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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

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

3 reports
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680,000 miles · Dec 12, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

YES, I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN JULY OF 2017. WHEN I TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, EVERYTHING SEEMED PERFECTLY FINE. YET, THE DAY I RECEIVED IT, I WENT TO THE GAS STATION TO FILL UP. UPON RETURNING HOME, 1 MILE., THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS TOLD BY THE SELLER ALL WAS PERFECTLY FINE. DRIVE THE CAR, IT WILL BE FINE. I WAS CONCERNED A…

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YES, I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN JULY OF 2017. WHEN I TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, EVERYTHING SEEMED PERFECTLY FINE. YET, THE DAY I RECEIVED IT, I WENT TO THE GAS STATION TO FILL UP. UPON RETURNING HOME, 1 MILE., THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS TOLD BY THE SELLER ALL WAS PERFECTLY FINE. DRIVE THE CAR, IT WILL BE FINE. I WAS CONCERNED AND I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC. AFTER RUNNING SOME DIAGNOSTIC TESTS, I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A CATALYIC CONVERTER, REPAIRS OVER $1500.00. I WAS READING THE RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE AND CAME ACROSS CAMPAIGN ID# NHTSA 04V421000. THE RECALL WAS FOR CONTAMINATION OF THE FILTER I THE FUEL DELIVERY MODE(FDM) CAN REDUCE AND EVENTUALLY BLOCK, THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE. IN WHICH, CAN CAUSE MANY PROBLEMS. I HAVE THOSE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. UPON STARTING, IT REVIVES UP, THEN EVENTUALLY SLOWS DOWN AND ALMOST KILLS. IT SOUNDS AS IF NO GAS IS GETTING TO THE ENGINE. LOSS OF POWER, STALLING. MY QUESTION IS HOW I COULD FIND OUT IF THIS RECALL WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE. WHERE DO I START. I REALIZE ITS BEEN MORE THAN 10YEARS FROM THE PURCHASE OF IT NEW, AND I DIDN'T PURCHASE NEW, BUT IF THE RECALL WASN'T DONE...MAY I BE ENTITLED? THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 68,000 MILES ON THE ENGINE. IS THIS THE PROBLEM AND HAS IT NOW EFFECTED THE CATALYIC CONVERTER? THANKS GREATLY FOR YOUR PRECIOUS TIME. A REPLY WOULD GREATLY BE APPRECIATED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

NHTSA ODI #11054177

115,000 miles · Dec 18, 2015
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE FAILED AFTER THE CONTACT DROV…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE FAILED AFTER THE CONTACT DROVE FOR A COUPLE OF MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR AND FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V031000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) OR 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ODI #10811201

117,000 miles · Sep 9, 2013
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT INSPECTED UNDER THE HOOD AND TIGHTENED THE BATTERY CABLE. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED UPON REACHING THE RESIDENCE. IN ADDITION, A STRONG ODO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT INSPECTED UNDER THE HOOD AND TIGHTENED THE BATTERY CABLE. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED UPON REACHING THE RESIDENCE. IN ADDITION, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WITH A SMALL AMOUNT OF LEAKAGE ON THE GROUND. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 04V421000 ( FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND 01V031000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN EITHER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

NHTSA ODI #10542585

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