1999 Ford Contour Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 25about this part
- Share
- 6%of 419 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 66,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1999 Ford Contour, 6% of the 419 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 66,500 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10214776, filed 2008-01, 99,279 miles“The transmission on my Ford Contour went out after just 70,000 miles. Of course it was after the warranty had ended. I did some research and found that other contours were experiencing the same problem. Ford did not recall and I paid 3000 dollars for Ford to replace it. Along with the starter. Also the battery for the car is an international battery which is for bmw's and international vehicles. Ford is american yet made a car that needed an international battery. …”
NHTSA complaint #10171844, filed 2006-10, 75,000 miles“Well I had the worst experience ever in my life since I bought this car. I had this car repaired so many time I cant start to name off dates. I do know less than 6 months after I bought this car I drove to the beach less than 30 minutes always and it cut off. It started back up, but cut off 4 time before I got home. Next day I had to take it to the dealer to repair it. Since I had this car it has been nothing but a burden. I had to replace the ball joint once before, and as I write this letter it is being done again for a 2nd time. My heat and air stop working. …”
NHTSA complaint #10118666, filed 2005-04, 30,000 miles“2 major powertrain failures. Timing belt pulley broke at 68,000 miles. $600 to repair. Automatic transmission broke at 85,000 miles. Both occurred out of the blue. Car has always been treated gently, all fluids have been changed consistently, and all routine maintenance has been completed on time. Transmission must be replaced or rebuilt with a price tag of $2k-$3k.”
NHTSA complaint #10245131, filed 2008-10, 68,000 miles“The tail lights became inoperable after four replacements. Also, the windshield wipers did not work in low gear, and the running lights malfunctioned. The electrical connector splice from the headlight switch opened. …”
NHTSA complaint #10101775, filed 2004-12, 35,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 1999 Ford Contour
93 complaintsElectrical system
65 complaintsEngine cooling
52 complaintsOther or unknown
46 complaintsBrakes
45 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
39 complaintsSuspension
32 complaintsFuel system
30 complaintsAir bags
29 complaintsTires
25 complaintsSeat belts
24 complaintsEquipment
22 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Ford Contour
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology