How can you repair a warped dashboard in a 99 Ford Contour SE and how much would the dealer charge?

Answer 1

I have it to ! you can get a kit from the dealer for 50 bucks and spend 4 hours taking the whole thing off and putting it back on or pay a mechanic 150 bucks an hour to do it for you i just ignore mine not worth the troubleI think I have the same problem. Over time, the top of the Contour's dash board has warped, causing the plastic grill that directs the blower air to pop out. The dealership said the entire dashboard had to be replaced and it would cost well over $1000. As an alternative, they suggested forcing the plastic grill back into place, then using epoxy to hold it in position. However, they would not do this work. I would be on my own. I haven't tried it yet, because I don't think it will work.

I had the same problem with my 99 Contour SE. I had the entire dash replaced in 2002 (dealership did it for free). Two years later (June 2004) it has happened again. I just got a quote from the dealership today. To replace dashboard again plus labor is about $375.00. I've seen this topic come up on other Ford Contour forums, seems to be a common problem. Otherwise I love my car. Good luck!

I Too have the same problem with my '99 Contour SE. Another friend of mine with an older Ford Taurus had a similar problem as well, and he predrilled some holes and eventually had to screw down the Dashboard, without replacing it. The problem with the Contour however is that space is so tight between the windshield and top part of the dash that its nearly impossible to work in there without taking off the windshield. My dashboard has been a problem for close to 2 years now, and I think I'm going to finally try and do what my friend did, and screw down the dash, however it doesn't look like it will be easy to do.

I had the same problem in 2001 and now again in 2004. My dealer fixed it the first time but now tells me that with Ford it is a one time fix and I am out of luck and on my own. I plan to use epoxy as a temp fix until I can get some answers from Ford or the dealer. Good luck to you.

I also have a Ford Contour 1999 that has the dash warping. The air vent is also popping out. I had the dealer replace it in 2001 and it still did it again. I did a little research on it and this is the only car that doesnt have the dash clips on it. (looks like a really strange looking paper clip.) I figured that If I used epoxy (one rated for high temps) that this would work. MMMM no! What I did do though is a found a really large surenge and mixed my epoxy and then added it to it (it keeps the mess down) I then inserted the exoxy as far under the dash (through the air vent cover once it was removed) as I far could get it. I then found some (you going to laugh) some small hurricane reienforcement brackets (strong metal that doesnt cost alot, and will not bed by hand easily). Found some that had the same size and width as the defroster vents just cut to fit. to just fit in the dash knotches on both sides(not the cover look inside the dash air vent) and used black zip ties to secure the dash to the vents and stuffed towels to push the dash down long enough for the epoxy to cure (longer cure more set up time about 24 hour cure time). I let my care sit for a day or two and then put the air vent cover back on. I think the trick is the type of glue. It took me about $30 for all the parts and epoxy and some of my time about two hours. I havent had really any problems as of yet. I don't recommend this to eveyone though.

I too had the same problem, it is a faulty part. I have had it replaced twice (free under MW). They know it's a problem, and don't wan't to admit it, but when I pressed the issue, they replace it both times at no cost to me.

I had the problem also. I tried to repair it but the dash material was so stiff I coildn't hold it down and try to snap the vent in at the same time. A stone just append to crack the windshield. I made an appointment to have it replaced and ask the glass shop to call me when they had the old windshield out so I cound come over and try to fix it with the windshield out. They were kind enough to do that so I went over and glued the dash down with a spray adhesive and then was able to screw down the grill. My advice is to follow a gravel truck!

I had the problem also. I tried to repair it but the dash material was so stiff I couldn't hold it down and try to snap the vent in at the same time. A stone just happend to crack the windshield. I made an appointment to have it replaced and ask the glass shop to call me when they had the old windshield out so I could come over and try to fix it with the windshield out. They were kind enough to do that so I went over and glued the dash down with a spray adhesive and then was able to screw down the grill. My advice is to follow a gravel truck!

at one time ford had a recall on them

New HeadlineSame problem with my '99 Ford Contour SE. In the course of a single hot Stockton day, my dash curled up so bad the defroster now barely works. I had to remove the plastic grill over the vents because it got caught in my steering wheel during a turn. Ford did a good job with this car, but they screwed up royally with this part. It could have killed me. My plan is to douse it in vinyl conditioner and then heat it with a hair dryer to see if it becomes soft enough to epoxy back down. I doubt this will work though because the space is so tight.

I had the same problem with my '00 Contour. I lived with it for about 18 mos., but it was a bear on cold winter nights when the defrosters didn't hit the wind shield directly in front of the driver.

Just fixed it yesterday by drilling holes 6 in. apart across the whole dash, about 1/2 in. back from the front lip. Then we heated a finish nail to red hot with a torch. Holding the dash down tight we put the finish nail (held in a vice grips) down through the hole we drilled and melted a pilot hole in the hard plastic plate under the dash. We then put a self-drilling screw through the dash and the pilot hole and drilled it in with a 1/4 in. rachet (the only thing we could get in the tight space.)

Once we had screwed the whole dash down, we zip-tied the plastic grill back.

Not the prettiest job (you'll see the screws), but I have another 6 in. of visibility now and the defrosters will work in the winter again. Good luck!

My 1999 Contour SE had the same problem. It is a great little car and is now 10 years old with only 32k. I asked the dealership and they referred me to a car upholsterer but it was obvious that re-glueing had been tried before. My neighbor has the same car and the dashboards look like twins! They are badly peeled back and the defroster vents are hidden. We live in Florida thank goodness. I decided the easiest way to deal with it now it to trim off the excess vinyl and cover the dash with a custom cover. Who's going to look under there anyway?