I was driving along when I could smell my car getting hot, so I pulled over and sure enough it was overheating, but did not show inside on the dashboard, so I had it checked and the plastic housing around the thermostat was cracked in 3 places, so I say fix it, they said it would be $450, ok no problem, then they called back and said that the housing was welded to the manifold and that I would have to replace all for $1200 and that the housing wasn't made of plastic anymore because of this problem. I think this should be a recall and fixed for free.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Mercury Mystique. The entire length of the instrument control panels surface began developed cracks and warps. A plastic piece from the panel, that was 5 inches in height blocks the windshield. The vehicle has not been repaired for the malfunction. The contact commented the failure was related to the Ford Contour dashboard defect. The failure mileage was 80,000. The current mileage was 112,000.

- Conshohocken, PA, USA

1999 Mercury Mystique dashboard is curling up. Consumer states that Ford's recall to repair this problem has expired and there's nothing they can do.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

My 1999 Mercury Mystique dash board has completely warped. It has rendered the defroster useless. I was not informed of any recall for the defect. I now understand that the Lincoln/Mercury company did acknowledge a defect in the dashboards. What remedy can I expect ?

- Belle Harbor, NY, USA

- the contact stated that the 1999 Ford Mystique's dashboard was falling from the frame of the vehicle. She was afraid that the air bags may deploy while driving the vehicle, or the dashboard will fall into her lap while driving. She has contacted the dealership, and they informed her that were not responsible for repairing the dashboard under warranty because the vehicle was out of warranty. The contact feared driving the vehicle, and she thought that Ford would honor the warranty. She did speak with someone at a Chrysler dealership, and they quoted her a price of $2000, the contact stated that the vehicle currently had 29,000 miles.

- Temple, TX, USA

I believe it's a shame that manufacturers can sell cars with glued dashboards that require the removal of the windshield to repair the dashboard. This is a 1999 Mercury Mystique, the dashboard material came loose and squeezed the defrost diverter plastic up and off the dashboard, therefore making it difficult to use the defroster.

- Lavale, MD, USA

1. dash warp causes visibility problems, defroster malfunction, loose trim. I drove over a seam in the roadway at an overpass (small bump) & the vent trim popped loose. This is simply an aging issue as there was no unusual event. My car is a 1999 Mercury Mystique, but this issue is also prevalent on the Ford 1999 & 2000 Contour, and some 1998 models with the newer style dash. 2. the trim popped loose from the dash while commuting on I-95 to work. The vent trim came to rest in front of the air bag & on my arms as I drove, but fortunately did not cause an accident. 3. 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.

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

Dash board warp / curl / delamination causes obstructed visibility. 1999 model year Contour omitted dash panel component for securing dash cover at windshield. Windshield fogs badly in rainy or humid conditions and warped dash cover dislodges vent preventing effective defrost / de-fogging efforts.

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

The whole entire top dash board has curled and peeled up obstructing defroster from left side to right side and continually gets worse I have heard that this has happened to others and that there might have been a recall on it - it is starting to work its way down toward the steering wheel.

- Lehighton, PA, USA

Consumer noticed the dashboard warpped. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Newfoundland, 00, USA

Dashboard is really warped. Driver's side of dashboard has curled 3-4 inches upwards. Rest of dashboard also curling upwards but not as bad. Now visibility is decreased and the windshield defogger takes longer to defrost the windshield. Fomoco was notified of the problem and didn't do anything to correct it. Even a dealership tried to help, but was denied.

- San Jose, CA, USA

Consumer noticed that the dashboard was loose and moving upward. This caused poor visibility to the driver. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the dashboard needed to be replaced. Dash board came loose vent sticking up covering drivers windshield/view. The dash board is preventing the defroster from working. Vehicle was recalled for this issue but the consumer was not notified. Now they only will fix the problem at the consumers expense. Recall did not deal witht he subject of the incident.

- Panama City, FL, USA

The dashboard was bulging where the vent were located. A recall was issued, however consumer received the recall notice too late and dealer refused to perform repairs. Consumer was unable to see the hood of the vehicle due to the dashboard.

- Bryson City, NC, USA

The dashboard next to the windshield is curled up so as to obstruct my vision and cause defroster vents to not work properly. The black plastic "vent" is laying there loose and rattling against the inside of my windshield. I am concerned as to whether this will effect my air bag function if I were in an accident. I was told by my dealer that there was a recall, but it had expired, and they couldn't help me unless I wanted to pay about 350-400 dollars for a "kit" to possibly remedy the situation. The problem did not manifest itself until after the recall was over. I feel that Ford is well aware of this problem and should take an active role in repairing this damage to my dashboard. The is a safety issue as well as an unsightly nuisance. I hope this helps someone get some relief from Ford concerning this issue.

- Hot Springs, AR, USA

While driving at any speed driver's visibility was blocked because the dashboard was pulled from the panel. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection.

- Pearl, MS, USA

Consumer noticed that instrument panel was separating from the front windshield. Dealership will be notified of the problem.

- Gulfport, MS, USA

I have a 1999 Mercury Mystique. I replaced my dashboard due to warpage under my one year warranty. I received a recall for the dashboard after the original had been replaced. This past summer my dashboard started to warp again. I contacted hunt Ford in la plata md, but was told that there was nothing they could do about it since the warranty had expired. I am currently experiencing an increase in the warping. The portion of the dash that holds the vent is curling outward, and the dash is rising up. I very concerned about how far up the windshield that the dash will rise. I do not feel that a company who issues a recall has the right to end that recall when the problem obviously does not end. Thank you for your time and assistance with this complaint.

- Waldorf , MD, USA

Heater did not work properly. Vehicle was taken to dealer, and the blower switch was replaced. Also, consumer heard a loud squealing sound when depressing the brakes. Rotors were replaced on both sides of the vehicle. The dashboard began to rise up from the dashboard mount. Dealer had not yet resolved the dashboard problem. Manufacturer would be informed of the myriad of problems consumer was having.

- Richmond, CA, USA

Entire dashboard is lifting, and has started covering the vents for the defroster.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

Dashboard curled up, blocking driver's visibility.

- La Grande, OR, USA