1999 Ford Contour Owner Complaints

The dash is curling up

NHTSA ID

11520293

Incident

May 1, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID

10954971

Incident

Feb 14, 2017

Mileage

120,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10851796

Incident

Sep 30, 2014

Mileage

96,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10748430

Incident

Jun 29, 2015

Mileage

110,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10559782

Incident

Jan 14, 2014

Mileage

100,000 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10510188

Incident

Nov 9, 2010

Mileage

52,238 mi

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. *JS

NHTSA ID

10464182

Incident

Mar 9, 2009

Mileage

84,919 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10430469

Incident

Oct 14, 2011

Mileage

107,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10416925

Incident

Dec 12, 2008

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

NHTSA ID

10399853

Incident

Apr 8, 2011

Mileage

180,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10395413

Incident

Apr 7, 2011

I HAVE A 1999 FORD CONTOUR SPORT V6. MY MOTOR/TRANMISSION MOUNTS KEEP FAILING A HAVE REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES. CAUSING MANY ENGINE ISSUES. HAVE TAKEN SEVERAL MECHANICS, EVEN DEALERSHIP. BEEN TOLD THIS IS A MANUFACTURING FAULT. WHY HAS NHTSA NOT MADE A RECALL. TO MAKE THE COMPANY FIX THEIR MISTAKE OR AT LEAST A WAY TO KEEP MOUNTS FROM FAILING. ALL I KEEP GETTING IS "THATS JUST HOW ITS MADE". WHEN COPARING THE FROD REPLACEMENT PART TO THOSE SOLD AT MY LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE ITS THE SAME THING. SO AS FAR AS I CAN TELL THERE IS NO IMPROVEMENT MADE TO PARTS. HAD MY TRANS MISSION REPLACED-THE TRANSMISSION LEAKED-THEY NOTED THAT THE LEAK WAS DO TO FAILED MOUNTS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10395278

Incident

Dec 7, 2007

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT WAS REFUELING THE VEHICLE WHEN HE NOTICED LARGE AMOUNTS OF FUEL SPILLING FROM THE VEHICLE AND ONTO THE GROUND ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED HIM THAT THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET WAS LEAKING. THE CONTACT REFERENCED THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V350000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SECURE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT HIS EXPENSE BUT WAS AWAITING THE REQUIRED PARTS NEEDED FOR REPAIRS, WHICH WERE ON BACKORDER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,556.

NHTSA ID

10386487

Incident

Mar 3, 2011

Mileage

73,556 mi

DASH CURLING BACK. STRAP FOR FUEL TANK RUSTED, GOING TO BREAK, RUST ON BRAKE LINE, RUST UNDER BOTH BACK DOORS AND SPREADING TO UNDERNEATH CAR, RADIO SPEAKERS OUT, CAR HESITATES WHILE ACCELERATING, TRUNK LEAKS DEFROSTER NOT WORKING PROPERLY BECAUSE OF DASH. WAS NOT AWARE OF A RECALL FOR DASH. SHOULD BE RECALL FOR CORROSION PROBLEM AS IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE NO OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION SO I TAKE A HUGE CHANCE EVERYTIME I DRIVE WHICH IS 3 OR 4 TIMES A WEEK TO WORK.. FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON FOR NO REASON. PIECE OF JUNK AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER CAR. FORD SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES. THEY SHOULD HAVE TO FIX THESE CARS OR REPLACE THEM. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE STRAP FOR FUEL TANK IS GOING TO BREAK. THE CAR ONLY HAS 61,000 MILES ON IT. WHAT A JOKE! *TR

NHTSA ID

10379607

Incident

Feb 15, 2002

I HAVE NOTICED THAT ON EVERY 1999 FORD CONTOUR THE HEADLIGHT COVERS TURN YELLOW AND START TO CRACK. I HAVE CHECKED A LOT OF PLACES AND LOOK AT THE LIGHTS AND EVERYONE I HAVE SEEN ARE THE SAME. I CAN'T DRIVE WITH MY LIGHTS ON LOW BEAM AT ALL. I KEEP THEM ON HIGH BEAM SO THAT I CAN SEE. LOW BEAM LOOKS AS IF THEY AREN'T ON. *TR

