1997 Ford Contour from North America - Comments

RE: Dash problems.

I did some looking around on other sites, and thought it might be helpful to others..

1) NHTSA Investigation. http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/defect/results.cfm?action_number=DP06004&SearchType=QuickSearch&summary=true.

2) Another complaint website http://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Contour/1999/accessories-interior/dashboard_peeling_away_from_windshield.shtml.

3) Don't know if anybody would find this useful.. aftermarket dash trim...http://www2.partstrain.com/partlisting/full/ford/contour/dash_trim/1998/2000.html?ptc=S1171391678W45d204bec356b&ptk=1998+1999+2000+Ford+Contour+Dash+Trim+-+Ford+98+99+00+Dash+Trim.

Also, I believe that the repair kit for this problem is part no. 1s2z5404282da, though I am still trying to locate one.

The '95 to '97 model Contour/Mystique don't seem to have this dash curling problem. Did anyone ever try to swap the '98 and later dash for an older one? Just wondering...

I have a 97 contour and the transmission is slipping and it won't go into overdrive. When it shifts, it shifts HARD like the motor is going to fall out. When I pull up to a red light or stop sign the car just shakes and I have to put it in neutral. Also we checked the spark plugs and there was oil all over them.

I agree.

I purchased our present 2000 Ford Contour in 2002 with 18,000 miles on it. It has been a good little car for my wife. But, last week, the dash board just exploded! I thought it was going to knock out the windshield. With only 60,000 miles on the car and the body is in great shape, we would like to get this dashboard repaired. We never got a recall notice from Ford. We were told the car was still under factory warranty when we purchased it. Has any one had any luck getting Ford to fix this problem? Or, should I just write the states attorney general on this? Please let me know. gshel215of@yahoo.com.

Same problem with the dash of my 2000 Contour. First the vent popped up and then the dash began to curl. I think I might try driving a few drywall screws through it to hold it down. I just need to be sure I won't be hitting any wires.

2000 Contour SE here too... same problems as most... first the dash, then the fuel pump, then the gear selector motor (or something as it was called - a little black box that tells the tranny what gear to shift into), then the starter...

I replaced the fuel pump, gear selector, and the starter myself, but don't know where to go for the dash... what's worse is that I DID take mine while still under the original factory warranty when the defroster piece came loose to a dealer, who told me that it was a recall and to come back when it got a bit worse. Then, when we returned, we were told that the recall was expired! WHAT BS! (btw - I am/was a big Ford fan before this debacle - I own no less than four Fords: 1998 Mustang GT, 1999 F150 Laredo, 2000 Counter SE Sport, and a 2005 Mustang Convertible).

Never again... Ford has decided to not stand behind their products, so neither will I from this point forward. I am in the market for a new car now and will not even consider a Ford since they would/will not fix our Contour's dash, even though it is a KNOWN manufacturing defect.

WOW!! if only I had done this research before I bought the car.

I was using my grandparent Ford Pinto Stationwagon coz the engine in my Blazer blew. This was the first car I saw, and I was sold.

Well, I bought it in May of 2005. The dash has started to curl pretty badly.

A month ago I noticed that the engine was surging when I was heating it up in the morning. THen it started surging at lights and stalled when I came to a crawl. Took it to the shop. They repaired three hoses and the problem was still there. I took it back and they replaced the Idle Control. Fixed, (1,000 dollars later, and that's with a discount for being friends with the mechanic!) it also fixed that loud humming noise someone else was talking about. After reading this board, I'm afraid to drive it!

I can't wait to finish college so I can buy a toyota! In the meantime, I will save like crazY!

To 14:00:

I have seen a Contour with big long screws to hold the dash cover down. They were angled to be parallel with the windshield, going down and forward across the vent opening. I think the older Contours, '95 through '97 had a different dash design and it should be possible to use those for a replacement. Good luck.

I thought I let you know: when you have trouble go to the CEG group (Contour Enthusiast Group) on the Internet and do some research. Give the results to your mechanic and he will be able to get to the causes much quicker and could fix it possibly much less costly.

I have a 1998 Ford Contour LX,4 door. I bought it with 102,000 miles. I've had to replace the fuses for heating/cooling, alternator, back strut, oil leaks, some other kind of leak, front springs and now it looks like a front wheel bearing is going bad. All kinds of weird noises have come from underneath during the last couple of weeks. All of this is seemingly due to one wheel bearing being on the way to its graveyard. The Contour is a great-looking car, but this car has become one expensive vehicle because of repairs. And, to make things weirder, the Contour also sounds pretty rough when it idles at a stop light. I didn't pay much to get it, but the repairs have made me actually pay double what the original price was. Even still, if it lasts up till 190,000 miles, it'll be a good buy. But, I can't help but wonder about more repairs considering its history.