IllustrationBRAKE FAILURE. *AK
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
90–25K
2725–50K
3750–75K
2675–100K
23100–150K
7150K+
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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
72 reportsBRAKE FAILURE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 35-40 MPH AND APPLYING BRAKES THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE, AND VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. CONSUMER INSPECTED BRAKES, BRAKE PAD HAD GROUND INTO THE ROTOR. CONSUMER REPLACED LEFT FRONT ROTOR.*AK
PLEASE CONTACT ME AT [XXX] TO FURTHER DESCRIBE THE PROBLEM. FRONT TIRE ROTORS WERE SHOT AFTER ONLY 30000. THIS IS HIGHLY UNUSUAL AND UNSAFE FOR OTHER MERCURY COUGAR OWNERS. WOULD LIKE TO GET 300 DOLLAR REIMBURSEMENT FROM FORD-MERCURY FOR REPLACEMENT / REPAIR OF ROTORS.*AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTEC…
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PLEASE CONTACT ME AT [XXX] TO FURTHER DESCRIBE THE PROBLEM. FRONT TIRE ROTORS WERE SHOT AFTER ONLY 30000. THIS IS HIGHLY UNUSUAL AND UNSAFE FOR OTHER MERCURY COUGAR OWNERS. WOULD LIKE TO GET 300 DOLLAR REIMBURSEMENT FROM FORD-MERCURY FOR REPLACEMENT / REPAIR OF ROTORS.*AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
THE CONSUMER IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF RECALLS THAT HAVE BEEN ISSUED ON THE VEHICLE SINCE THE DATE PURCHASED, BRAKE PRESSURE CONTROL VALVE 00V-075, BATTERY CABLE ROUTING 01V-031, BRAKE LAMP SWITCH JUMPER HARNESS 01V-032. *NLM
THE ENGINE WILL KILL WITHOUT ANY INDICATIONS AT HIGH SPEEDS OF 50+ MPH. WHEN ATTEMPT IS MADE TO HIT THE BRAKES OR STEER, THEY BOTH LOCK UP AND THAT IS WHEN I DISCOVER THAT THE CAR IS DEAD. LUCKILY, I NEVER NEEDED TO USE MY BRAKES OR STEERING WHEN IT HAPPENED, I COASTED THROUGH TRAFFIC WHILE HAVING TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND …
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THE ENGINE WILL KILL WITHOUT ANY INDICATIONS AT HIGH SPEEDS OF 50+ MPH. WHEN ATTEMPT IS MADE TO HIT THE BRAKES OR STEER, THEY BOTH LOCK UP AND THAT IS WHEN I DISCOVER THAT THE CAR IS DEAD. LUCKILY, I NEVER NEEDED TO USE MY BRAKES OR STEERING WHEN IT HAPPENED, I COASTED THROUGH TRAFFIC WHILE HAVING TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP HAS HAD IT FOR TWO WEEKS, THEY HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE FAIL FOR THEM, YET IT STILL READS AS IF THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT ON ALL OF THEIR DIAGNOSTICS. IT IS UNDER WARRANTY AND FORD IS NOT OFFERING TO REPLACE OR REIMBURSE ME FOR THE AUTOMOBILE. THEY ACTUALLY TOLD ME TO COME PICK IT UP AND DRIVE IT TILL IT HAPPENED AGAIN. SHOULD TRAFFIC HAD BEEN SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT WHEN THIS HAPPENED TO ME, I COULD BE DEAD, MY BABY COULD BE DEAD AND WHOMEVER I HIT COULD BE DEAD. YET FORD IS TAKING LITTLE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT.*AK
FRONT BRAKES FAILED WITH NO WARNING. FRICTION MATERIAL DETACHED FROM BACKING. ROTORS RUINED. NO METHOD FOR WARNING PROVIDED BY MERCURY AS DONE BY OTHER MANUFACTURERS.*AK
PREMATURE WEAR OF BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. DEALER HAS REPLACED PADS AND ROTORS.*AK
WHILE TRAVELING, SLOWED DOWN, AND WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE WOULD NOT GAIN SPEED. TECHNICIAN STATED THAT RIGHT CALIPER MALFUNCTIONED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURHTER INFORMATION. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEMS, RADIATOR LIGHT ON, THE AIR BAG LIGHT BLINKING, ENGINE MISFIRE LIGHT BLINKING, ALARM SYSTEM GOING OFF AND NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP IT, JUST HAVING TO LET TIME END THE SYSTEM, THE PROBLEM WITH THE SYSTEM IS INTERMITTENT AND THE DEALERSHIP IN NOT ABLE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. *CJ
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