general problems of the 1999 Ford Contour - part 1

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Contour. Approximately six months ago, the contact noticed that the dashboard was falling apart in her vehicle. The failure occurred without warning. She first noticed the issue when the defrost vent was beginning to push outward due to the bending of the dashboard. When the glove box is opened, it falls to the floor because the entire dashboard has shifted. There was no impact to the outside or passenger compartment of the vehicle prior to the failure. The failure mileage was 40,090.

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. This is a safety hazard resulting from defective materials and poor design.

I have a 1999 Ford Contour sport v6. My motor/tranmission mounts keep failing a have replaced numerous times. Causing many engine issues. Have taken several mechanics, even dealership. Been told this is a manufacturing fault. Why has NHTSA not made a recall. To make the company fix their mistake or at least a way to keep mounts from failing. All I keep getting is "thats just how its made". When coparing the frod replacement part to those sold at my local auto parts store its the same thing. So as far as I can tell there is no improvement made to parts. Had my trans mission replaced-the transmission leaked-they noted that the leak was do to failed mounts.

I contacted Ford to find out recall information on the 1999 Ford Contour which dashboard was curling up and forward. I was told that this voluntary recall expired in 2002, and that it was not a safety issue. Therefore , it will not be fixed, and I would need to pay. I wish to state that it should be a safety problem as it is curling up and forward in the windshield. When it curls up it causes obstruction to the driver's view. Please if you would like I would be happy to take pictures. This car was becoming a safety hazard for me, and I will not be able to drive or sell it. To fix it would be more than the car was worth. Therefore, because they did not want to take responsibility I will be out of a vehicle.

Warped panel.

Dashboard is warped and in cold weather warps and has warped even worse. It obstructs the driver's view, potentially decreases flow from defrosting vents, and the view is additionally obstructed as the plastic vent cover across the dash as it is no longer retained by the warped material. Airbags may project pieces in case of deployments as cracks are visible in the dash.

In July 2002, I purchased a 1999 Ford Contour from a Ford dealer. The vehicle was a Ford certified pre-owned vehicle. Within six months of the purchase, the dash began to warp causing the defrost vent cover to pop out and not fit correctly. The Ford dealer never made me aware of a Ford customer satisfaction program (#01b78). Also, I never received any notification from Ford. Over the past four years the dash has continued to warp badly. The warping has become so bad it could interfere with the operation of the passenger airbag. Also, part of the dash is covering the defrost vent. I think Ford needs to re-open the offer to repair this defect for safety reason. I agree with the petitioner in NHTSA action number dp06004, that ". . . Improperly retained instrument panel components can be detrimental to the desired performance of front air bag deployments as well as become projectiles during air bag deployments. ".

The front dash will warp, preventing proper air flow for the defroster to work on the front windows, creating a safety concern. Also, as the dash warps upwards, the visibility of the driver greatly diminishes, creating a safety concern. I have been told by 2 Ford dealerships that this is a problem that many have experiences with the Contour, however, there is no recall on it, which seems strange because there is a very valid safety concern present. Ford acknowledges the problem and offered a one time repair/replacement of the dash, which doesn't solve the problem if dash keeps warping.

1999 vehicle, in a 6 year period, the dash warped and came unglued. This resulted in a very unattractive appearance, a non working defroster, and a dash that doesn't fit properly. I had to buy a $80. 00 kit and physically remove the entire dash from the car to install a repair kit that Ford no longer warrants to their customers. Ford charges 2 hours labor at $85. 00/hour, plus the $100. 00 kit. It took me over 4 hours to do the install, and it still does not completely fix the dash.

Nhtsa website confirms 79 similar complaints of Ford's known manufacture defects in dashboard assembly is a safety hazard that compromises the occupant/pedestrian saftey: warped dash panel and sprung out front defrost grill obstructs driver's view; loose grill strikes windshield while car in motion and could break it; deflects proper airbag deployment; proper airflow of defrost is deflected; Ford knowingly manufactures and sells defective vehicles. Then immediately issues a "customer satisfaction program" notice (in this case cps # 01b78) that has an expiration date designed to preempt manifestation of the defects by the customer. On my 1999 Ford Contour se, the defroster grill has sprung out and juts out of alignment so that the airflow from defrost mechanism is obstructed. Dashboard warped and separated from windshield on the driver's side with the fissure spreading toward the passenger side. Ford customer service declined to do repairs/replacement at no charge, stating Ford is no longer liable because the customer service program expired August 2002. Instead, the Ford dealer service department offered me the loyal customer service deal of making the repair for cost of only $1638. 12. I purchased the vehicle new in February 1999 for $18077. 16 (financed price of $24318. 40)!!! my car loan has been paid in full February 2004 with no late payments. My vehicle's routine maintenance was done by the Ford dealer's service department. I am a second time Ford owner; my previous vehicle was a 1992 Ford tempo. However, lord willing, the 1999 Contour will be my last. These are just some of the additional expenses I incurred seldom used a/c repair $275 faulty engine light 02 sensors replace $500 dealer cut brake roters too low $800.

1999 Ford Contour se sport dashboard peeling. My dashboard started to peel away at approx 60,000 miles. I now have 80,000 miles on my car. I did not receive notice of a recall on this matter, which was apparently a secret. I have owned 3 Fords and will never buy another due to the lax customer service and failure to take responsibility for product failure. I have also had all the head gaskets replaced (I am 60 and hardly hot rodding), rear struts and something related to a loud humming sound under the hood that was essential for the car to remain in working order and problems with the key sticking in the ignition and also a fuel pump.

Consumer dash board panel popped up. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the consumer was told that since he didn't reply to the recall before the expiration date they would not be responsible for replacing the panel free of charge.

