The brake lines under the car have rusted to the point of breaking apart. The vehicle has less than 100K miles and was not subject to any extreme conditions. The brake fluid leaks out of the undercarriage almost as quickly as it is poured in and has left the car undriveable without expensive repairs.

- Hoffman Estates, IL, USA

I was never notified of any recalls. I have had to pay out of pocket expenses lost control of vehicle replaced starter and brakes several times feels like suspension is falling apart and never notified I have small and older children shameful. These events starting taking place when I purchased the vehicle in 1999 arm control 3 times replaced I was lied to by Ford and said I must of hit a bump bump my bump 3 times almost dead.

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

Letter on behalf of constituent re concerns about the defective warping dash on various Ford products such as his 1999 Ford Contour. The consumer stated Ford issued a recall in 2001 to replace the dash because of excessive warping. Apparently, Ford never fixed the manufacturing flaw because the replacement dash started to warp soon afterwards. The consumer stated it is a safety issue because the dash warped upwards, impacting the visibility of the driver. The warping also impacted the operation of the defroster, so the front window was not being defrosted which caused visibility issues.

- Poway, CA, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Contour. The contact received a letter from the manufacturer stating that the dashboard needed to be replaced. After the replacement was made, the dashboard developed a gap next to the passenger side vent, which over time, caused the vent to sink behind the dashboard. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer (ken gordon Ford) and had it repaired. While driving approximately 55 mph under normal conditions, the vehicle overheated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the thermostat was repaired. A few days later the vehicle overheated again. The contact discovered that the timing belt and water pump needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 100,000.

- Vista, CA, 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 Ford Contour, but this issue is also prevalent on the Mercury Mystique 1999 & 2000, and some 1998 models with the newer style dash. 2. the trim popped loose from the dash while commuting on I-45 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.

- Huntsville, TX, USA

Instrument panel padding pulling loose and curling at windshield. Also defroster grille popped off. Interferes with defrost air flow. Padding glued and stapled and old defroster grill attached with screws. Windshield was replaced to have working room. Repair was made by an auto trim shop with a cost of $400

- Northville, MI, USA

There is no incidents to report. However the dash on this vehicle is warped. I have seen this same problem on Ford Contour and Mercury msytique's that was manufactured in 1999. The warpage reducing driver visibility and prevents the defogger from operating properly.

- Pikesville, MD, USA

Dash warpage on 1999 Ford Contour: Dash has warped at least 3 inches. Defroster vent can no longer fit into dash causing defrosting issues for driver. Warpage is very near front passenger dash airbag. Ford and the dealer respond that there was not a recall for dash warpage. I have found a notation for a recall 01B78 dash warpage on a service invoice from Sept. 2001. Dealer ran checked recall and found no warpage at this time.

- West Reading, PA, USA

1-gradual warping of the dash starting from the edge closest to the windshield 2-it is starting to severely inhibit the effectiveness of the defroster and will inhibit the line of sight out the windshield if it continues to warp 3-this has not yet been corrected.

- Amarillo, TX, USA

The dashboard vinyl has separated from the dash and curled up which affects visibility as well as reducing the effectiveness of the defroster.

- Rochester, NY, USA

Dash board warping on 1999 Ford Contour. Repair was attempted, but only a temporary solution. Dash has continued to warp and has cracked in one place as well.

- Bristol, VT, USA

The dash board started warping a few years after the car was purchased. A dashboard temporary fix to stop the warping has caused the rest of the dash to pull away from the speedometer and tachometer.

- Rochelle, IL, USA

August 2001 Ford notified us of a defect in the cover of the instrument panel. That the panel may warp and come undone first around the defroster grill opening. Ford identified program #01B78 to fix this problem. We brought vehicle in for service as instructed by letter and service was denied as the gap in the warpage was only 1.75 and needed to be 2 in order to be replaced. Now, in 2005 the dashboard panel has completely warped up and off. It obstructs driver's field of vision through windshield and prevents the defroster from working properly. This is a definite safety issue. Ford refuses to cover known defect now.

- Roseville, MN, USA

1999 Ford Contour dashboard buckled and consumer is concerned that the airbag may not deploy properly, if at all.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

The dashboard of my 1999 Ford Contour is warped beyond repair. The dashboard is peeling back from the windshield. This manufacturing defect has caused my defrost to work improperly, making visibility poor whenever the defrost would be needed. Ford has refused to help fix it although they have recognized that it is a problem with a "customer satisfaction program" that expired around the time that I purchased my vehicle. This is a huge safety issue for all Contour owners as well as all on the road.

- Clermont, FL, USA

The consumer owns a 1999 Ford Contour. The consumer stated the dashboard was warped, making it difficult to use the defroster. The consumer stated that this would make it difficult to drive during the winter because the defroster can not properly work. The consumer has not contacted the service dealer or the manufacturer. The vehicle was involved in a previous accident, but the consumer states the dashboard was doing this prior to the accident.

- Maryville, IN, USA

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.

- Frazeysburg, OH, USA

There was a recall on the 1999 Ford Contour LX, for the dashboard peels back. I never recieved a notice we had moved from Pennsylvania to Georgia. I contacted Ford and they said they could not honor their recall notice. I would have to come up with $700 -850.00 dollars to get it fixed. I would also have to incur payments for a rental, while my car is being worked on. Please help.

- Rincon, GA, USA

My 1999 Ford Contour has less than 50,000 miles on it. The dashboard is coming unglued and has warped significantly. I am concerned that my safety is jeopardized. In addition, the headlights are literally falling out, due to what I perceive to be structural failure. There is no sign of visible rust or decay. Again, my safety is at risk, as my visibility is minimized by the inaccuracy of the aiming of the headlights.

- East Palestine, OH, USA

I recently became aware of a recall that occurred in 2001 on 1995-1999 Ford Contour, Mercury Mystique, and Cougar. The dashboard in my 1999 Ford Contour is tearing and a friend of mine told me there was a recall on it. So I decided to check the recall information on NHTSA's website. Instead I found other disturbing information. According to a report listed, the blower switch / resistor overheats and starts or could start a fire. It also states that "failure of the blower switch causes loss of one or more blower speeds". however, I was never notified about neither recall. In July 2003, I had to have my 1999 Ford Contour (bought brand new) repaired because my A/C stopped working. The repairs involved the wiring in the fuse panel (repaired) and the blower / resistor was replaced. The cost: $60 (technician hooked car to a machine to diagnose check engine light staying on, parts & labor) and $187.40 (A/C problem, part $7.40 and labor $180). I was never informed by the service department (local Ford dealership) that there had even been a recall. Will I be reimbursed for this mishap?

- Millbrook, AL, USA