general problems of the 2000 Ford Contour - part 2

The dashboard was peeling and it was rolling into the windshield covering up the vehicle identification number. A service bulletin was discovered and the manufacture was notified and they denied the claim at the time of the bulletin.

Ltr from doug holt (GA) re defective dashboard in his 2000 Ford Contour, dashboard has curled upwards 2 inches in front of the windshield obstructing wife's view when driving car, reply attn shannon bowen/toccoa dist. Ofc. Dot/I/#2004-511. This occurred during the summer heat. Ford was aware of the problem and had a repair program which ended the month the consumer purchased the vehicle. The problem was classified as a non-recall issue and would possibly deny the consumer for repairs.

Dashboard separated from structure and rose upwards about two inches in front of the windshield. As a result, defroster was not functioning properly and the windows were not being cleared.

When vehicle was parked consumer noticed that dashboard was warped, and separated from panel. Will be taking vehicle to dealership to have mechanic check the interior.

Vents inside of the dashboard compartment popped out while driving on the highway. The panel fell out onto the floor. Dealer was aware of the problem.

The dash is lifting off where windshield and dash meet, across the length of the windshield. Consumer was told by dealer there was a customer satisfaction program but it had expired in August of 2002.

The dashboard separated from the structure and lifted upwards. Driver was unable to see clearly through the windshield. Obstruction caused poor visibility . Cause of the separation was undetermined. Heat may have caused the separation.

2002 Ford Contour, dashboard started peeling up. It gets worse every month.

Entire dashboard is warping out of shape. Although vehicle is kept in an air conditioned garage it still seems that the dashboard is assaulted by the heat of the sun. Warping is causing the vents of dashboard to become misaligned.

Consumer noticed dashboard falling down. Dealer notified.

I own a 2000 Ford Contour that was bought in 2001. The dash panel around the defroster grill has peeled back. I recently found out there was a recall for this problem but I never received a notice. Ford wants me to pay $1600 to replace the dash. I feel that since I was never notified about this I shouldn't have to pay to have my dash replaced.

Dashboard began slowly warping over a year. It got to the point where visibility ahead was compromised, and the defroster vents were no longer functioning. Dealer would not cover a replacement, so I had the work done at a local body shop at my full cost. So far, the replacement dash is ok.

The design of the dashboard may cause the air bag not to deploy when needed.

The dash board came apart.

The dash board became detached from the grill.

Consumer states that dashboard is buckling,causing windshield defroster vents to move out of alignment. Consumer cannot defrost front windshield when necessary. This results in poor or no visibility.

The vehicle was serviced under the TSB 10001899 instrumental panel warpage repair warranty, but the failure hadn't occurred, so the part wasn't replaced. Failure occurred, and the manufacturer refused to honor the warranty based on the campaign ending.

Same as many other complaints. The dash board is coming apart and curling up so that the defroster vent is blocked causing a safety problem. Ford wants me to pay ($500. 00) to fix an obvious defect in the car as manufactured. Ford needs to step up to the plate and take responsibility.

2000 Ford Contour, 4-door sedan, VIN: [xxx] ------ entire dashboard is coming unglued/disconnected. It is raising up in front of the windshield, this is starting to obstruct the driver's view, the defrost deflectors are no longer operable to deflect the air onto the windshield and it has compromised the possible operation of the passenger airbag. Ford motor company has issued numerous recalls about this serious Ford Contour problem. But, the local Ford dealership says that this vehicle is not on the recall list. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

- the contact stated in an attemptto drive the 2000 Ford Contour she got in and saw that the dashboard was peeling. The contact stated that all types of weather made it peel more and more. Her vehicle could not pass inspection.

The dash board is curled up. The problem started in 2002 and has slowly continued to get worse. We contacted Ford and they said that there was a recall but that the time frame for making a claim had expired. We didn't proceed further because they told us it would cost us $1000 to fix. Our warranty said they wouldn't cover it because they considered it "upholstery. " we have just left it. It is a safety issue because it makes it very difficult to see over the curled dash board. Plus, in the winter, the window doesn't defrost properly, again making it difficult to see. I just saw your website on line today, which is why we didn't contact you earlier.

