1999 Ford Contour problems
Owners have filed 616 complaints about the 1999 Ford Contour with NHTSA. Structure accounts for 15.3% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of electrical system at 11.9%.
Complaints616
Crashes39
Fires19
Injuries65
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Structure 15.3% · 94
Electrical system 11.9% · 73
Engine and engine cooling 9.3% · 57
Unknown or other 7.6% · 47
Service brakes, hydraulic 7.6% · 47
Visibility 7.0% · 43
Suspension 5.5% · 34
Air bags 4.7% · 29
Severity
Of those complaints, 39 describe a crash, 19 describe a fire and 65 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 6 model years of the Ford Contour in this data, 1999 draws comparatively few complaints; 1995 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 3 in the last three years against 4 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 60,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Consumer noticed that the dashboard on passenger's side unexpectedly came apart. This could cause the passenger's side air bag to go off inadvertently. Consumer drove the vehicle to dealer for inspection, and mechanic indicated that there was a recall on this vehicle. But at this time it expired due to fact that consumer was the second owner. Time elapsed for this recall at this time. Structure
The dashboard separated from the windshield which caused the defroster vent to malfunction and blocked the driver's vision. Ak the defroster vents popped out of the dash. The dash slid up into the windshield and caused a sizeable gap between the two which restricted the drivers view. The problem may cause the passenger side air bag to deploy. Owner of the vehicle/daniel vires *scc Structure · reported at 35,000 miles
Dashboard was curling up. The consumer is concerned that air bag will be defective. *Ak the dashboard was curled so badly that an air vent popped out. The windows do not defrost properly and the air conditioner fogs the windows because the dashboard curled to the point that it touched the windshield. The consumer is concerned that this curling may affect the deployment of the air bags. *Nlm Structure
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…