This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Dashboard curls up and impairs vision out of the front of the car. Can't use defroster up front or else the dash curls up even more. This is dangerous for Contour owners and should be fixed immediately.
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.
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.
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.
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.
- Franklin, WV, USA
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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.
I along with many other people have had the same issue with my dash board peeling back. I took it in for the recall instead of repairing it they just reglued it. A year later it came apart again and they would not fix it agin. I called Ford they said the recall had expired but since I did have it fixed once I would have to take it up with the dealership. They said the same thing and that I would have to pay out of my pocket to fix it. I don't have that type of money and feel as if there should be an additional recall on this issue.
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 owns a 1999 Ford Contour SE. The dashboard on the passenger side has curled to the point to where the air bag is beginning to be exposed. Consumer's concern is that the air bag will deploy without an accident or will not deploy in an accident. Ford dealership stated that the dashboard assembly repair parts would cost $771, labor $561 plus tax. Updated 06/05/06 updated 06/05/2006 -
Consumer received a recall letter regarding the instrument panel for the 1999 Ford Contour. The consumer's vehicle started having problems with the instrument panel after the recall had expired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined that the entire dashboard had warped. The consumer presented the recall notice but was told that her vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was contacted and agree to pay 80% of the repair cost but the consumer declined service. The consumer felt that Ford should pay 100% of the replacement cost (customer satisfaction program 01B78).
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.
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.
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.
This complaint was sent via E-mail."I would like to report a problem with my car. For the second time since I have owned this automobile my dashboard has buckled at the windshield and vent popped out and wouldn't snap back into it's original location. The first time this happened, my car was still under warranty and the entire dashboard was replaced. Shortly after the replacement, I received a notice of a recall for the Contour for this exact problem. The dashboard is buckling again."
Dashboard separated from the front windshield. This caused water to leak down into the vehicle. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Mason, OH, USA