1999 Ford Contour Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 39about this part
- Share
- 9%of 419 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 56,149miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 39 complaints about the visibility of the 1999 Ford Contour, 9% of the 419 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,149 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“There was a recall on the 1999 Ford Contour lx , for the dashboard peels back. I never recieved a notice we had moved from pennsylvania to georgia. I contacted Ford and they said they could not honor their recall notice. I would have to come up with 700.00 -850.00 dollars to get it fixed. I would also have to incur payments for a rental, while my car is being worked on. Please help.”
NHTSA complaint #10124871, filed 2005-06, 106,755 miles“The dash board on my 1999 Contour has curled back and the vent mechanism has come out. Now, the defroster is obstructed and does not defrost my windshield properly. My windshield has now cracked. The dealer said this was the subject of a recall, but the recall is now expired .other problems with the car: the radio speakers have failed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10020938, filed 2003-06, 50,000 miles“The dashboard windshield air/defrosting vent cover below the windshield popped off and the dashboard padding has pealed up blocking windshield/forward visibility. This has caused the vehicle to fail the virginia safety inspection. All remedies we have tried have only seem to provide temporary relief. I have pictures. I have talked to several other Contour owners who have the same problems and I have seen contours in parking lots with similar conditions. Additionally, I was told this was identified in a past safety recall. …”
NHTSA complaint #10464182, filed 2012-07, 84,919 miles“The dashboard of our 1999 Ford Contour has experienced a severe warpage and is now resting upward about 5 inches higher than its normal position. The defroster grill popped out earlier and in the winter the defrost function does not work properly on the windshield. The current position of the warped dashboard is obstructing our visibility of the roadway and a service technician at the local Ford dealership admitted that it was a hazardous. …”
NHTSA complaint #10079006, filed 2004-06, 77,000 miles“Dashboard has delaminated at the windshield. It is blocking the view and redirected the defroster so that it will take much longer to clear windshield, but not completely. It has peeled back so far that it is now in the area of the passenger side airbag, which I felt it's a safety issue. Dealer has consistently blown me off. Finally, has answered about this after nearly a year, that I will have to pay for repair myself, minus 10% Ford safety warranty. I felt it should be paid in full by Ford. I know that I would not get full trade in value from them due to this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10043333, filed 2003-10, 40,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10014062Dec 13, 2004Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair.
- 10011159Aug 9, 2004Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair.
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
Other parts of the 1999 Ford Contour
93 complaintsElectrical system
65 complaintsEngine cooling
52 complaintsOther or unknown
46 complaintsBrakes
45 complaintsSuspension
32 complaintsFuel system
30 complaintsAir bags
29 complaintsTires
25 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
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 30, 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