This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The dashboard windshield air/defrosting vent cover below the windshield popped off and the dashboard padding has pealed up blocking windshield/forward visibility. This has caused the vehicle to fail the Virginia safety inspection. All remedies we have tried have only seem to provide temporary relief. I have pictures. I have talked to several other Contour owners who have the same problems and I have seen Contour in parking lots with similar conditions. Additionally, I was told this was identified in a past safety recall. This is a safety hazard resulting from defective materials and poor design.
The contact stated the dashboard warped. It touched the windshield, and was pulling the passenger's air bag piece. The air bag light came on a couple of days ago. The light has not been on since. He stated now that he was using the defroster, it was coming up more. Often. The vehicle has not been inspected to see why this was occurring.
Consumer stated dashboard was lifting, and defogger did not work. There was a recall regarding this issue. However, there was no recall information in the system. Consumer was told that a letter was sent to her two years ago.
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
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Purchased car in Sept. 99; no dashboard warpage' received a printout of tsb# 01B78 for warpage on 8/24/01; no warpage yet. 01/07/04 received a printout from dealer of no active tsb#01B78. Dashboard warpage severe after winter of 2004. Brought into service the tsb. The dealer and Ford company failed to fix the problem. They quote the sent letters to consumers of the car. I never received a letter. The blame the us post office for the fault. Liability falls into the mfg., which is Ford not the usps. Dashboard is warped and defroster fails to defrost the windshield in the winter due to warpage. The defrost vanes no longer fits in the dash to direct flow to windshield which causes a visual hazard to driving in foggy, wintered environments. I would like the tsb serviced due to hazard. I am orig. Owner of the car. I found all the information on my own through the internet and printouts. No official notification was served to me. The liability should to service this tsb.
Consumer states her dashborad is warped and when she turns on her defrogger the air does not hit the windshield, causing the windshield to take longer to become clear.
Within 6 months of the purchase of my vehicle, the car started having problems with vibrations, shaking, and severe noise while driving. The engine idled rough and got more severe when the heating or cooling system was used. All tires have been replaced, a major brake job with rotors turned was completed, and the struts were replaced. Regardless of this work, the shaking in the car has gotten progressively worse. I have taken my car to the dealership five times for the same problems. They have either said that it was "normal Contour" or that it was the tires. Finally, they indicate that there is a problem but they cannot determine what it is. My car makes a thumping noise and a squealing noise when I make slow right turns. On several occasions my foot has been on the brake pedal and my car surged forward. At one point I thought that the person behind me had hit me because the car jerked so hard and so unexpectedly. Again, I am told that this is normal. This is the worst car that I have ever owned.
When consumer steered to the left vehicle pulled more than intended. Dealer inspected the vehicle & found nothing wrong. The steering problem is caused by bad front end alignment. The transmission failed. Broken motor mount was found. The heater failed too.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Woodbridge, VA, USA