Problems with 2000 Ford Contour STRUCTURE

I had just got on interstate when my car started cutting out. i immediately put my flashers on & tried to get in the left lane so i could get on shoulder of interstate but cars would not allow me to get over. my car died in middle of interstate. i called asap (a service in alabama for help on the interstate) & told them where i was & i needed them to bring me some gas. then a car came flying up behind me but was able to stop & did not hit me. then the car behind him had stopped but a truck behind her was not able to stop. he hit her, she hit the man behind me and he hit me. paramedics were called for a 4 year old in the womans car who said his head hurt. i could have been killed if the car behind me had hit me and turned my car sideways & was hit on the side by another car, because everyone was driving way too fast and did not acknowledge my flashers at all. they would fly past me blowing their horns. did they think i was stopped on purpose? believe me if i could have made the car go i would have. this car does this sometimes when on a 1/4 tank of gas, and since this accident it has gotten worse. now it does it on 3/4 tank. i do not get on interstate anymore. no one seems to be able to find out why these cars do this. *tr

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! *tr

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. *tr

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. *tr

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. *jb

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. *nm

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). *nm

Dt*: 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 - *nm

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. *nm

I have a 2000 ford contour and the dashboard is warped. it is curling up at the defrost vent area. *jb

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. *nm

Dt: 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. *ak *tt

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

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.*mr *jb

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. *nm

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. *jb

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. *jb

The dashboard is warped and is peeling away from the base causing limited visibility out of the front window as well as limiting the effectiveness of the front window defroster. have not contacted a local ford dealer as of yet and i am reluctant to given the growing number of dissatisfied consumers with the same problem. any assistance would be greatly appreciated. incident date is unknown, i used 1/1/05 because the defect began in early part of 2005. car was purchased used in june 2004 and there was no defect at that time. *nm

The consumer stated the dashboard is beginning to buckle up. as a result, the defroster is blocked and visibility is impaired. *jb

We own a 2000 ford contour se. the top of the dashboard near the windshield separated and curled up, causing poor visibility. i have check for a recall or reported other problems an found only a handful of compliants. we believe this to be a manufacturer's defect. visually the glue used to secure the dashboard failed. what is our next step to fix this problem? *ak

The dash panel pad curled up causing poor visibility. *nm *tc

While driving dashboard unexpectedly become unattached from the console. this caused poor visibility to the driver. the dashboard unraveled on its own. consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer, and mechanic informed consumer that this vehicle was not on recall, and the warranty was valid. *ak

The vinyl covering on the dashboard is peeling away from the underlying structure. it has, over a period of about 5 months, peeled back far enough that it obstructs the view out of the windshield. the windshield defrost vent trim no longer fits into place. the defroster no longer works properly, as the vinyl now obstructs the air flow. the vinyl is also in such a position as to potentially impede the functon of the passenger-side airbag. ford has issued a couple of 'campaigns', as they call it, but both have expired. my dash was not warped during the period of the campaign, and so was not replaced at that time. since the extended warranty does not cover the dash, ford will not cover the full cost of the replacement (~$1200). the dash on a 3.5 year car should not warp so badly it looks like a pringles chip. this is a design flaw with potential safety concerns, and should be subject to a recall.*ak

While driving,the dashboard panel failed to stay in place. the consumer noticed while driving at any speed, the instrument panel would move from side to side on its own. the consumer was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. the mechanic informed the consumer that the components under the dashboard needed replacing. *jb ford program 01b78-52, instrument panel warpage repair, affected vehicles: all 1999-2000 model year contour's and mystique's. *nm

Vehicle safety defect with 2000 ford contour. *mr the defect involved the separation of the top of the dashboard and upward curl of the separated piece. one of the results of the defect was a deflection of all air output from the driver-side windshield defroster vent away from the glass windshield in front of the driver. the defroster/defogger utility was inoperative on the drivers side. *sc *jb the consumer was advised that ford was unwilling to assume responsibility for safety defects in the consumers vehicle. the consumer filed a civil suit against ford motor on august 23 after trying to attempt dialogue with them on vehicle safety defects of the consumers vehicle. *tc *jb

The dashboard separated the windshield. this is a distraction to the consumers view. please provide more information. *jb

Ford contour svt dash warpage. *nm

While driving, the dashboard unexpectedly became separated from the frame of the vehicle. the consumer was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. the mechanic informed the consumer that the vehicle was not on recall. *ak *sc *jb