NHTSA ID

10354958

Incident

Jun 10, 2001

I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTICES, BUT I NEED TO KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY. I HAVE A 1999 FORD CONTOUR, PURCHASED NEW, ONE OWNER, WHERE THE DASH IS CURLING BACK, THE HEADLAMPS COLLECT MOISTURE, THE TAIL LAMP HAS BEEN REPLACED REPEATEDLY, AND NOW THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS SHOWING UP ON A READ-OUT. I HAVE ASKED OVER THE YEARS ABOUT THE PROBLEMS, AND I'VE ALWAYS BEEN TOLD THEY ARE NOT MANUFACTURE ISSUES, BUT CURRENT READINGS SUGGEST OTHERWISE. I REALLY NEED TO GET THESE ITEMS CORRECTED IF THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10347925

Incident

Nov 16, 1999

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

NHTSA ID

10339319

Incident

Jun 18, 2010

Mileage

122,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10287331

Incident

Sep 18, 2009

Mileage

37,777 mi

LETTER ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE CONCERNS ABOUT THE DEFECTIVE WARPING DASH ON VARIOUS FORD PRODUCTS SUCH AS HIS 1999 FORD CONTOUR. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED FORD ISSUED A RECALL IN 2001 TO REPLACE THE DASH BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE WARPING. APPARENTLY, FORD NEVER FIXED THE MANUFACTURING FLAW BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT DASH STARTED TO WARP SOON AFTERWARDS. THE CONSUMER STATED IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE DASH WARPED UPWARDS, IMPACTING THE VISIBILITY OF THE DRIVER. THE WARPING ALSO IMPACTED THE OPERATION OF THE DEFROSTER, SO THE FRONT WINDOW WAS NOT BEING DEFROSTED WHICH CAUSED VISIBILITY ISSUES. *JB

NHTSA ID

10287509

Incident

Jan 1, 1901

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.

NHTSA ID

10286598

Incident

Oct 2, 2009

Mileage

150,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD CONTOUR. APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS AGO, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS FALLING APART IN HER VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. SHE FIRST NOTICED THE ISSUE WHEN THE DEFROST VENT WAS BEGINNING TO PUSH OUTWARD DUE TO THE BENDING OF THE DASHBOARD. WHEN THE GLOVE BOX IS OPENED, IT FALLS TO THE FLOOR BECAUSE THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD HAS SHIFTED. THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO THE OUTSIDE OR PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,090.

NHTSA ID

10273662

Incident

Jun 5, 2009

Mileage

40,090 mi

REAR BRAKE FAILURE ON 99 FORD CONTOUR SE CONTACTED DUTRO FORD ZANESVILE OHIO SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10270171

Incident

May 21, 2009

Mileage

160,000 mi

HAPPENED AROUND OCT 15, 2008 AT NIGHT, BETWEEN MARSHALL AND OLIVET MI. FAILURE WAS WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE, CAUSING WIPERS TO BLOW OFF THE VEHICLE. PART IS HARD TO FIND, LOOKING TO GET IT FIXED FOR SAFETY OBVIOUSLY. WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE WELL, SINCE NEXT EXIT WAS STILL MILES AWAY. NO EASY WAY TO FIX THIS IN AN EMERGENCY, LIKE THIS. THIS TYPE OF LINKAGE IS UNSAFE, AND I BELIEVE ANY VEHICLES WITH IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10246227

Incident

Oct 15, 2008

Mileage

157,000 mi

DASHBOARD IS CURLING UP STARTED ON THE RIGHT SIDE. DEAL PUT SOME TYPE OF GLUE ON IT BUT ITS NOT STAYING DOWN. NOW ALMOST THE WHOLE DASHBOARD IS CURLING UP. I READ THERE WAS A RECALL. WHY WERE WE NOT NOTIFIED? NOT HAPPY WITH FORD *TR

NHTSA ID

10246022

Incident

Feb 23, 2005

Mileage

45,000 mi

2 MAJOR POWERTRAIN FAILURES. TIMING BELT PULLEY BROKE AT 68,000 MILES. $600 TO REPAIR. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BROKE AT 85,000 MILES. BOTH OCCURRED OUT OF THE BLUE. CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN TREATED GENTLY, ALL FLUIDS HAVE BEEN CHANGED CONSISTENTLY, AND ALL ROUTINE MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN COMPLETED ON TIME. TRANSMISSION MUST BE REPLACED OR REBUILT WITH A PRICE TAG OF $2K-$3K. *TR

NHTSA ID

10245131

Incident

Jul 22, 2008

Mileage

68,000 mi