DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE ENGINE STALLS CAUSING ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH TO ILLUMINATE. ADDITIONALLY THE SPEEDOMETER, GAS GAUGE AND ODOMETER BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT BECAUSE IT WAS PURCHASED AS IS THEY WILL NOT INSPECT IT.
1999 Mercury Cougar
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cougar years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
67 reportsSINCE MOVING TO TEXAS IN 2001 I HAVE HAD REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. I HAVE SPENT IN EXCESS OF $5,000 TRYING TO GET THIS FIXED. I JUST PICKED UP MY CAR AGAIN TODAY AFTER SPENDING ANOTHER $700+ TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. I ONLY WENT APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES WHEN THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I AM TRYING TO…
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SINCE MOVING TO TEXAS IN 2001 I HAVE HAD REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. I HAVE SPENT IN EXCESS OF $5,000 TRYING TO GET THIS FIXED. I JUST PICKED UP MY CAR AGAIN TODAY AFTER SPENDING ANOTHER $700+ TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. I ONLY WENT APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES WHEN THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I FEEL THIS IS A RECALL ITEM AND WOULD LIKE SOMETHING DONE CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT WAS A WEATHER ISSUE, ETC. IT SEEMS NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. HELP!!!! *NM
AS SOON AS I BOUGHT THE CAR USED WITH 49000 IT WOULDN'T START. REPLACED THE STARTER, STILL WASN'T RIGHT. HAD TO REPLACE THE FLYWHEEL BECAUSE THE OLD AND NEW STARTER NEVER MATCHED PROPERLY WITH FLYWHEEL. THEN, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE EGR SENSOR WAS BAD. REPLACED THE SENSOR. ALL OF THIS WITHIN ONE MONTH OF OWNING THE…
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AS SOON AS I BOUGHT THE CAR USED WITH 49000 IT WOULDN'T START. REPLACED THE STARTER, STILL WASN'T RIGHT. HAD TO REPLACE THE FLYWHEEL BECAUSE THE OLD AND NEW STARTER NEVER MATCHED PROPERLY WITH FLYWHEEL. THEN, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE EGR SENSOR WAS BAD. REPLACED THE SENSOR. ALL OF THIS WITHIN ONE MONTH OF OWNING THE CAR. THEN A FEW MONTHS LATER COOLANT LIGHT WASN'T JUST COMING ON, BUT STAYING ON, HAD TO REPLACE COOLANT TANK DUE TO SHORTING OF THE SENSOR IN THE TANK. NOW, SIX MONTHS AFTER OWNING CAR, ENGINE LIGHT IS BACK ON. *AK
3/21/05 VEHICLE TAKEN TO LINCOLN MERCURY DRIVEABILITY CONCERN BY>>( MY WIFE)>>>CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, THEY FOND INTAKE GASKETS LEAKING VAC & BANK 2 ALSO MONITOR ARE VERY ACTIVE NEED TUNE UP AND PLUG WIRES AND TIRES... MY WIFE GAVE THEM ALL TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES PO420 & PO430 PAPER....ALSO,TOLD THE…
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3/21/05 VEHICLE TAKEN TO LINCOLN MERCURY DRIVEABILITY CONCERN BY>>( MY WIFE)>>>CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, THEY FOND INTAKE GASKETS LEAKING VAC & BANK 2 ALSO MONITOR ARE VERY ACTIVE NEED TUNE UP AND PLUG WIRES AND TIRES... MY WIFE GAVE THEM ALL TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES PO420 & PO430 PAPER....ALSO,TOLD THEM 99-MERCURY COUGAR 2.5L ENGINE STALL AND HAVE INABILITY TO START CAR...THEY KEPT PAPER, AND TOLD HER SHE NEED NEW BATTERY CABLES!!!! CALL MANUFACTURER ON TSB AND RECALL, WE WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL ON OUR VEHICLE I.D. NUMBER....ETC........CONSUMER REPORTS USED CAR BUYING GUIDE FOND RECALL ---99-00 MERCURY COUGAR WITH 2.5L V6 ENGINE----NATSA NUMBER #01I009000 PLEASE HELP............. *JB
I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 10/99. I HAVE HAD THE SUN ROOF REPLACED ONCE AND NOW NEEDS IT AGAIN FOR THE SAME REASON; THE TRACK BROKE ($1000 TO FIX, $2000 IF I GO TO THE DEALER). THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS BEEN CHANGED TWICE BECAUSE IT STICKS (IT NEED TO BE CHANGED AGAIN). IN 2/00 IT STARTED: WHENEVER…
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I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 10/99. I HAVE HAD THE SUN ROOF REPLACED ONCE AND NOW NEEDS IT AGAIN FOR THE SAME REASON; THE TRACK BROKE ($1000 TO FIX, $2000 IF I GO TO THE DEALER). THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS BEEN CHANGED TWICE BECAUSE IT STICKS (IT NEED TO BE CHANGED AGAIN). IN 2/00 IT STARTED: WHENEVER THE CAR GOT COLD, THE CAR WOULD EITHER NOT TURN ON OR WOULD JUST SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. HE CHANGED NUMEROUS PARTS BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE, UNTIL A 2004 RECALL FOR SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM. ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT WHICH TIME THE DEALER REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AT WHICH TIME THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS THE HEAD GASKET. THAT, I HAD REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEN STILL HAD TO BRING IT BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER DONE A SECOND TIME, AND TO HAVE THE COMPUTER RESET TO HAVE THE ENGINE LIGHT SHUT OFF. ANYTIME I HAVE WORK DONE ON THE CAR, EVEN JUST MAINTENANCE, THE CHECK COOLANT LIGHT OR THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND I HAVE TO BRING IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT SHUT OFF. IN 9/05 THE COOLANT LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND A DAY LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, I BROUGHT THE CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CHANGED THE OVERFLOW TANK BECAUSE HE BELIEVED IT TO BE A BAD SENSOR. AFTER FIXING THAT, THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF AS WELL AS ONE OF MY BRAKE LIGHTS. HE DID MULTIPLE TESTS AND DETERMINED THAT IT IS SOMETHING ELECTRICAL, UNFORTUNATELY HE COULD NOT PINPOINT THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. FOR SOME REASON THOSE LIGHTS HAVE GONE OFF BUT I EXPECT THEM COME BACK ON SOON. *JB
WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE ,THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE COMPUTER CODE NEEDED TO BE RESET AND RESET IT TWICE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
1999 MERCURY COUGAR HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE SPEAKERS, BATTERY EQUIPMENT, BRAKE EQUIPMENT AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER STATED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING SHE NOTICED THE VEHICLE HAD NO BRAKES, THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO FIND A MECHANIC W…
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1999 MERCURY COUGAR HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE SPEAKERS, BATTERY EQUIPMENT, BRAKE EQUIPMENT AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER STATED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING SHE NOTICED THE VEHICLE HAD NO BRAKES, THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO FIND A MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED ALL FOR ROTORS AND PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE. *JB
WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE/SURGE FORWARD BEFORE STALLING. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP WILL BE NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB
WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE ,THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE COMPUTER CODE NEEDED TO BE RESET AND RESET IT TWICE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. …
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WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE ,THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE COMPUTER CODE NEEDED TO BE RESET AND RESET IT TWICE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB *TC
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. VEHICLE STALLED, AND WAS STARTED AGAIN. THEN, THE VEHICLE REVVED SEVERELY. DEALER SENT THE VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOPS FIVE TIMES FOR ESTIMATES, BUT COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. *NM
Official recalls
704V421000 · 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
1EA01001 · 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
Illustration