The 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.

- Vista, CA, USA

I have a 1999 Ford Contour I bought it and 6 months later the timing belt went out this cost me $800 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. Also the radio has issues.

- Palestine, OH, USA

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 Ford 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.

- St Paul, MN, USA

: 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.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

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.

- Berlington , 00, USA

Vehicle stalled while driving. Driver tried restarted the vehicle five minutes later. Took it to dealer, and mechanic determined that the problem could not be duplicated.

- Washington, MI, USA

While driving 30 mph on gravel road vehicle stalled. Consumer managed to pull over and had the vehicle towed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Buffalo Center, IA, USA

Vehicle was idling too high. When the vehicle idled too high it also shut off. Consumer took vehicle to several different dealers, and vehicle was diagnosed 2-3 times. Each dealer indicated that it was the cam sensor. Consumer had a new cam sensor installed on 04/19/2004, and it was still doing the same thing, vehicle continued to idle high and then stall.

- Augusta, GA, USA

Since I took the ownership of my 99 Ford Contour svt, it has been nothing but trouble. I want to keep this short, so I will breifly tell you of the problems I have encountered. In less than 2 years this has all happened. Fog lights have gone out, twice. Cv axis boot had to be replaced due to flawed manufacturing. ABS system failure, rear window defroster went out. Its on its 3rd fuel pump. Very tough starts when its cold, stock alarm malufuction, right rear tail light went out, left front speaker went out, drivers door handle malufuction, the dash came up from the windshield back about 6". honestly there is more, I am trying to pull all this from memory. To conclude I would like to say that I will never own a Ford again. Ever.

- Boise, ID, USA