The 1999 Ford Contour shares its platform with the Mondeo and suffers from notorious transmission cooling failures, head gasket issues on the V6, and front suspension wear. The 2.0L manual is the most reliable configuration, while automatics and V6s require cautious inspection.
Automatic Transmission Oil Cooler Failure (CD4E)
Common · high severityTypical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Pink or milky transmission fluid indicating coolant contamination, Harsh shifting or slipping between gears, Transmission overheating warnings or erratic behavior, Coolant loss without visible external leaks
Fix: The internal cooler in the radiator fails and cross-contaminates coolant and ATF, destroying the transmission if not caught early. Requires radiator replacement, transmission flush or rebuild depending on damage severity, and all cooling system service. If transmission is damaged, rebuild adds 12-16 hours labor. Preventive radiator replacement at 100k is wise.
Estimated cost: $800-1,200 radiator/flush only, $2,500-3,800 if transmission rebuild needed
2.5L V6 Head Gasket Failure
Common · high severityTypical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: White smoke from exhaust on cold start, Coolant consumption without visible leaks, Overheating or fluctuating temperature gauge, Rough idle and misfires after engine reaches operating temp, Oil contamination in coolant or vice versa in severe cases
Fix: The Duratec V6 develops head gasket leaks, often on the rear bank. Requires both heads off for proper repair (14-18 hours), resurfacing both heads, new gaskets, timing components, and cooling system service. Machine shop work adds 2-3 days. Many shops recommend camshaft inspection while apart due to wear issues.
Estimated cost: $2,800-4,200
Front Lower Control Arm Bushing and Ball Joint Failure
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking noise over bumps from front end, Wandering or unstable steering feel, Uneven or excessive inner tire wear, Steering wheel off-center after hitting bumps
Fix: The front control arm bushings deteriorate and ball joints wear, causing alignment issues and poor handling. Most techs replace entire control arms vs. pressing bushings (2.5-3.5 hours per side including alignment). Often both sides need attention simultaneously. Alignment is mandatory after replacement.
Estimated cost: $600-950 both sides with alignment
Harmonic Balancer Deterioration
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 100,000-160,000 mi
Symptoms: Vibration at idle that worsens with RPM, Visible wobble of crankshaft pulley when engine running, Serpentine belt wear or throwing belts repeatedly, Rattling or knocking from front of engine
Fix: The rubber ring separates from the hub, causing severe vibration and potential crankshaft damage if the pulley detaches. Requires special puller and installer tools (2-3 hours labor). More common on V6 but I4 also affected. If it grenades, can damage timing cover, oil pump, or crankshaft sensor. Inspect during every serpentine belt service.
Estimated cost: $350-550
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Severe clunking when shifting from park to drive or reverse, Vibration through shifter and cabin at idle in gear, Visible engine movement when revving in park, Difficulty engaging gears smoothly
Fix: The hydraulic transmission mount collapses, allowing excessive powertrain movement. Replacement requires supporting the transmission and is tight working space (1.5-2 hours). OEM mounts last longer than aftermarket. Often diagnosed alongside worn engine mounts which should be inspected simultaneously.
Estimated cost: $250-400
Ignition Switch Failure (NHTSA Recalled)
Occasional · high severitySymptoms: Key won't turn in ignition cylinder, Intermittent no-start with no electrical power, Accessories work but starter won't engage, Dash warning lights remain on after key removal
Fix: Recalled for ignition switch contact failure causing no-start or stuck key. Even if recall was performed, these switches degrade over time. Replacement requires steering column disassembly (1.5-2 hours). Check if recall was completed via VIN lookup before purchasing used. Non-recall replacements are owner expense.
Estimated cost: $250-450 if not recall-covered
Fuel Tank Filler Neck Corrosion (Rust Belt Cars)
Occasional · medium severitySymptoms: Fuel smell near rear of car especially after fillup, Difficulty filling tank (pump clicks off repeatedly), Visible rust or fuel staining around filler area, Check engine light with EVAP system codes
Fix: Salt-belt cars develop corrosion at filler neck where it meets tank, causing leaks and fill issues. Recall addressed some tank straps but not filler neck rot. Requires dropping tank and replacing filler neck assembly (2.5-3.5 hours). More common in northeast/midwest cars. Inspect before purchase in rust states.
Estimated cost: $400-650
Buy only if it's a 2.0L I4 manual with documented maintenance and you can wrench yourself; avoid automatics and V6s unless you're prepared for $3k-5k in deferred repairs.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.