Wrench.Pro

1999 Ford Contour Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 1999 Ford Contour has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Dashboard warping and defroster vent displacement.” Ford uses the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor (IOLM) to determine when oil changes are due based on actual driving load — not just mileage. Ford's published cap is 10,000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first. The schedule below reflects Ford's Normal service intervals; F-Series trucks and Super Duty have additional towing-specific items.

Save this car as:

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1999 Ford Contour.

Reported to NHTSA

Dashboard warping and defroster vent displacement

STRUCTURE

90 NHTSA complaints · 2004-03 → 2023-05

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10416925
“WARPED DASH .THERE IS NO HELP AVAILABLE FOR THIS, IT'S GETTING SO BAD THAT IT'S HARD TO SEE OVER DASH THE DEFROSTER DOESN'T DO ITS JOB WELL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10189599
“THE FRONT DASH WILL WARP, PREVENTING PROPER AIR FLOW FOR THE DEFROSTER TO WORK ON THE FRONT WINDOWS, CREATING A SAFETY CONCERN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10150173

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Ignition key removable when not in park

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

10 NHTSA complaints · 2004-03 → 2007-12

“I INADVERTENTLY FOUND THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO ROTATE THE IGNITION KEY IN MY CAR TO THE LOCK POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT HAVING THE GEAR IN PARK AND JUST HAVING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10137420
“THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO ROTATE THE IGNITION KEY TO THE LOCK POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT THE SHIFT LEVER AND TRANSMISSION BEING IN PARK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10065040
“CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO ROTATE THE IGNITION KEY TO THE LOCKED POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WHILE DRIVING AND IN GEAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10106974

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Broken front and rear coil springs

SUSPENSION

12 NHTSA complaints · 2004-07 → 2007-12

“ON MY 1999 FORD CONTOUR WITH 95,000 KM, BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS HAVE BROKEN, PUNCTURING BOTH REAR TIRES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10185060
“THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS BROKE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10097361
“WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FRONT COIL SPRINGS SNAPPED, AND VEHICLE BECAME INOPERATIVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10080318

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel tank strap corrosion and filler grommet leaks

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

11 NHTSA complaints · 2004-12 → 2014-01

“THE FUEL TANK STRAP IS COMPLETELY CORRODED AWAY, AND THE FUEL TANK IS READY TO FALL OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10559782
“CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL TANK FILLER GROMMET WAS DAMAGED AND RUSTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10113835
“THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE AFTER FUELING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10105566

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Timing belt tensioner and pulley failures

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

6 NHTSA complaints · 2004-04 → 2008-10

“THE LOWER TENSIONER ON MY TIMING BELT DISINTEGRATED AT 49,500 MILES, ALTHOUGH THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDS THIS NOT BE REPLACED UNTIL AT LEAST 90,000 MILES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10106316
“TIMING BELT IDLER PULLEY IS BROKEN AFTER ONLY 60,000 MILES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10066179
“TIMING BELT PULLEY BROKE AT 68,000 MILES. $600 TO REPAIR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10245131

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear frame and sub-frame corrosion

STRUCTURE

4 NHTSA complaints · 2011-10 → 2017-02

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10430469
“THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS RUSTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10748430

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Headlight lens clouding and moisture

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

8 NHTSA complaints · 2004-04 → 2010-09

“I HAVE NOTICED THAT ON EVERY 1999 FORD CONTOUR THE HEADLIGHT COVERS TURN YELLOW AND START TO CRACK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10354958
“HEADLIGHTS ARE CLOUDING OVER, MAKING IT DIMMER AT NIGHT AND HARDER TO SEE THE ROAD AHEAD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10135270
“LENSES OF THE HEADLIGHTS GET WATER IN THEM WHEN IT RAINS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10120279

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Stalling and fuel pump shutoff while driving

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

15 NHTSA complaints · 2004-03 → 2013-04

“THE FUEL PUMP FAILED FREQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING, USUALLY UPHILL. CAR WOULD STALL AND SOMETIMES RESTART, CREATING A HAZARD WHEN ON THE FREEWAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10510188
“1999 FORD CONTOUR, FUEL CONSTANTLY CUTTING OFF AND NOT RESTARTING. SHOWS GAS BUT ACTS LIKE NO GAS IN CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10395413
“MY CAR SPORADIC STALLED IN TRAFFIC BECAUSE THE NEW FUEL PUMP WOULD SHUT OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10154842

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 7,500 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic Motorcraft oil per the IOLM, or every 7,500-10,000 miles. EcoBoost engines require full synthetic; Coyote 5.0L V8 specifies SAE 5W-30.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 10,000 mi

Rotate tires every 10,000 miles, or with every other oil change. F-150 4x4 owners should rotate every 5,000-7,500 miles to even out drivetrain bias wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid level every 10,000 miles. Front pads on F-150 and Explorer typically last 40,000-60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Ford specifies brake fluid replacement on an inspection basis, but moisture testing every 3 years is recommended. Replace if reading exceeds 3% water content.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. EcoBoost turbocharged engines are sensitive to airflow restriction — don't extend.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 150,000 mi

Ford 6R80, 10R80, and 8F transmissions use Mercon LV fluid rated 150,000 miles under normal service. Severe service (towing, plowing) drops this to 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD models)

Every 60,000 mi

On 4x4 models, replace transfer case fluid every 60,000 miles. Use Motorcraft XL-12 — do not substitute generic transfer case fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 100,000 mi

F-Series and Expedition: replace rear axle fluid every 100,000 miles, or 50,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip rear ends require friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs on Coyote 5.0L, EcoBoost 2.7L/3.5L, and 2.3L are rated 100,000 miles. EcoBoost engines: never exceed the interval — gap erosion causes coil failure.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

Motorcraft Orange (Dex-Cool compatible) coolant: first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000. Older trucks with Yellow Motorcraft coolant: 50,000 miles throughout.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 20,000 miles. On F-150, located behind the glove box; on Escape and Explorer, accessed from the passenger footwell.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 1999 Ford Contour reflects Ford's published service intervals and the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

Check another vehicle →