48 problems related to equipment have been reported for the 1999 Ford Contour. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The dashboard of my 1999 Ford Contour is warped beyond repair. The dashboard is peeling back from the windshield. This manufacturing defect has caused my defrost to work improperly, making visibility poor whenever the defrost would be needed. Ford has refused to help fix it although they have recognized that it is a problem with a "customer satisfaction program" that expired around the time that I purchased my vehicle. This is a huge safety issue for all Contour owners as well as all on the road.
When I go to start the car sometimes it just makes a whining noise and wont start, that happens two or three times a month, also the dash board is comming up.
The decorative plastic piece came off the dashboard shortly after the vehicle was purchased. The dealer put it back,but the piece continued coming off and it was put back again. The manufacture was not helpful to correct the defect.
Vinyl is rolling up on the vehicle's dashboard. It's getting close to passenger's side air bag, which may or may not deploy. Consumer has yet to contact dealer. Consumer has contacted dealer and several others who refused to do anything.
Since 12-15-99 I had cougar in service 3 times for water leak/ 2 times shift lock ,locked down because of brake light failure have complained about rear brake elco noise when backing up/ car hesitating at 50+ miles an hour /pulling to right when passing and giving the car more acceleration/car idling real high and wanting to take off when you first release the brake/ the windows not going up and down / the battery exploded/ the service was terrible at gateway the noise is still in the rear wheels . There is more where this came from the cougar will fall apart/ the engine or transmission is a problem . ( dot number: tire size: p/215/s0r1 ).
Full frontal collision with a larger vehicle; reported to Ford litigation; no response from manufacturer. No safety defect listed in summary.
This car has been defective since the day I bought it 10-2-99 with o5 miles on it. I've had it in the dealers shop and they agree there is a problem they cannot solve,but noe they won't even work on it anymore and hav made the statement" we have put too much money in it already" I've spoken to managers and contacted Ford motor company twice by phone the response was to give the dealer two bussiness days to let me know what they are going to do. My loaner car and appointment for the Ford motor company to review my car is 7-27-00. This car is a lemon I feel should be taken off the road, im afraid it could endanger someone not knowing what is even wrong with it ,what system or anything. Can you have any input in this situation, I have a disabled child in a wheelchair and depend solely on this car for his health and specialist appts. This car is a nessesssity not a luxury. Thankyou sincerely, virginia smith. No safety defect discussed in summary.
This is not an aesthetic complaint as classified by Ford motor corporation. Dashboard is peeling up from base of windshield and obstructing drivers view, defrost panel is now dislodged from dashboard and creating additional obstruction of driver's view and rendered non functional. The recession of the dashboard is now separating from the air bag deployment section of the dash. I purchased this vehicle new and have been the sole owner since its purchase in July 1999 and have been refused assistance. I contacted first the Ford dealership from which I purchased the vehicle and was told there was in fact a recall on this item and had since expired and was directed to call Ford motor corporation directly for further assistance. I was not notified of the recall. The three customer service representatives that I have spoken to over the past 24-30 months each confirmed the recall and noted 1) since it was classified as an aesthetic problem it had an expiration date attached it and 2) it was sent to the dealerships to expedite on vehicles that came in for scheduled maintenance visits. Again, I was not notified from either the dealership at the time of my service visits or Ford motor corporation when the recall was initiated. I have requested second opinions from outside sources that are Ford certified in body repair and each noted the ramifications of driving this vehicle without the manufacturer defect corrected is and not limited to a spontaneous deployment of the air bag and a result of a potentially fatal accident for the driver, passengers, and not excluding other drivers on the road that could inadvertently be involved. In my research of this situation I have found complaints of this nature with similar responses since 2001.
Letter on behalf of constituent re concerns about the defective warping dash on various Ford products such as his 1999 Ford Contour. The consumer stated Ford issued a recall in 2001 to replace the dash because of excessive warping. Apparently, Ford never fixed the manufacturing flaw because the replacement dash started to warp soon afterwards. The consumer stated it is a safety issue because the dash warped upwards, impacting the visibility of the driver. The warping also impacted the operation of the defroster, so the front window was not being defrosted which caused visibility issues.
Problems with vehicle's dashboard.
Consumer stated the vehicle dashboard is coming unglued. The dealership indicated that there was a consumer service campaign for the problem, however it ended in September 2002.
The consumer noticed that the dashboard was warped. This allowed big pieces of plastic to fly through. Some of the plastic pieces were sharp and came in contact with the occupants. The dashboard warping is due to the sunrays and heater blower.
Dashboard is curving up and its is progressivly getting worse, causing poor visibility. Dealer is aware of defect, and states defect is common problem.