The instrument panel cover warped causing the defroster vent to pop out. The dealer consulted and stated that the entire dash needed to be replaced and cost is 750.0. updated 01/30/06.

- Frederick, MD, USA

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.

- Burlington, VT, USA

Low coolant light has came on, coolant ok seceral months ago. Now the check engine light has came on. How can I get the fuse box checked without costing alot. Only have 64645 miles on car. Can't believe there is problems already.

- Texarkana, TX, USA

My 1999 Ford Contour clear paint is bubble up. I have a red car. I want to know if it's been in a wreack could that be the reason or it's just bad paint. I bought my car in September 2000.

- Covington, GA, USA

Problems with vehicle's dashboard.

- Winston, OR, USA

The consumer noticed that the dashboard was warped. This allowed big pieces of plastic to fly through. Some of the plastic pieces were sharp and came in contact with the occupants. The dashboard warping is due to the sunrays and heater blower.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

I own a 1999 Ford Contour, in which the dash cover (vinyl and foam) are separating from the metal shell underneath. It is approaching the passenger's side airbag (SRS), and my concern is it my either cause an unexpected deployment of the airbag resulting in an accident, or it may prevent the airbag from deploying in the event of an accident. I have contacted Ford and their answer was they would submit it to the engineers to determine if a recall was in order. Unless there are enough people reporting this problem, I feel they will take no corrective action. I have personally observed to other '99 Contour with the same problem. Unfortunately, I was unable to contact the owners and ask them to make complaints as well.

- Alamogordo, NM, USA

Dash board is warping near the windshield. I was told the warranty to fix that part was expired. The cost to fix it would be $300. This problem has been going on for a couple of years and I fixed it myself. Ford never sent me a recall notice and now they are claiming they did.

- Nashua, NH, USA

I am an original owner of a 1999 Ford Contour SE sport. About 2 years ago there was a maintenance recall for the Contour's dash coming up due to bad glue. I took my vehicle to the nearest Ford dealership and found that my dash was so bad it had to be replaced. My car was still under warranty at this time also. Now my dash is comming up just like it did before, evidently the dash they replaced it with still had the defective glue in it. I contacted Ford explaining this to them and finding out that the maintenance order had ended last year. I told them about it being replaced and doing the same thing it done before while also explaining my concern about the passenger side airbag releasing at any given time. This could very well hurt someone like myself who has had open heart surgery and then had to have my chest rewired due to my sternum not fusing back together correctly not to mention what this could do to one of my children. They refuse to repair my dash even though I did what the letter told me and couldn't have avoided this problem from happening again. I didn't make the dash nor did I make the glue, but I upheld my responsabilities. This is a safety concern and should be repaired by Ford at there expense not mine.

- Hopewell, VA, USA

I just bought a Ford Contour and the dashboard is coming up and it could deploy the airbag, so what if anything is someone going to do about this, as you can see I am not the only one with this problem, I had no idea that there was a program for the dashboard. If it is a recurring problem then it should be a recall on it.

- York, PA, USA

Dashboard is curling up from the windshield. Since this has started the vent for the defogging systems has popped completely out, the warning bell for the lights left on and key in ignition have stopped working and the radio cuts in and out. I took it to my auto repair shop who contacted my extended warranty company (who supposedly cover me bumper to bumper according to the dealer I bought the car from) who state if it is not safety related they don't cover it. I then went to a local dealership with the problem as the car is a 1999 with barely 40,000 miles and expressed my concern about the things that have stopped working as well as the fact that as the dash rolls back it will deploy the passenger side air bag. The dealer stated it was not their problem even though they stated that the earlier models had the same problem which apparently was never fixed and gave me Ford customer service. I then contacted Ford who after 5 days informed me that they felt it was not their problem, that I should take it to my local dealer and pay approximately $1800 to $2000 for a new dash to be installed but that I should save my paperwork after the repairs are done in case of any further trouble. Since the dash is in perfect condition aside from the curling, no cracks, discoloration or drying out I don't feel I should pay to have this problem resolved. If you can assist please let me know.

- Oak View, CA, USA

When I go to start the car sometimes it just makes a whining noise and wont start, that happens two or three times a month, also the dash board is comming up.

- Merrimack, NH, USA

Consumer called complaining about having problems with the dashboard which is inoperable obstructing the driver's view dealer has inspected the vehicle but is not longer under guarantee.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

Consumer stated the vehicle dashboard is coming unglued. The dealership indicated that there was a consumer service campaign for the problem, however it ended in September 2002.

- Santa Maria, CA, USA

Dashboard is coming unglued and buckling, obstructing consumer's view out of front windshield while driving.

- Lake Elsinore, CA, USA

Vehicle instrumental panel is whopping. Consumer had vehicle serviced, dealership informed them at that their was a recall for this part, but the recall has expired. Consumer was never notified of recall.

- Centerville, IA, USA

The instrument panel is delaminating. There is a recall but per manufacturer this vehicle is not affected. Nlm

- Plymouth, MA, USA

I took car back the next morning after purchase, dealer claims there is nothing he can do, the engine light has been on since day one and I have taken it back twice, they replaced the differential sensor, it went off for about 10 mins and has been on ever since. Now everything else seems to be going wrong with this car.

- Orlando, FL, USA

One piece vent on dashboard has popped out. Dashboard has rolled itself upward, locking approximately 2 1/2 inches of front windshield. Vehicle has a tehnical service bulletin listed. Dealer was contacted.

- Santa Maria, CA, USA

The dashboard is coming off. As it is coming off it is curling up and I am afraid it is going to get in the way of my vision as I am driving. It is a '1999 and I feel like it should not be coming apart like that.

- Charleston, SC, USA