Defogger Problems of Ford Contour - part 1

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.

See all problems of the 1999 Ford Contour 🔎.

The leading edge of the dashboard (portion nearest the windshield) has "warped" upward severely (6+ inches!). It now presses against the windshield, preventing the defroster from functioning properly at all. This is a safety hazard especially during winter months. It is unknown if this dashboard warpage would interfere with airbag deployment. There was a customer satisfaction program by Ford to correct the issue, but this program terminated in 2002, and this warpage commonly does not/did not occur until well after the program ended.

See all problems of the 2000 Ford Contour 🔎.

The dash board has been warping for the last 2 years more and more noticeably. It is now to the point that the defroster does not work properly, and I have to wipe down the inside of the windshield with a cloth and dawn dish soap (to help keep the fogging down).

The dashboard on my 2000 Ford Contour has curled up at the defroster vent and blocks the defrost airflow from flowing across the windshield.

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 has come unglued, effecting driving visability and preventing the windshield defroster from defrosting windshield. Nothing done to correct yet . Appears Ford does not want to take resposibility for this hazzardous defect.

Dash has curled up so badly that my window will not defrost. This condition has also caused my winshield to crack from on side of the car to the other. It is so bad that at times I need to wipe the windshield with one hand while driving with the other just so I can see while driving. I also have a problem with the windshield linkage that keeps coming apart during operation of the wipers causing the wipers to stop working.

The vinyl covering on the dashboard is peeling away from the underlying structure. It has, over a period of about 5 months, peeled back far enough that it obstructs the view out of the windshield. The windshield defrost vent trim no longer fits into place. The defroster no longer works properly, as the vinyl now obstructs the air flow. The vinyl is also in such a position as to potentially impede the functon of the passenger-side airbag. Ford has issued a couple of 'campaigns', as they call it, but both have expired. My dash was not warped during the period of the campaign, and so was not replaced at that time. Since the extended warranty does not cover the dash, Ford will not cover the full cost of the replacement (~$1200). The dash on a 3. 5 year car should not warp so badly it looks like a pringles chip. This is a design flaw with potential safety concerns, and should be subject to a recall.

The blower resister wires in the defroster melted almost causing a fire in the vehicle.

Consumer stated dashboard was lifting, and defogger did not work. There was a recall regarding this issue. However, there was no recall information in the system. Consumer was told that a letter was sent to her two years ago.

Dashboard cracked open and was blocking the vents in the vehicle. Consumer contacted the manufacturer, who stated there was a customer campaign at one time, however, the time expired. Consumer was not experiencing a problem with the dashboard at the time. The consumer stated that her defrosters do not work properly due to the problem. The entire vent is out. The consumer stated that she can not see out of the windsheild properly.

Purchased car in sept. 99; no dashboard warpage' received a printout of TSB# 01b78 for warpage on 8/24/01; no warpage yet. 01/07/04 received a printout from dealer of no active TSB#01b78. Dashboard warpage severe after winter of 2004. Brought into service the TSB. The dealer and Ford company failed to fix the problem. They quote the sent letters to consumers of the car. I never received a letter. The blame the us post office for the fault. Liability falls into the mfg. , which is Ford not the usps. Dashboard is warped and defroster fails to defrost the windshield in the winter due to warpage. The defrost vanes no longer fits in the dash to direct flow to windshield which causes a visual hazard to driving in foggy, wintered environments. I would like the TSB serviced due to hazard. I am orig. Owner of the car. I found all the information on my own through the internet and printouts. No official notification was served to me. The liability should to service this TSB.

