have seen contours in parking lots with similar conditions. Additionally, I was told this was identified in a past safety recall. This is a safety hazard resulting from defective materials and poor design.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford contour. The contact stated the entire top of the dashboard curled upward. The damaged dashboard caused problems with the defrost and air conditioner, because the windshield would not defrost. The contact plans to take the vehicle to the dealer. The contact was concerned about the safety issue because it was hard to see out of the window whenever it rained or the weather conditions were chilly. The failure mileage was unknown, but the current mileage was 170,000.
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
Compare the 1999 Ford Contour
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Questions about the 1999 Ford Contour
Is the 1999 Ford Contour reliable?
Owners have filed 419 complaints about the 1999 Ford Contour, 104.8 times a typical Contour model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 Ford Contour?
Body and structure, with 93 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles. Next is electrical (65).
How many recalls does the 1999 Ford Contour have?
3 recalls, covering fuel system, other, service brakes, hydraulic and electrical system.
What year does the Ford Contour have the most body problems?
The Ford Contour model years with the most body complaints are 1999 (93 complaints), 2000 (79 complaints) and 1998 (18 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1999 Ford Contour get?
Official estimates for the 1999 Ford Contour range from 20 to 25 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 20-21 city and 28-31 highway.
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