1999 Ford Contour
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Body, Seats & Latches
Body, Seats & Latches leads by volume: 98 of 419 complaints (23%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (21) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 846 in 1998 to 419 in 1999.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | vs. 1999 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,600–2,950 | 2,500–2,950 | 2,500–3,100 | 2,500–2,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 21–24 | 21–25 | 20–25 | 21–25 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18–21 / 27–30 | 17–21 / 26–32 | 17–21 / 26–31 | 18–21 / 26–31 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 370–423 | 355–423 | 355–444 | 355–423 | |
| Complaints filed | 218 | 846 | 419 | 199 | |
| Recalls issued | 8 | 12 | 5 | 7 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 11 | 50 | 28 | 8 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 10 | 20 | 10 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 10 | 54 | 34 | 8 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1999 Ford Contour have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1999 Ford Contour?
Body, Seats & Latches: 98 of 419 NHTSA complaints (23%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1999 Ford Contour get?
EPA rates it 20–25 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1999 Ford Contour?
EPA estimates $2,500–$3,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 20 mpg | 28 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 21 mpg (high) | 31 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | $2,500 (low) | 355 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 18 mpg | 26 mpg (low) | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 17 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | $3,100 (high) | 444 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 52 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 30 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 69 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 46 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| Steering | 12 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 56 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 47 | 19 | 3 | 21 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 13 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 98 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 51 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 66 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
SUSPENSION · Campaign 08E033000 · Apr 17, 2008
Defect: FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Consequence: 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. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · Campaign 06E022000 · Mar 13, 2006
Defect: CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY · Campaign 00V350000 · Oct 31, 2000
Defect: 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS · Campaign 00V075000 · Mar 14, 2000
Defect: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH · Campaign 99V060000 · Mar 25, 1999
Defect: 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.