The dashboard of our 1999 Ford Contour has experienced a severe warpage and is now resting upward about 5 inches higher than its normal position. The defroster grill popped out earlier and in the winter the defrost function does not work properly on the windshield. The current position of the warped dashboard is obstructing our visibility of the roadway and a service technician at the local Ford dealership admitted that it was a hazardous. There was a Ford customer satisfaction program (#01b78) which was issued in August 2001 and effective until August 31, 2002 admitting to problems with dashboard (instrument panel) warpage on the 1999 & 2000 Ford Contour. I have contacted Ford customer service on at least 4 occasions over the past year plus without any satisfaction and the problem is getting worse. The Ford dealer (heritage Ford in south burlington, vermont) indicates that this is a factory problem which is not being addressed. They were to notify a Ford regional service technician over a month ago but I haven't heard from anyone. The local dealer estimates that it would cost me $1400 to $1800 to fix this problem. Based on what I've outlined above, I feel that it should be completed at Ford's cost. I feel that this a very serious problem, which is getting worse with the impaired visibility and could possibly cause an accident. I can't even see the hood from my sitting position in the driver's seat. Also, if I were to try and sell the car, it would be basically non saleable because of this dangerous problem. There are a substantial number of complaints filed with your agency regarding this problem that I researched under the categories of other, visibility and visibility. . . Defroster among others. How many complaints are required before you force Ford to issue a recall for this very dangerous situation? Ford has already admitted a flaw in the dashboard with their customer satisfaction program. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

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 defroster did not clean the windshield properly.

The dashboard panel on my 2000 Ford Contour is warped and blocking the front windshield defroster vents. This in turn causes poor visibility, especially during rainy or snow. I notice this problem in September 2002 shortly after I bought the car used, from the on-base aafes exchange car dealership at the us army base in mainz-kastel, germany. Apparently, what the car dealer had done before I bought the car was to push the front windshield defroster vents down into the molded dashboard panel, so that molded dashboard panel did not look warped. After a couple weeks, I notice that front windshield defroster vents were separating from the molded dashboard panel, so I push the front windshield defroster vents down into the molded dashboard panel, and it stayed down for a week and then the vent would pop-up. I have since given up pushing, the front windshield defroster vents down into the molded dashboard panel. In may 2005, I took the vehicle in to the Ford dealership in mainz, germany that handles us spec Ford's, to see what could be done to repair the problem. The dealership told me that the dashboard was defective and that there was as customer notification program for this, but it has since expired. On may 19, 2005, I contact the Ford by phone (1-800-392-3673) and was informed that under the customer notification # 01b78, Ford repaired instrument panel warp age. This notification was issued on June 10, 2002 and expired on August 31, 2002 for the 2000 Ford Contour car that I owned. Since the notification had since expired, I was not eligible to have this problem repaired and paid for by Ford. By Ford issuing customer notification # 01b78, they have acknowledged, that this problem is a known defect and should repair it at no cost to the vehicle owner, regardless of when the customer notification period expired.

Consumer states that the wires in the air conditioner has melted which is causing the defroster to stop working. Ts.

Consumer states her dashborad is warped and when she turns on her defrogger the air does not hit the windshield, causing the windshield to take longer to become clear. Mr.

After taking vehicle to the dealership twice for recall 01v230000 and 01v255000 repairs none of the two recalls were done properly. Name of the dealer is brad martin Ford in youngstown OH 330-793-2444.

See all problems of the 1998 Ford Contour 🔎.

Dashboard is coming up, and defroster does not work properly. Also, there are bubbles on dashboard.

Stalls out if you take your foot off the gas, surges between 1-4 rmps, engine light is on, all started after I had the heater blower switch replaced.

See all problems of the 1996 Ford Contour 🔎.

This automobile is giving off a horrific burning smell anytime that the heater is turned on. No one at the Ford motor company wants to take responsibility for any of the defects with their products. I would just like to say that, that is beyond poor customer service on the part of Ford. I would also like to let it be known that this is not the only major. Manufacture defect with this vehicle that I have found. The entire front-end suspension of this vehicle needs to be recalled. I less that 1 week ago replaced front wheel bearings because of a loud rubbing, roaring noise and they are starting to make the same unbearable noise again. You, at Ford, advised me that there were no other complaints for this type of problem. Well I would like to make you all aware that there are. If you would take the time to look through your complaints under anything having to deal with the tires, front-end suspension, wheels, wheel bearings or bearings themselves I am certain that you will find additional complaints. When your poor unfortunate and miseducated customers call with their comments concerns and issues, they are asked what is their concern. They, not knowing what the problems are state what it is they hear while driving the death trap they have been sold or have been told by your dealers. Leaving every thing too broad and wide open to be scattered and incorrectly categorized. Which works out to your benefit. As I understand it, anytime Ford has a recall or admits that they have a problem with a vehicle they are fined and has to pay several penalties. Well I should think that Ford would want to pay the paucity of fees and penalties now and make the repairs needed rather than have another firestone tire incident on the hands and conscience. But who knows maybe you all dont care.

