Body complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I had just got on interstate when my car started cutting out. I immediately put my flashers on & tried to get in the left lane so I could get on shoulder of interstate but cars would not allow me to get over. My car died in middle of interstate. I called asap (a service in alabama for help on the interstate) & told them where I was & I needed them to bring me some gas. Then a car came flying up behind me but was able to stop & did not hit me. Then the car behind him had stopped but a truck behind her was not able to stop. He hit her, she hit the man behind me and he hit me. Paramedics were called for a 4 year old in the womans car who said his head hurt. I could have been killed if the car behind me had hit me and turned my car sideways & was hit on the side by another car, because everyone was driving way too fast and did not acknowledge my flashers at all. …
The vinyl covering on the dashboard is peeling away from the underlying structure. It has, over a period of about 5 months, peeled back far enough that it obstructs the view out of the windshield. The windshield defrost vent trim no longer fits into place. The defroster no longer works properly, as the vinyl now obstructs the air flow. The vinyl is also in such a position as to potentially impede the functon of the passenger-side airbag. Ford has issued a couple of 'campaigns', as they call it, but both have expired. My dash was not warped during the period of the campaign, and so was not replaced at that time. Since the extended warranty does not cover the dash, Ford will not cover the full cost of the replacement (~$1200). The dash on a 3.5 year car should not warp so badly it looks like a pringles chip. …
I was never notified of any recalls. I have had to pay out of pocket expenses lost control of vehicle replaced starter and brakes several times feels like suspension is falling apart and never notified I have small and older children shameful. These events starting taking place when I purchased the vehicle in 1999 arm control 3 times replaced I was lied to by Ford and said I must of hit a bump bump my bump 3 times almost dead.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford Contour. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle started to wobble. The contact noticed that the rear frame was rusted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
Drivers side door window crank shaft (manual window) snapped off clean inside regulator leaving window utterly inoperable. This happened during normal operation of window during normal operating conditions and warm weather. Dealer claimed "it happens a lot". Very dangerous if vehicle was in a fire, accident, submerged in water etc.
The vehicle was taken to the dealer on 6/17/2003 for recall# 01V255000 subject: front coil spring corrosion. On 7/8/2003 the vehicle hit a pothole. The shield that was installed due to the recall went down onto the front passenger side tire. The dealer was contacted but refused to make any repairs.
Took my car in for rattling when driving and steering. They ordered tack shield and bolts. Took it back in, they installed parts and said it didn't fix the problem. Had to order rack and pinion. Kept the car until that came in and installed it. A few days later it started squealing and smoking. Took it back in and they said it was leaking power steering fluid but they didn't know why. They kept it for a week, decided it was a defective part and installed another rack and pinion. Got it back and it was still rattling and now it has a low growl sound at an idle. Took it back. They had to replace the idler pulley and the right swade bar link. The growl is still there but they're saying that is now normal. It is not normal. It was not there until they started screwing around in there. This car is a piece of junk!
Power locks will not open doors. Consumer took vehicle to dealer and they are replacing the latch. The doors are not power but operate manually. When inside of vehicle the doors will not open from the inside. If you push the button to unlock the doors they still do not unlock. Doors will only open from the outside with a key after unlocking them.
NHTSA investigations
Instrument panel cover warpage
The agency has denied a petition requesting an investigation of instrument panel warpage for the subject vehicles. The notice of denial was published in the federal register, volume 72, number 67, on Monday, April 9, 2007, pages 17605 and 17606.see document search for details.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Contour years have body problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1999 (93), 2000 (79), 1998 (18), 1996 (15) and 1995 (14) model years. Body complaints make up 22% of all complaints for the 1999.
Is there a recall for Ford Contour body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for any Ford Contour model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Ford Contour body problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 49,000 miles; 49% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the body › door (23 mentions), followed by the body (15).
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.