Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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.
Ford motor corp is aware of a defective valve in it's Ford contours with 6 cyl 2.5l engines that causes an oil out and over-pressurized condition. My vehicle experienced this and my mechanic contacted a Ford service manager and was told that they are having a silent recall, and each case will be handled on a case by case basis. When I took the car to Ford and after keeping it for a week they determined that they would not rectify the problem because I had not received my oil change from them. I had previously taken my vehicle to Ford and spent so much money for all problems and I have well documented service records on my vehicle. I also have a college son that I purchased the same vehicle for and am afraid that his will experience the same problem while he is out on the highway. I have had to replace the engine because of this. …
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.
Dt: the consumer owns a 1999 Ford Contour that had cracks in the flywheel along the rear area of the motor. There was a ticking noise in the engine. The consumer took the vehicle to an independent transmission shop, who confirmed there was a crack in the flywheel. There was no explanation as to why this failure occurred. Apparently, it was cracking it is near the bolts that hold the flywheel onto the motor. This happened from hole to hole as if it was at a fatigued point. Was replaced at 40,000 kilometers, and the second flywheel now needs to be replaced at 126,000 kilometers. There were no other apparent problems with the vehicle other then the same issue occurring on both the original flywheels and the replacement.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Ford Contour. The contact received a letter from the manufacturer stating that the dashboard needed to be replaced. After the replacement was made, the dashboard developed a gap next to the passenger side vent, which over time, caused the vent to sink behind the dashboard. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer (ken gordon Ford) and had it repaired. While driving approximately 55 MPH under normal conditions, the vehicle overheated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the thermostat was repaired. A few days later the vehicle overheated again. The contact discovered that the timing belt and water pump needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 100,000.
1999 Ford Contour se sport dashboard peeling. My dashboard started to peel away at approx 60,000 miles. I now have 80,000 miles on my car. I did not receive notice of a recall on this matter, which was apparently a secret. I have owned 3 fords and will never buy another due to the lax customer service and failure to take responsibility for product failure. I have also had all the head gaskets replaced (I am 60 and hardly hot rodding), rear struts and something related to a loud humming sound under the hood that was essential for the car to remain in working order and problems with the key sticking in the ignition and also a fuel pump.
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. The failure of the lower tensioner caused problems with the upper tensioner, which necessitated replacement of both tensioners and the timing belt. I was charged $455 for these replacements, which should not have been necessary. Had I been driving to work and not noticed the noise the previous weekend, the car would have come to a dead stop in rush hour traffic, and myself and probably at least another 3-4 others would have been killed.
Dt*: the contact stated, while driving 45 MPH blue smoke issued from under the hood and from the exhaust pipe. There was also a rattling sound emitting from under the hood. The motor then bogged down and would not accelerate above 20 MPH. The vehicle was towed to the service dealer where upon inspection, the service dealer's mechanic determined there was no problem found. On 7/13/06, the vehicle experienced the same events and stalled on the side of the road and was unable to be restarted.
Check engine light comes on three times for different oxygen sensors. These greatly effect the gas mileage and timing of engine resulting in more expensive repairs. The mechanic stated he has seen a lot of Ford contours in with this specific problem. Cost is minimum $250-$450 to replace.
Engine complaints in other Contour years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1999 Ford Contour?
NHTSA has 52 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1999 Ford Contour, 12% of the model year's 419 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford Contour engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1999 Ford Contour, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Ford Contour engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.