CarModelProblems.com

1999 Ford Contour Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Structure — runs 3.3× the fleet median for that category across the 1176 model-years tracked on this site.
419Complaints
5Recalls
28Crashes
9Fires
34Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Structure (19.6% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Structure complaints here are 3.3× the median for that category across the 1176 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Structure82 · 19.6%not available
Tires24 · 5.7%not available
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline22 · 5.3%not available
Air Bags:frontal15 · 3.6%not available
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip15 · 3.6%RecalledRecall 06E022000 · Recall 00V075000
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine13 · 3.1%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

STRUCTURE82 · 19.6%
Unspecified / other47 · 11.2%
TIRES24 · 5.7%
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL15 · 3.6%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP15 · 3.6%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE13 · 3.1%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION13 · 3.1%
AIR BAGS12 · 2.9%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM11 · 2.6%

Percentages are the share of the 419 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 5 campaigns

Suspension

NHTSA campaign 08E033000 · 2008 · reported 04/14/2008

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.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

NHTSA campaign 06E022000 · 2006 · reported 03/13/2006

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly

NHTSA campaign 00V350000 · 2000 · reported 10/30/2000

IF THE GROMMET IS DAMAGED, FUEL COULD LEAK. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components

NHTSA campaign 00V075000 · 2000 · reported 03/09/2000

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:ignition:switch

NHTSA campaign 99V060000 · 1999 · reported 03/17/1999

THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“WHENEVER TURNING ON AIR CONDITIONER CAR HESITATES AND ON HIGHWAY, IT WON'T PICK UP SPEED.”NHTSA complaint 886682 — filed 04/24/2001 · EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
“WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN IT SUDDENLY STALLED OUT FOR NO REASON. HAD NO PRIOR WARNING OF ANY PROBLEMS. VEHICLE CAN BE RESTARTED AFTER WAITING FOR…”NHTSA complaint 886380 — filed 04/20/2001 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
“CONSUMERS HAS BEEN TO DEALER FOR THE SAME BRAKE PROBLEM 7 TIMES BEFORE AND AFTER RECALL 00V075001/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 00S03/ REAR BRAKE VALVES WAS DONE. BRAKES…”NHTSA complaint 883927 — filed 03/23/2001 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

92200481252006281520081242010832012122014112016112023

Frequently asked questions

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

Structure issues are the most-reported category, cited in 82 of 419 NHTSA complaints (19.6%), followed by unspecified/other issues (47), tires (24), engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (22). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1999 Ford Contour have?

419 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 28 involved a crash, 9 involved a fire, and 34 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 1999 Ford Contour have any recalls?

Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 08E033000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1999 Ford Contour's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.