How to decode a 1999 Ford Contour VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1999 Ford Contour VIN

WMI stands for World Manufacturer Identifier, a unique code that identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle and provides specific details such as the country of assembly, vehicle type, and the manufacturing plant location. For the 1999 Ford Contour, the WMI might be “1FA” for models assembled in the United States by the Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan, indicating it as a passenger car. Alternatively, models of the same car assembled in Mexico by Ford Motor Company carry the WMI “3FA”, denoting production in Rioverde, S.L.P., also classified as passenger cars. These identifiers are part of the 17-character VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), serving as a fingerprint for the vehicle, providing unique information about its origin, characteristics, and manufacturer. Understanding the WMI provides valuable insights into the vehicle’s background and specifications, helping in identification, registration, and tracking of the automobile’s history.

List of WMI Codes for a 1999 Ford Contour

WMI: 1FA

Model Years Covered: 1995-2000
Example VIN: 1FAFP68G5XK139183
Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Dearborn
State or Province: Michigan
Country: United States WMI: 3FA
Model Years Covered: 1995-1996, 1998-2000
Example VIN: 3FAFP6533XM105351
Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company, Mexico
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Rioverde
State or Province: S.L.P.
Country: Mexico

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1999 Ford Contour VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

Engine type
Transmission
Model or trim
Body style
Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a 1999 Ford Contour:

Known VDS for a 1999 Ford Contour
FP68G	FP653	FP66L	FP663	FP65Z

Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.

Character 9 is the “check digit” in a 1999 Ford Contour VIN.

Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.

10th Character in the 1999 Ford Contour VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
X	1999

11th Character in the 1999 Ford Contour VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1999 Ford Contour Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
K	Kansas City	Missouri	United States		1FAFP68G5XK139183
M	Cuautitlan	State Of Mexico	Mexico		3FAFP6533XM105351

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1999 Ford Contour

The final 6 characters in a 1999 Ford Contour’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Ford Contour’s VIN below:

How to find a 1999 Ford Contour’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1999 Ford Contour is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1999 Ford Contour. You should be able to see the VIN through the windshield on the lower corner.
Look at the door post on the driver’s side where the door latches when closed. There should be a label or sticker with the VIN for your Ford Contour.
Check under the hood; the VIN might be on a plaque or sticker on the firewall of the engine compartment.
Inspect the trunk area; the 1999 Ford Contour might have its VIN on a label located on the lid or the compartment itself.
If your Ford Contour still has its original documentation, the VIN will also be present on the vehicle title, registration, and insurance papers.

What info can a 1999 Ford Contour VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1999, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Vehicle Specifications: The dataset provides detailed insights, such as the Ford Contour being classified as a Sedan/Saloon with a V-Shaped engine configuration, possibly emphasizing its distinctive engineering and design.
Engine Details: The information specifies the engine as a 2.5 L V6 manufactured by Ford, capable of producing 200 horsepower, and featuring a Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) valve train design, potentially underlining the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
Safety Features: The dataset indicates the presence of front airbags for both the driver and passenger in the first row, reflecting on the vehicle’s standard safety features designed for occupant protection.
Fuel Type: The Ford Contour utilizes gasoline, a key detail for potential owners concerned with fuel compatibility and efficiency.
Manufacturing Location: Details such as the plant being located in Kansas City, Missouri, United States, may provide insight into the vehicle’s origin, potentially influencing consumer preference and market value.
Body Class and Doors: The vehicle is described as a Sedan/Saloon with four doors, offering critical information about its size, style, and utility, catering to specific buyer preferences.

Don’t have your 1999 Ford Contour’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

Search License Plate

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1999 Ford Contour

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Displacement (CC)	2500.0
Displacement (CI)	152.55936023683
Displacement (L)	2.5
Doors	4
Engine Brake (hp) From	200
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Manufacturer	Ford
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating To	Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Model	Contour
Model Year	1999
Other Engine Info	EFI: Electronic Fuel Injection
Plant City	Kansas City
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Missouri
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	SVT
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	1FAFP68G*XK
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	1FAFP68G5XK139183