Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Ford Contour owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle caught on fire while in gear. A pop noise was heard and smoke came out from under the hood. The front of the vehicle then caught fire. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss and it was never taken to a service dealer. A fire department report was processed. Updated 12/11/06.
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. On three separate occasions, the vehicle rolled while parked, because the key was removed from the ignition while the gear was still in drive.
While traveling on the highway and without prior warning, a fog of mist leaked through the vents. The vehicle caught on fire in the engine compartment. Per inspection; a short was found in the main wiring loom. The vehicle was totaled.
Stalls and won't restart. I had the alternator changed and the fuse behind the head light switch by Goodyear. They did a complete diagnostics test and said the only thing it could be was the alternator and maybe the fuse. I got the car back and it ran fine for about 3 hour's then stalled. I had to take it back 3 more times after the initial visit and still had the same problem. Good year could not figure out the problem and had my car towed to a Ford dealer ship where I had to pay again for a diagnostic test which came back clean, so they suggested a new battery and fuse. The car was working fine until exactly one year later when the same exact thing happened, it stalled yet again. I can barely open the door's with my key and it takes about three times to do so. I went to walmart and bought some fuse's and for now is working. …
I recently became aware of a recall that occurred in 2001 on 1995-1999 Ford contours, Mercury mystiques, and cougars. The dashboard in my 1999 Ford Contour is tearing and a friend of mine told me there was a recall on it. So I decided to check the recall information on NHTSA's website. Instead I found other disturbing information. According to a report listed, the blower switch / resistor overheats and starts or could start a fire. It also states that "failure of the blower switch causes loss of one or more blower speeds". However, I was never notified about neither recall. In July 2003, I had to have my 1999 Ford Contour (bought brand new) repaired because my A/C stopped working. The repairs involved the wiring in the fuse panel (repaired) and the blower / resistor was replaced. …
I have a 1999 Ford Contour I bought it and 6 months later the timing belt went out this cost me $800.00 out of pocket after the warranty paid their part. Drove it another 3 months when it stalled out and started sputtering I replaced the plugs, wires, ignition control box, and fuel filter and found a hose that had a hole in it from being melted after replacing all of that found the transmission to be leaking and no way to get to it easily. Still ran crappy took it to a garage and was told they could not figure it out brought it home and it won't run anymore it still does not run not sure what else to do had to buy another vehicle to get to and from work while still paying on this one and can not use it anymore. This is my second Ford and I will not ever get another one. And with all this going on when the mechanic shut the back passenger the glass shattered and it was shut normally. …
Dt: the consumer could hear the radiator coming on/over and over again. Previously it overheated in June 2004. When the consumer took vehicle to dealer for repairs they changed the thermostat, added more water to the radiator, and something else in the transmission area. When the consumer picked up the vehicle the problem recurred. Afterwards, there was a rattling noise coming from the dashboard. They told her that it was due to a bracket that broke.. Dealer replaced the radio. The consumer stated that the air conditioner was no longer working properly since they replaced the radio. Also, the dashboard was loosening and there were wires showing. The front driver's side window knob came off. These were the only known problems with the vehicle at this time. There had been no accidents concerning these issues.
Vibration when brakes applied. This problem started before I even pulled off the lot when I bought it used. The dealership had supposedly fixed it. Now, this was the second time that I needed to replace the rotors and brake pads. The first time I bought a set of tires, then got an alignment. Was told I needed different tires since the vibration did not stop. Bought more tires ,and was told that it had nothing to do with the alignment. Today, my car would not accelerate. The check engine light came on, and I immediately took it to a repair shop. It's going to cost $120 just to have diagnostics done. I also heard strange noises from the back of the car every time I brake. I'm shopping for a new car tomorrow. I have yet to meet someone who can tell me exactly what was wrong with my car and fix it!
The transmission on my Ford Contour went out after just 70,000 miles. Of course it was after the warranty had ended. I did some research and found that other contours were experiencing the same problem. Ford did not recall and I paid 3000 dollars for Ford to replace it. Along with the starter. Also the battery for the car is an international battery which is for BMW's and "international" vehicles. Ford is American yet made a car that needed an international battery. So a year and a half after the transmission was replaced sears has informed me that the transmission is leaking fluid and recommends I not drive the vehicle any more. While that happened the alternator went out on it. This car is junk and Ford knows it!! Yet they have done nothing about it!!!
The tail lights became inoperable after four replacements. Also, the windshield wipers did not work in low gear, and the running lights malfunctioned. The electrical connector splice from the headlight switch opened. (the right side tail light was inoperative) the tail lights, front running lamps were out again, a fuse was bad and found some more wires in the trunk wired incorrectly, the dashboard lights and the license plate tail lights worked intermittently, there was a wiring short in the harness in the cowl area, there was a blown fuse in the exterior lighting, on another occasion, the #33 fuse was found open, the sunroof was inoperative due to a shorted motor, bad drive gear and two cables.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
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.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Blower switch/resistor or wiring harness
There is no summary currently available
Electrical complaints in other Contour years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1999 Ford Contour?
NHTSA has 65 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Ford Contour, 16% of the model year's 419 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford Contour electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 99V-060 (switch, Mar 17, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Ford Contour electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 8 fires and 1 injury to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.