Structure Problems of Ford Contour - part 1

2000 Ford Contour svt, 71k miles the dashboard has been curling, from where the windshield meets the dashboard, for several years now. The process has been very slow, but has gotten to the point where it now severely interferes with defrost vent flow and vision. The defrost vent popped out a year ago and now does not fit. The curling of the dashboard does not provide for decent defrost and venting, which in addition to the 6 inches of dashboard that has curled up, interferes with adequate sight, especially for shorter drivers. I've had several others (strangers) stop me out-of-the-blue and inquire about my problem that they also have. Based on the many complaints that have been filed for this defect, a recall should be initiated by Ford!.

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Cars dashboard got so hot that it curled up causing the front defrosters not to work and also partially obstructing my vision while driving that car.

In my wifes car the dashboard near the windshield is starting to come up its right near the vent in the car it makes drive the car more difficult due to the dash is now block part of the windshield I was told this has happened to some one before and I would like to have this looked into.

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.

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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.

I have a 2000 Ford Contour that I purchased in 2000 while I lived in nh. In early 2001, I moved out of nh and to MA. Last year, I started to pay attention to a very noticeable warping in my dashboard. The dashboard has started to pull away from the windshield. The black venting piece is no longer connected and could become lose and serve as a projectile in an accident. My front windshield no long defrosts properly which can cause problems with seeing while driving. I just found out that there was a recall in 2001, and I can only assume that the notice was somehow sent to my old address.

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. ".

Sudden warpage of the instrument panel cover attaching to the defroster vent underneath the windshield (originally manufacturer's defect, NHTSA 624125), causing blocking of view and heat ventilation. Ford dealership refused to repair according to the procedures stated on owner notification program 01b78-s2, instead wanted the owner to replace entire panel cover, which would cost 8-10 times more than the 01b78-s2 protocol.

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 contact stated the dashboard raised up creating an environment for air bags deploying without incident. When the manufacturer was alerted who referred the contact to NHTSA. Updated 10/2/2006 -.

Dashboard coming away from firewall which in turn disrupts the defrost duct also could make the airbags deploy, santa maria Ford, Ford corporate headquarters and my extended warranty inform me that it is not covered they state there is a fix which costs about 200 to 300 dollars (install yourself) bad idea could affect air bags, to fix properly Ford states the dash needs to be replaced 1300. 00 dollars. This should be a defect for a recall.

I have a 2000 Ford Contour and the dashboard is warped. It is curling up at the defrost vent area.

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.

My 2000 Ford Contour is plagued with the "dashboard curl" problem which, after much research on the internet, I have found to be a very common problem among 1998-2000 model year Ford Contours. Basically, at the base of the windshield (around the defroster vent), the dashboard has come loose and is curling up. Beside the fact that this is annoying as I like to keep my vehicle in good shape, it could also pose a major safety problem of blocking the view of the road while driving. I am truly surprised this problem has not yet been addressed by a manufacturer recall, as this is a major safety concern.

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 dashboard material curled up. It pushed the vents up and they were coming loose. It was blocking the visibility of the windshield. It was on the driver's and passengers side.

My dashboard separated from the windshield and causes a visibility problem and the vent came detached from the dash.

The dash in my 2000 Ford Contour has warped near the windshield. It is now ~4 inches higher than it should be, and is blocking the heater vent in the windshield. This is a safety hazard as the window can no longer be defrosted because the warpping has blocked the heat.

Ltr fm douglas holt (GA) 2nd attempt w/additional information to get NHTSA to require Ford to replace his defective warped dashboard that now causes the window defroster to be rendered ineffective.

My 2000 Ford Contour dash cap is lifting from heat its getting worse I find it as a distraction I have been waiting for a recall I have been doing some research and found a lot of forums stating that the dashes are being warped the years are 96 and up.

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.

Dash is separated from the car and is curling up. The defrost vent has popped out and visibility is now poor. Called Ford and was told that an advisory was put out with I never received. That they were aware of the defect but would not fix it.