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.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

Dash on Ford Contour warps, interfering with vision and defrost capabilities of vehicle. Ford had a one recall on the dash, but refuses to fix the problem again.

- Poway, CA, USA

99' Ford Contour SE the dashboard has been replaced once before. It becomes unglued and obstructs view, and also prevents the defroster from working properly. This is clearly a defect by the manufacturer, as like I said it has been previously repaired in a Ford service department. Unfortunately, it has became unglued again.

- Kenner, LA, USA

This is not an aesthetic complaint as classified by Ford Motor Corporation. Dashboard is peeling up from base of windshield and obstructing drivers view, defrost panel is now dislodged from dashboard and creating additional obstruction of driver's view and rendered non functional. The recession of the dashboard is now separating from the air bag deployment section of the dash. I purchased this vehicle new and have been the sole owner since its purchase in July 1999 and have been refused assistance. I contacted first the Ford dealership from which I purchased the vehicle and was told there was in fact a recall on this item and had since expired and was directed to call Ford Motor Corporation directly for further assistance. I was not notified of the recall. The three customer service representatives that I have spoken to over the past 24-30 months each confirmed the recall and noted 1) since it was classified as an aesthetic problem it had an expiration date attached it and 2) it was sent to the dealerships to expedite on vehicles that came in for scheduled maintenance visits. Again, I was not notified from either the dealership at the time of my service visits or Ford Motor Corporation when the recall was initiated. I have requested second opinions from outside sources that are Ford certified in body repair and each noted the ramifications of driving this vehicle without the manufacturer defect corrected is and not limited to a spontaneous deployment of the air bag and a result of a potentially fatal accident for the driver, passengers, and not excluding other drivers on the road that could inadvertently be involved. In my research of this situation I have found complaints of this nature with similar responses since 2001.

- Yorktown, VA, USA

Vehicle hesitates and jerks violently on acceleration, feels like it wants to stall.dashboard curled up in front by windshield, obstructing view and popped out vent trim. Dealer wouln't fix it because they said the recall on it had expired. Had to try to glue it down ourself.

- Lake Jackson, TX, 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

Our car has had problems since day one we have 2 different emblams on the fenders, window fell out, speakers busted, carpet ruined by leaks, fan switch only works on high setting, instrument panel smoked up as if burning, hood doesn't meet up with cowl, trunk stays soaked, and there are numerous other problems all happened within six months of original purchase.

- Hardinsburg, KY, USA