Model year record

1999 Ford Contour

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 616 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V350000

Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly

Component
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
3,750
Reported to NHTSA
2000-10-30
Owners notified
2000-11-30

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF THE GROMMET IS DAMAGED, FUEL COULD LEAK. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V075000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
436,200
Reported to NHTSA
2000-03-09
Owners notified
2000-10-11

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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 campaignNHTSA 99V060000

Electrical system: ignition: switch

Component
Electrical system: ignition: switch
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
4,569
Reported to NHTSA
1999-03-17
Owners notified
1999-03-26

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Structure8245,000 mi
Unknown or other4752,000 mi
Tires2438,858 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline22
Air bags: frontal1565,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1553,488 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1349,500 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1368,000 mi
Air bags1250,000 mi
Electrical system1175,000 mi
Suspension: front11
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1177,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor10100,000 mi
Vehicle speed control1068,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition952,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash965,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling995,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components9
Equipment85,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline873,556 mi
Structure: body859,545 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator760,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch768,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner79,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.765,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights745,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump768,158 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor759,600 mi
Visibility: windshield732,000 mi
Electrical system: horn6
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood695,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage6
Suspension637,777 mi
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs685,000 mi
Visibility677,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring562,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly5100,000 mi
Interior lighting5
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel439,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers430,000 mi
Exterior lighting4
Power train: manual transmission4
Seat belts4
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly450,000 mi
Steering437,777 mi
Suspension: rear460,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element4
Visibility: glass, side/rear4
Visibility: power window devices and controls465,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys360,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe323,315 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic3100,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc3
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar3
Suspension: front: wheel bearing365,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core321,200 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer335,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery2
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control240,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap253,000 mi
Fuel system, other: delivery2
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch230,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch2
Power train: driveline: differential unit2
Seat belts: rear/other263,235 mi
Seats2
Service brakes, air29,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2
Steering: linkages2
Structure: body: door250,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt261,901 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages2
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1
Air bags: side/window1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables156,149 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly156,149 mi
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk130,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly165,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor173,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices162,600 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery150,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail157,394 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting1
Fuel system, other: delivery: fuel pump157,394 mi
Fuel system, other: storage1
Fuel/propulsion system152,238 mi
Latches/locks/linkages1
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock1
Parking brake1
Power train1
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter130,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft142,000 mi
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1
Seat belts: front170,699 mi
Seat belts: front: webbing1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1
Structure: frame and members137,777 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1100,000 mi
Suspension: front: macpherson strut15,600 mi
Suspension: front: springs: air suspension system168,000 mi
Suspension: rear: springs1
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs195 mi
Tires: markings1
Traction control system137,777 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal130,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1
Visibility/wiper1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor150,000 mi
Wheels: hub1
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs165,000 mi

The 1998 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2000 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.