NHTSA Complaint #10175225 — 2000 FORD CONTOUR

THE VENT BRACKET ON THE DASH BECAME LOOSE AND WAS ABOUT TO FALL OFF WHEN I REMOVED IT FROM THE CAR. THE DASH PAD BEGAN TO SHRINK AND PULL AWAY FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND DASH IMMEDIATELY AFTER WE GOT THE CAR. THE MANUFACTURER DISCONTINUED TO PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT IN 2004. THERE WAS A REPAIR CAMPAIGN FOR A 6 MONTH PERIOD--BEFORE I OWNED THE CAR. I WOULD LIKE FORD TO PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT PART TO ME AT NO COST. I WILL INSTALL IT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE DEFROSTER IS BLOCKED BY THE LEADING EDGE OF THE SHRINKING DASH PAD; PART OF THE DRIVER'S VISION IS BLOCKED; THE GRILLE IS DANGEROUS IF IT BECOMES LOOSE IN THE CAR; THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WILL BE INTERFERED WITH UNLESS THERE IS A REMEDY. *JB