Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 18 of 195 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 105 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports4 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
195 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
THE COUGAR HEAD GASKETS BLOWN AND THE EXTENDED WARRENTY WAS EXHAUSTED 1 MONTH PRIOR THE DEALERSHIP WOULDNT STAND BEHINDE THE PROBLEM SO I INVESTEGATED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND OUT NUMEROUS COUGARS WITH 3.8 ENGINES HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM THE BRAKE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CONTINIOUS SINCE I HAVE OWNED THIS COUGAR NEW AS OF TODAY I HAVE REPL…
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THE COUGAR HEAD GASKETS BLOWN AND THE EXTENDED WARRENTY WAS EXHAUSTED 1 MONTH PRIOR THE DEALERSHIP WOULDNT STAND BEHINDE THE PROBLEM SO I INVESTEGATED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND OUT NUMEROUS COUGARS WITH 3.8 ENGINES HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM THE BRAKE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CONTINIOUS SINCE I HAVE OWNED THIS COUGAR NEW AS OF TODAY I HAVE REPLACED THE ROTORS CALIPERS AND PADS FOR THE 3 RD TIME I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL AND ONCE AGAIN THE DEALERSHIP DENYS ANY SUCH PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES AND HEAD GASKETS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #721015
Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2000
Electrical System
INTERMITTENTLY HEADLIGHTS WILL BECOME INOPERABLE DUE TO THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OVERHEATING. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THE VEHICLE'S MAKE AND MODEL. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. DRIVING ON BACK COUNTRY ROAD--NO WARNING LIGHTS. JUST WENT OUT AND STARTED T…
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INTERMITTENTLY HEADLIGHTS WILL BECOME INOPERABLE DUE TO THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OVERHEATING. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THE VEHICLE'S MAKE AND MODEL. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. DRIVING ON BACK COUNTRY ROAD--NO WARNING LIGHTS. JUST WENT OUT AND STARTED THEN FLASHING. DIDN'T DO IT AGAIN FOR A MONTH.
NHTSA ODI #858576
Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SIEZE UP. DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #858475
Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
BLOWN HEAD GASKET, REPAIRED AT BP PROCARE , SECOND AUTO OF THE SAME MAKE MODEL YEAR AND ENGINE THAT HAS HAD AN ENGINE FAILURE OF THIS NATURE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #720086
Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKET FAILED, ENGINE REPAIRED AT DEALER SHOP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #720084
Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
BLOWN HEAD GASKET, 3.8LITER V-6 ENGINE. REPAIRED AT ORIGINAL DEALERS SHOP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #720083
Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
I KNOW THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE SIZE AND MAKE. I WANT IN ON THE SUIT. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF THE CAR AND THIS MUST BE POOR WORKMANSHIP FROM THE FACTORY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #719971
Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY TWICE, TELEPHONE AND IN WRITING, WITH NO RESOLVE. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #719871
Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2000
Unknown Or Other
THE ORIGINAL PAINT IS PREMATURELY FLAKING IN AREAS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN DAMAGED AND SEEMS TO BE FROM WIND ABRASION WHICH HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH MANY FORD PRODUCTS. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #718467
Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2000
Exterior Lighting
COVER OVER THE HEADLIGHTS HAS TURNED YELLOW. CONSUMER HAS TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS TO SEE AT NIGHT. CONSUMER FEELS THAT HE HAAS LOST AT LEAST 30% PERCENT OF LIGHTING. *AK
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FOG LIGHTS, IN WHICH THE HEADLIGHTS MAY GO OUT FOR VARIOUS INTERVALS AND WHICH MAY BE PRECEDED BY FLICKERING OR BLINKING AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DRIVER'S COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH WHICH INCORPORATES A CIRCUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN, AND INSTALL A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR, IF NEEDED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WEST VIRGINIA. MOVEMENT OF THE FUEL LINES CAUSES THE NYLON FUEL LINE JUMPER TO CHAFE AGAINST THE FLOOR PAN. THIS WEAR CAN CAUSE A PIN HOLE IN THE FUEL LINE RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS FUEL LEAKAGE RESULTS IN DAMPNESS AND FUEL ODOR, AND IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PLASTIC CONVOLUTE COVERING AROUND THE FUEL LINES. IF THE LINES SHOW A LEAK, THE LINES WILL BE REPLACED FIRST.
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