Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1999 Ford Contour. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗FORD/FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
FORD/REAR BRAKE VALVE
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
FORD/FMVSS 114
- Summary
- 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."
- Consequence
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (419)
419 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The structure is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 419 |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 93 | 22.2% |
| Electrical system | 65 | 15.5% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 52 | 12.4% |
| Unknown or other | 46 | 11% |
| Service brakes | 44 | 10.5% |
| Visibility | 38 | 9.1% |
| Suspension | 32 | 7.6% |
| Air bags | 29 | 6.9% |
| Fuel system | 29 | 6.9% |
| Power train | 25 | 6% |
How 1999 compares with other Contour years
Best and worst Contour years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 3 | 0 |
| 1994 | 12 | 0 |
| 1995 | 891 | 8 |
| 1996 | 563 | 8 |
| 1997 | 218 | 5 |
| 1998 | 846 | 9 |
| 1999 | 419 | 3 |
| 2000 | 199 | 5 |
| 2001 | 4 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 25 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,700
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 356 g/mi
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 25 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 31 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 28 / 23 | $2,900 | 386 |
| 2.5 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
| 2.5 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | $3,350 | 444 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1999 Contour for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1999 Ford Contour FAQ
How many recalls does the 1999 Ford Contour have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 00V350000 (fuel system), 00V075000 (brake), 99V060000 (electrical). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1999 Ford Contour problems?
Owners filed 419 complaints with NHTSA. Structure (93), Electrical system (65), Engine and engine cooling (52) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1999 Ford Contour get?
EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 21 city, 31 highway and 25 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1999 Contour compare with other years?
Among the 1993–2001 Ford Contour model years at least five years old, the 1993 drew the fewest complaints (3) and the 1995 the most (891). The 1999 drew 419. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.