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1999 Mercury Cougar

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

129 reports with mileage · 325 unknown

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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 99 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 72 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

23 crash reports3 fire reports21 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

31 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2000
Air BagsService Brakes, Hydraulic

THE PCRV FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 00V-075 RESULTING IN 2 ACCIDENTS, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING BOTH ACCIDENTS. NLM

NHTSA ODI #558190

Mileage unknown · Jul 5, 2000
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING ON A 4-LANE HIGHWAY, LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIT UP AND ENGINE DIED. THEN, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WITH NO BRAKES OR STEERING VEHICLE STARTED TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT A GUARDRAIL AT ABOUT 55MPH. CONSUMER SAID IT WAS A ENGINE PROBLEM. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK *ML

NHTSA ODI #864749

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2000
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingStructure

DRIVER'S DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #784693

Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2000
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN FRONTAL CRASH. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK UP, CAUSING DRIVER TO HIT WINDSHIELD. ALSO, DRIVER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED AFTER DRIVER HIT WINDSHIELD AND WAS THROWN BACK INTO SEAT, CAUSING A MAJOR CONCUSSION. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #860160

Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2000
Air Bags

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE SYSTEM. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #855454

Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2000
Air BagsTiresCrash

VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 35MPH AND HIT A POTHOLE A TIRE BLEW OUT, AND DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER SAYS THE POTHOLE MESSED UP THE AIRBAG SENSOR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #854911

Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 1999
Air BagsCrashInjury

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 44MPH AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN INJURIES. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #854110

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 1999
Air Bags

AIR BAG INDICATION LIGHT WOULD FLASH INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #850166

Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 1999
Air Bags

THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON, INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. BUT THEN LIGHT WENT OFF. HOWEVER, THERE CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #849761

Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 1999
Air BagsSuspensionCrash

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 25MPH SOMETHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD, CAUSING BOTH AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. THEN, VEHICLE SWERVED AND HIT THE CURB. *AK

NHTSA ODI #846227

Official recalls

7

04V421000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Aug 30, 2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, CONTAMINATION OF THE FILTER IN THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) CAN REDUCE, AND EVENTUALLY BLOCK, THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS MAY CAUSE ENGINE HESITATION, LOSS OF POWER, SURGING, AND OTHER SIMILAR SYMPTOMS. OVER TIME, THE FILTER MAY BECOME SUFFICIENTLY BLOCKED TO CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: THIS ACTION IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN AND IS NOT BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE SAFETY ACT. ALL OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FDM WITH A NEW DESIGN AT NO CHARGE IF THE OWNER REPORTS THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITS ANY OF THE IDENTIFIED SYMPTOMS. THE FREE REPLACEMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, WITH NO MILEAGE LIMIT. THE CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON APRIL 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

01V230000 · Electrical System

Jul 9, 2001

ON CERTAIN MY 1996-1998 PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY, CUAUTITLAN ASSEMBLY PLANTS OR ON MY 1999 PASSENGER VEHCLES BUILT AT THE AUTOMOTIVE ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY PLANTS, THE ROUGH SURFACE OF THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR'S STAINLESS STEEL BLADES CAN DAMAGE THE COPPER SURFACE OF THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR. THE DAMAGE COULD, OVER TIME, CAUSE INCREASED RESISTANCE IN THE CONNECTOR AND, DUE TO SUBSEQUENT TERMINAL RELAXATION, RESULT IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE OPEN CIRCUIT COULD LEAD TO ELECTRICAL ARCING THAT COULD MELT THE CONNECTOR HOUSING MATERIAL CREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR AND A NEW WIRE JUMPER HARNESS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 29, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

01V031000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables

Feb 6, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L V6 ENGINES. THE BATTERY CABLE WAS MISROUTED AND ITS ATTACHMENT TO THE ALTERNATOR CABLE WAS UNDER-TORQUED. IF MISROUTED, THE CABLE COULD CONTACT THE POWER STEERING LINE AND THE INSULATION COULD WEAR, RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE SHORT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE, STALLING, OR A NO-START CONDITION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BATTERY CABLE TO THE ALTERNATOR FOR DAMAGE AND, IF IT IS DAMAGED, WILL REPLACE THE CABLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE ROUTING OF THE CABLE WILL BE CORRECTED, AS NECESSARY, AND A ROUTING CLIP WILL BE ADDED. ALSO THE TORQUE ON THE ALTERNATOR ATTACHMENT OF THE CABLE WILL BE CHECKED AND, AS REQUIRED, WILL BE TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

01V032000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Feb 6, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH TERMINALS COULD OVERHEAT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE EITHER A LOSS OF BRAKE LAMP FUNCTION OR CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED BRAKE LAMPS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW STOP LAMP EXTENSION HARNESS WITH BRONZE TERMINALS AT THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH CONNECTOR, AND ALSO INSPECT THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH FOR SIGNS OF OVERHEATING AND REPLACE, AS REQUIRED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

00V075000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components

Mar 9, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). A PRESSURE CONSCIOUS REDUCING VALVE (PCRV) IN THE REAR BRAKES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CORROSION AND RESULT IN MALFUNCTION, WHEN OPERATED IN AREAS THAT USE SALT COMPOUNDS ON THE ROADWAY FOR DE-ICING OR DUST CONTROL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF BOTH PCRV'S MALFUNCTION, VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED DURING BRAKING AS A RESULT OF THE REAR WHEELS LOCKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL IMPROVED PCRV'S IN THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS RECALL WAS EXPANDED IN SEPTEMBER 2000 TO INCLUDE 1999 AND 2000 FORD CONTOUR, MERCURY MYSTIQUE AND COUGAR VEHICLES.

99V226000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Aug 18, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DOOR LATCH MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH A LATCH PAWL THAT HAS A COATING WHICH WILL SWELL IN HIGH HUMIDITY CONDITIONS. THE LATCH PAWL MAY THEN STICK IN THE OPEN OR UNLATCHED POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH WHEN CLOSED. IF THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN IN THIS CONDITION, IT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN THE DOOR OPENING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED SIDE DOOR LATCH.

99V194000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Jul 20, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH A BURR ON OR NEAR THE END OF THE CABLE SLEEVE INTERIOR. THIS BURR COULD FRAY THE CORE WIRE RESULTING IN THE ACCELERATOR NOT RETURNING TO IDLE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE THROTTLE STICKING, BINDING, OR CAUSING HIGH ENGINE RPM.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED ACCELERATOR CABLE THAT HAS A FLARED CONDUIT SLEEVE END AND MOLDED ON END FITTING.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA01001 · Blower Switch/resistor Or Wiring Harness

Opened Jan 5, 2001 · Closed Jul 31, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

Electrical System

There is no summary currently available