1999 Ford Contour electrical system problems

The 1999 Ford Contour has 81 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 13% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

Electrical System complaints

13%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Contour electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

99V060000Electrical SystemMarch 17, 1999 · 4,569 units

Defect

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. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION."

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

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.

What owners report

“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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 25, 2006 · fire

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 1999 Ford Contour have?

NHTSA has 81 complaints about the 1999 Ford Contour electrical system — 13% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1999 Ford Contour electrical system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the electrical system: 99V060000.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.