The dashboard adhesive is defective on my 2000 ford contour svt. The dash around the defroster vent and up to the windshield has warped so badly that the defroster vent actually popped out of the dash and hit the windshield while driving down the road. The dash eventually curled up high enough to touch the dash, making the defroster ineffective to clear fogging on the windshield. The passenger airbag is also separating from the dashboard due to the warping. Ford had originally had a service bulletin for this problem, but only left it open for a short period of time. The problem is a design flaw, so I am indicating the vehicle's build date as the incident date, even though the dash continues to get worse.
2000 Ford Contour body complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 79, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Sudden warpage of the instrument panel cover attaching to the defroster vent underneath the windshield (originally manufacturer's defect, the federal safety agency 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.
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).
Foam cover on dashboard has warped. Edge nearest windshield has curled up and is now touching windshield at least 5 inches from base. Warped dashboard blocks air from defroster resulting in safety hazard as visibility is significantly reduced especially in cold weather. This is the result of a known defect (tsb 01b78). Ford had an owner notification program in place but I never received a letter despite owning the car and having it registered at the time. A supervisor at the ford "customer relationship center" told me that "it must have been lost in the mail". I was told that the repair offer has now expired. This is no longer an aesthetic problem as the blockage of the defroster severely compromises safety.
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 the federal safety agency. Updated 10/2/2006 -
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.
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.
Same as many other complaints. The dash board is coming apart and curling up so that the defroster vent is blocked causing a safety problem. Ford wants me to pay ($500.00) to fix an obvious defect in the car as manufactured. Ford needs to step up to the plate and take responsibility.
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.
I have a 2000 ford contour and the dashboard is warped. It is curling up at the defrost vent area.
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.
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.
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.
Fax fm consumer who is attempting to get assistance re a warped dashboard on his wife's 2000 ford contour, dissatisfied w/the federal safety agency's prev. Responses, reply east georgia reg. Ofc., dot/I#2005-6046 *ts
Ford contour svt dash warpage.
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.
1) no event yet. 2) the dash is curled and pulled away from windshield to the point the defrosters can't work. The entire front dash assembly has twisted until there is tension on the airbags, steering wheel, stereo has fallen out, no venting works. So much distortion that we are fearful of the air bags releasing any time the vehicle hits a bump. 3) I took the car to the dealer for other maintenance issues the first year and asked him about the dash, why it was pulling away from the car. He couldn't explain it. Three times the first year we had this discussion. The following year he mentioned a recall on my vehicle for the dashboard, but stated "it's too late now, it ended in october". I went to the owner of the community ford where we purchased the car and he told me I had to "go to the manufacturer, ford" and get the dash replaced." I've contacted ford motors via-e-mail, and get no response. 4) the defrosters can't operate because the dash has curled and blocks air from reaching the glass. Visibility is obstructed. Very dangerous to drive. The movement and distortion of the entire front dash is dangerous for my family for fear of the air bags releasing or the dash just simply falling into our laps while we are traveling. 5) I purchased the car new and these problems started within three months of owning the vehicle. I've heard other similar complaints about this particular model of vehicle. 6) I like the car, has good gas mileage, etc., and can't afford a new one. The safety issues need to be dealt with. 7) someone will be killed driving this car.
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
Ltr fm douglas holt (ga) 2nd attempt w/additional information to get the federal safety agency to require ford to replace his defective warped dashboard that now causes the window defroster to be rendered ineffective.*mr
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
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?
My dashboard separated from the windshield and causes a visibility problem and the vent came detached from the dash
The dashboard is separating after being repaired on a recall. Windshield is very hard to defrost because of this condition.
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.
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.
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.
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?
The dash panel pad curled up causing poor visibility. *nm
The dashboard separated the windshield. This is a distraction to the consumers view. Please provide more information.
The consumer stated the dashboard is beginning to buckle up. As a result, the defroster is blocked and visibility is impaired.
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