Dash warp / curl / delamination dislodges defroster vent panel. Under high humidity conditions and during rain events, the defroster / defogging system is compromised and visibility is poor.

Dash board on my 1999 Ford Contour's is curling up so bad, defrost air across the wind shield is blocked not clearing fog/frost on wind shield creating a safety hazard. Also the blower fan only runs on high speed. I contacted my local dealer vollman Ford of portland, mi. Where I purchased the vehicle and spent over a $ 1000. 00 extra dollars for a the Ford extended warranty plan esp, and they said that they and Ford would not cover it under warranty and there is no recall on these items. That is strange because I have read multiple complaints on various sites from Contour owners experiencing the same problems.

Consumer complained about dash board problem. The dashboard warped, causing a visual obstruction. This was the second dashboard installed, which was done during a customer's courtesy recall. This dashboard was under warranty for 1 year only. Currently, vehicle needed another dashboard. The dealer replaced the dashboard after the consumer contacted the manufacturer.

1999 Ford Contour svt, dashboard warping. Just started this past summer (2005). Ford had a recall on this issue but it expired in August of 2002. Dashboard has peeled up so it has limited site to about 4" above the bottom of the windshield.

Consumer owned 1999 Ford Contour. Dashboard warped blocking the defogger/defroster vent. The consumer knew of other people with the same problem. Consumer bought the vehicle six months ago.

The contact stated the dashboard warped. It touched the windshield, and was pulling the passenger's air bag piece. The air bag light came on a couple of days ago. The light has not been on since. He stated now that he was using the defroster, it was coming up more. Often. The vehicle has not been inspected to see why this was occurring.

Dashboard is curling up started on the right side. Deal put some type of glue on it but its not staying down. Now almost the whole dashboard is curling up. I read there was a recall. Why were we not notified? not happy with Ford.

1. Dash warp causes visibility problems, defroster malfunction, loose trim 2. With the dash warp the vent trim is continually popping out . There has been no accident or incident but in the event of an accident I don't want the vent trim popping out and preventing airbag deployment or causing any further harm to me or my family. There have been repeated incidents of defroster causing visibility problems because of the vent trim not properly dispersing air. The vent trim was placed loosely onto the dash so the defroster would still be usable, but the warped dash prevents it from being properly secured. A new vent trim will not fix this problem. There was an old recall which included a 'repair kit', but it has expired. I would like to see the recall re-instated.

I just bought my vehicle a few days ago. I was notified of a defect of the dashboard, and could plainly see it. The dashboard has warped very badly, causing my sight to be limited. I am also having a problem with fuel injection. I had it checked by a computer and it reported that the engine was not getting enough fuel.

Dashboard, near the windshield, has lifted (warped) to the point that the defroster does not properly defrost the windshield. Dealer wants $1700 to repair the problem, because the car is 6 years old, and this was part of an expired recall. At the time of the recall I did not own the car, so I couldn't have had it repaired. Now I am held responsible for a costly repair that the dealer should repair, due to faulty craftsmanship.

The consumer stated that her air bag was making a popping sound, and the dash board buckled up.

Dashboard separated from the front windshield. This caused water to leak down into the vehicle. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

The deck over the dashboard beneath the windshield became deformed.

While driving, the dashboard panel became unattached from the console. Please fill in additional information.

When the vehicle was being inspected,the consumer was informed the dashboard was separating from the structure extending 1/4 higher than normal. They also stated that recently they've seen at least nine vehicles with this same problem. Please describe details.

Consumer noticed that the dashboard on passenger's side unexpectedly came apart. This could cause the passenger's side air bag to go off inadvertently. Consumer drove the vehicle to dealer for inspection, and mechanic indicated that there was a recall on this vehicle. But at this time it expired due to fact that consumer was the second owner. Time elapsed for this recall at this time.

While driving 30 mph the dashboard lifted up on its own. This caused the driver to have poor visibility. The cause has not been determined.

Dash board is pulling away. There was a recall in 2002 which we just discovered, we never received a notice and we are the original owners and the original recall was prior to the incident.

The consumer noticed that dash board cover lifted up, exposing installation. The dealership and manufacturer were contacted. The speedometer was replaced shortly after the dash began to come apart. The entire defroster cover was coming off and was pushing insulation out into the vent.

While driving dashboard became unglued and popped up, causing poor visibility. Dealer and manufacturer were contacted.

I have a 1999 Ford Contour. A few years ago the top of the dash warped, came up really high. It was an unsightly mess, noisy, and it also raised questions on whether the passenger side air bag would work correctly. At that time it was repaired by Ford. However with time, the repair job makes some noises and doesn't look like it's holding as well as when it was done. Ford has washed their hands of this. I believe this to be a potential safety issue and believe Ford should stand behind this dashboard problem for the life of the car. Thank you.

I received a letter from Ford in August 2001 that stated the following "the cover of the instrument panel has warped. . . . At no cost to you, your dealership will evaluate this condition and repair as required. This program will be in effect until August 31, 2002, regardless of mileage. " the dealership evaluated my car in late 2001 and stated that a repair was not necessary. However, by the summer of 2004, the warping has become so bad that the defroster grill bezel can no longer be retained by the instrument panel. Engineers at my company (which make instrument panels) stated that the warping creates a safety concern as the airbag deployment may be affected. Ford now refuses to repair the vehicle at their cost. I feel they should be liable as my vehicle was stored in the garage and therefore didn't receive the cumulative thermal energy required to warp the part prior to Ford's replacement program expiring.

My Ford Contour only has 69000 miles. Already, brakes have had to be replaced twice, dashboard curling up about 6 inches and defrost cover has come loose blocking view, now the timing belt is going bad, had to replace to motor mount. Fuel pump also went out.