Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Ford Contour owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I had just got on interstate when my car started cutting out. I immediately put my flashers on & tried to get in the left lane so I could get on shoulder of interstate but cars would not allow me to get over. My car died in middle of interstate. I called asap (a service in alabama for help on the interstate) & told them where I was & I needed them to bring me some gas. Then a car came flying up behind me but was able to stop & did not hit me. Then the car behind him had stopped but a truck behind her was not able to stop. He hit her, she hit the man behind me and he hit me. Paramedics were called for a 4 year old in the womans car who said his head hurt. I could have been killed if the car behind me had hit me and turned my car sideways & was hit on the side by another car, because everyone was driving way too fast and did not acknowledge my flashers at all. …
The vinyl covering on the dashboard is peeling away from the underlying structure. It has, over a period of about 5 months, peeled back far enough that it obstructs the view out of the windshield. The windshield defrost vent trim no longer fits into place. The defroster no longer works properly, as the vinyl now obstructs the air flow. The vinyl is also in such a position as to potentially impede the functon of the passenger-side airbag. Ford has issued a couple of 'campaigns', as they call it, but both have expired. My dash was not warped during the period of the campaign, and so was not replaced at that time. Since the extended warranty does not cover the dash, Ford will not cover the full cost of the replacement (~$1200). The dash on a 3.5 year car should not warp so badly it looks like a pringles chip. …
Ltr from doug holt (ga) re defective dashboard in his 2000 Ford Contour, dashboard has curled upwards 2 inches in front of the windshield obstructing wife's view when driving car, reply attn shannon bowen/toccoa dist. Ofc. Dot/I/#2004-511. This occurred during the summer heat. Ford was aware of the problem and had a repair program which ended the month the consumer purchased the vehicle. The problem was classified as a non-recall issue and would possibly deny the consumer for repairs.
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. 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.
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.
Sudden warpage of the instrument panel cover attaching to the defroster vent underneath the windshield (originally manufacturer's defect, NHTSA 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.
I,too, have the dashboard peeling issue. I did receive a letter, but at the time there was no problem. 2 months after the expiration date, my dashboard was warping. I contacted Ford and they said it was too late.the car is a 2000 and this defect was occurring 2 years later. I certainly believe Ford should fix this.
Consumer stated that the dashboard is peeling and the heat/air does not circulate properly. It is beginning to cover the vents, and the windshield cannot be cleared. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, who stated they have seen vehicles worst than his. The manufacturer indicated that this was a cosmetic problem.
Dashboard began slowly warping over a year. It got to the point where visibility ahead was compromised, and the defroster vents were no longer functioning. Dealer would not cover a replacement, so I had the work done at a local body shop at my full cost. So far, the replacement dash is OK.
In my wifes car the dashboard near the windshield is starting to come up its right near the vent in the car it makes drive the car more difficult due to the dash is now block part of the windshield I was told this has happened to some one before and I would like to have this looked into.
NHTSA investigations
Instrument panel cover warpage
The agency has denied a petition requesting an investigation of instrument panel warpage for the subject vehicles. The notice of denial was published in the federal register, volume 72, number 67, on Monday, April 9, 2007, pages 17605 and 17606.see document search for details.
Body complaints in other Contour years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2000 Ford Contour?
NHTSA has 79 complaints about the body & structure of the 2000 Ford Contour, 40% of the model year's 199 complaints. The component named most often is body › door (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Ford Contour body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2000 Ford Contour, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Ford Contour body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 46,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.