I,too, have the dashboard peeling issue. I did receive a letter, but at the time there was no problem. 2 months after the expiration date, my dashboard was warping. I contacted Ford and they said it was too late. The car is a 2000 and this defect was occurring 2 years later. I certainly believe Ford should fix this.

Vehicles' instrumental panel started to delaminate. Consumer took vehicle to dealership to be serviced, who informed them at that time there was a recall for this part. Consumer was never notified, and recall campaign has expired. Ts .

Foam cover on dashboard has warped. Edge nearest windshield has curled up and is now touching windshield at least 5 inches from base. Warped dashboard blocks air from defroster resulting in safety hazard as visibility is significantly reduced especially in cold weather. This is the result of a known defect (TSB 01b78). Ford had an owner notification program in place but I never received a letter despite owning the car and having it registered at the time. A supervisor at the Ford "customer relationship center" told me that "it must have been lost in the mail". I was told that the repair offer has now expired. This is no longer an aesthetic problem as the blockage of the defroster severely compromises safety.

Consumer states that the dashboard has disconnect from the windshield causing a glare and it is causing it to be hard for the consumer to see while driving. Dealer notified. Nlm.

Dash board is curling up from windshield area, defroster does not work as well, grill is detached also.

1) no event yet. 2) the dash is curled and pulled away from windshield to the point the defrosters can't work. The entire front dash assembly has twisted until there is tension on the airbags, steering wheel, stereo has fallen out, no venting works. So much distortion that we are fearful of the air bags releasing any time the vehicle hits a bump. 3) I took the car to the dealer for other maintenance issues the first year and asked him about the dash, why it was pulling away from the car. He couldn't explain it. Three times the first year we had this discussion. The following year he mentioned a recall on my vehicle for the dashboard, but stated "it's too late now, it ended in October". I went to the owner of the community Ford where we purchased the car and he told me I had to "go to the manufacturer, Ford" and get the dash replaced. " I've contacted Ford motors via-e-mail, and get no response. 4) the defrosters can't operate because the dash has curled and blocks air from reaching the glass. Visibility is obstructed. Very dangerous to drive. The movement and distortion of the entire front dash is dangerous for my family for fear of the air bags releasing or the dash just simply falling into our laps while we are traveling. 5) I purchased the car new and these problems started within three months of owning the vehicle. I've heard other similar complaints about this particular model of vehicle. 6) I like the car, has good gas mileage, etc. , and can't afford a new one. The safety issues need to be dealt with. 7) someone will be killed driving this car.

The fuel pump was replaced twice. Engine hesitated, surged and lost power. Fuel pump assembly had to be replaced twice within a 2 year period. Also the dashboard started to lift. Recall for dashboard repairs already expired.

The dashboard adhesive is defective on my 2000 Ford Contour svt. The dash around the defroster vent and up to the windshield has warped so badly that the defroster vent actually popped out of the dash and hit the windshield while driving down the road. The dash eventually curled up high enough to touch the dash, making the defroster ineffective to clear fogging on the windshield. The passenger airbag is also separating from the dashboard due to the warping. Ford had originally had a service bulletin for this problem, but only left it open for a short period of time. The problem is a design flaw, so I am indicating the vehicle's build date as the incident date, even though the dash continues to get worse.

Fax fm consumer who is attempting to get assistance re a warped dashboard on his wife's 2000 Ford Contour, dissatisfied w/NHTSA's prev. Responses, reply east georgia reg. Ofc. , dot/I#2005-6046.

Dealership will not honor the recall to replace the dash board. Dealer said that this recall was voluntary, and the time limit warranty had expired. However, owner was not notified in a timely manner. Dealer said sorry, too bad. Ford indicated that it will not pay for what needed to be done.

The dash board lifted up.

Dashboard warped and separated from the body of vehicle. This caused the defroster not to work properly and made it difficult for the driver to judge the distance of the vehicle in front of his vehicle. The transmission also experienced delayed shifting.

Panel near the front windshield warped in two places. Since the panel was warped, it caused the heat vent to become partially blocked and subsequently the windows did not defrost.

The dashboard peeled back and caused poor visibility while driving. Please provide any additional information.