See all problems of the 1997 Ford Contour 🔎.

Consumer received notification that vehicle was affected by recall 01v230000. Dealership examined vehicle, but performed no repairs in accordance with description of corrective action. Engine light illuminated due to faulty O2 sensor.

After receiving recall 01v23000 notification for heater blower resistor, an attempt was made to have recall repairs done by local dealer, dealership informed consumer that unless problem described in recall was occurring, vehicle would not be serviced, consumer contacted NHTSA who suggested another dealer and was given an immediate scheduled appointment, vehicle has had recall repairs.

Vehicle was serviced for recall 00v367000/ manufacturer's recall 00s44 concerning engine cooling fan. After vehicle was picked up, same day, consumer found air conditioner and heater were not working. Only defroster worked. Dealer opened hood and stated nothing was done to affect air conditioning unit/heater. Advised consumer to call back next week to speak to service manager.

While driving in fog and turning on defroster it won't work on low, but will work on high. This could cause a bad accident because defroster has a delayed reaction, and while driving windows are still fogged up. Consumer has yet to contact the dealer. Please provide any further information.

Defroster will not work, will block the view and could cause an accident. Also the check engine light was on, coolant leaking, engine overheating, transmission was inoperative, and the water pump was leaking.

The heater blower would only work on high prior to today, but now it doesn't work at all.

While driving in a snow storm I smelled something that smelled like an electrical fire, the blower motor stop running. I played with the switch and only high worked. I turned the fan off. This forced me to drive with the choice of a potential fire or seeing out of the winshield. The next day I purchased a new blower motor relay from a Ford dealer. When I went to replace it I noticed that the connector to the resistor was melted to the resistor, there were bare wires on the harness side of the connector. I went to the Ford dealer and purchased a new connector. What a surprise to find that they had a connector in stock. This made me think that this must be a common problem. What will keep this from happening again and starting a real fire .

Vehicle has a bad smell coming from heater when turning it on. Dealership is aware of problem.

When filling gas tank with fuel fuel would spit back out. Door chime fails to work when key is in ignition. Heating system would go off, and then on whenever heat is on.

In October 1999 I had my heater fan fixed because of a recall. Within 12 months it broke again and the company fixed again on 8/30/00. In December it broke again which is less than 6 months. I called brunswick Ford and they said I would have to pay to have it fixed because Ford motor wouldn't cover only once to fix the item. I called Ford motor and complained because it keeps breaking and they said that it was fixed and didn't care that it had broken 2 times and less time between each. They said that the vehicle was older and so many miles that that probably was why it kept breaking. I was very frustrated and felt there was no where to turn. Once the recall is fixed is there a time limit or mileage limit that should pertain?.

Whenever starting vehicle or even driving electrical system would start acting up. Windshield wipers would go on by themselves, have not been turned on. Lights, interior & exterior, would go out. Ignition will not start vehicle sometimes. Also, would hear a clicking noise. Did not have a battery problems. Heater blower failed to work. No recalls on vehicle for electrical problems.

When consumer steered to the left vehicle pulled more than intended. Dealer inspected the vehicle & found nothing wrong. The steering problem is caused by bad front end alignment. The transmission failed. Broken motor mount was found. The heater failed too.

I only have 2 speeds on my heater blower,lo and 2. I also have had smoke comming from under the dash or from a heater vent when the heater has been on. When I go over a bump regardless of how small there is a thump sound that comes from the trunk area. The suspension system seems to hit really hard with any kind of bump in the road. I also had to have the headlight switch assy fixed according the recall because of taillight and panel failure.