Ford had customer satisfaction (not recall) on dashboard warping. this is safety issue, the dash rolls up so much it obscures cars or objects that are visible normally at the low angle of the wind screen. such as going uphill or incline. or even small children in front. the work to fasten the dash down to reduce obstruction only worked temporally. *ak

i have a 2000 ford contour and the top of the dashboard is very warped. it is curling up on both sides of the defrost vent area. it would be obscuring the field of vision of the driver if i hadn't wedged something next to the windshield to hold it down. *nm

Dashboard cracked open and was blocking the vents in the vehicle. consumer contacted the manufacturer, who stated there was a customer campaign at one time, however, the time expired. consumer was not experiencing a problem with the dashboard at the time.*ak the consumer stated that her defrosters do not work properly due to the problem. the entire vent is out. the consumer stated that she can not see out of the windsheild properly. *tc

Consumer stated that the dashboard is peeling and the heat/air does not circulate properly. it is beginning to cover the vents, and the windshield cannot be cleared. vehicle was taken to the dealer, who stated they have seen vehicles worst than his. the manufacturer indicated that this was a cosmetic problem.*ak

2000 ford contour-service bulletin 01b78 was issued for warped dashboard. the warping occurs near the windshield and vents for the defroster. the warped dashboard obscures the driver's view. in addition, the defroster does not work properly. ford has discontinued repairs.*ak

The dashboard is separating after being repaired on a recall. windshield is very hard to defrost because of this condition. *ak

Dt: the contact stated the plastic dashboard delaminated from the foam. the dashboard laminate was pushing upward, thus hindering the contact's vision through the front window. he contacted the manufacturer, and they said it was under review, and that it was cosmetic. also, he is also experienced fuel pump and water pump problems. under hard acceleration the fuel pump shut off. the dealership stated the contact's vehicle needed a new fuel pump. the bearings on the water pump failed and the vehicle overheated. *ak.

Consumer noticed that the dashboard was curling and lifting up from the frame. vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the dashboard needed to be replaced. *ak

The dashboard has separated and causing visibility problems as well as problems with the venting system. the defroster air flow is diverted and essentially useless. i am concerned that the air bags could not deploy if needed. i also did not get the recall, found out about it too late. local dealer said call ford. customer service suggested i get it repaired since it is a safety issue but that they would provide no help at this time. she said reports like these are what get the engineers to consider recalls---when?

The dashboard was peeling and it was rolling into the windshield covering up the vehicle identification number. a service bulletin was discovered and the manufacture was notified and they denied the claim at the time of the bulletin. *jb

Ltr from doug holt (ga) re defective dashboard in his 2000 ford contour, dashboard has curled upwards 2 inches in front of the windshield obstructing wife's view when driving car, reply attn shannon bowen/toccoa dist. ofc. dot/i/#2004-511. *ph this occurred during the summer heat. ford was aware of the problem and had a repair program which ended the month the consumer purchased the vehicle. the problem was classified as a non-recall issue and would possibly deny the consumer for repairs. *sc *jb

Dashboard separated from structure and rose upwards about two inches in front of the windshield. as a result, defroster was not functioning properly and the windows were not being cleared.*ak *mr *nm

When vehicle was parked consumer noticed that dashboard was warped, and separated from panel. will be taking vehicle to dealership to have mechanic check the interior.*ak

Vents inside of the dashboard compartment popped out while driving on the highway. the panel fell out onto the floor. dealer was aware of the problem.*ak

The dash is lifting off where windshield and dash meet, across the length of the windshield. consumer was told by dealer there was a customer satisfaction program but it had expired in august of 2002.*ak

2002 ford contour, dashboard started peeling up. it gets worse every month. *jb

The dashboard separated from the structure and lifted upwards. driver was unable to see clearly through the windshield. obstruction caused poor visibility . cause of the separation was undetermined. *ak heat may have caused the separation. *scc *jb

Entire dashboard is warping out of shape. although vehicle is kept in an air conditioned garage it still seems that the dashboard is assaulted by the heat of the sun. warping is causing the vents of dashboard to become misaligned.*ak

My ford contour (2000) dash is bending up where the defroster vent is. it has warped at least an inch above normal height. the ford company refuses to stand behind its vechicles and fix the dash. i have received horrible customer service from them and decided to never buy another ford.*ak

Consumer noticed dashboard falling down. dealer notified. *ak

The dash board of the vehicle is curling up and away from the frame structure supporting it. the dealer informed the consumer that there is nothing that can be done. the manufacturer has been informed of the problem. *ph

I own a 2000 ford contour that was bought in 2001. the dash panel around the defroster grill has peeled back. i recently found out there was a recall for this problem but i never received a notice. ford wants me to pay $1600 to replace the dash. i feel that since i was never notified about this i shouldn't have to pay to have my dash replaced. *nm