ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. AT FIRST IT STARTS IN RAINY OR COLD WEATHER. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND STATED DIAGNOSICS SHOWED OXYGEN SENSOR WAS THE PROBLEM, PART HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED YET. *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
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.
What owners actually said
454 reportsBATTERY WILL DRAIN INTERMITTENTLY IN A FEW HOURS OR OVERNIGHT. THIS HAPPENS FROM 1-7 TIMES A MONTH. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE AND FOUND NO PROBLEM. *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
ON WET ROAD CONDITIONS POWER STEERING WILL LOCK UP INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, IT WAS DETERMINED THIS WAS NORMAL OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR THIS VEHICLE.*AK
I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN 4 DIFFERENT TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE CAR BOAGS DOWN AND STALLS WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO STALL IN TRAFFIC SEVERAL TIMES. THE PROBLEM HAS STILL NOT BEEN FIXED IN THE 4 TIMES I'VE TAKEN IT IN. NOT TO MENTION ALL THE OTHER SMALL THINGS.CONSTANT RATTLE IN THE DASH AND WINDOWS, BATTER…
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I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN 4 DIFFERENT TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE CAR BOAGS DOWN AND STALLS WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO STALL IN TRAFFIC SEVERAL TIMES. THE PROBLEM HAS STILL NOT BEEN FIXED IN THE 4 TIMES I'VE TAKEN IT IN. NOT TO MENTION ALL THE OTHER SMALL THINGS.CONSTANT RATTLE IN THE DASH AND WINDOWS, BATTERY LIGHT STUCK ON, TRUNK WILL NOT UNLATCH, AND THE DASH LIGHTS WILL SURGE EVEN AFTER I'VE HAD THE DASH REPLACED. I AM VERY UPSET WITH THIS CAR AND EVEN MORE WITH THE LACK OF SERVICE BEING PROVIDED BY THE DEALERSHIP!
THE FIRST TIME THE WHEEL CRACKED WHILE EXITING INTERSTATE AND RUNNING OVER A SMALL POTHOLE. THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING MY DAUGHTER DID. THE SECOND TIME A FEW MONTHS LATER, ANOTHER ONE CRACKED IN THE SAME LOCATION ON THE WHEEL AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO BLOW OUT. CHECKED WITH THE DEALER WHO REFUSED TO TAKE ANY ACTION OR EVEN INVESTI…
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THE FIRST TIME THE WHEEL CRACKED WHILE EXITING INTERSTATE AND RUNNING OVER A SMALL POTHOLE. THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING MY DAUGHTER DID. THE SECOND TIME A FEW MONTHS LATER, ANOTHER ONE CRACKED IN THE SAME LOCATION ON THE WHEEL AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO BLOW OUT. CHECKED WITH THE DEALER WHO REFUSED TO TAKE ANY ACTION OR EVEN INVESTIGATE ANY CHANCE OF MALFUNCTION OF WHEELS. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER WHEN HAVING THE CAR SERVICED, WAS TOLD THE OTHER 2 WHEELS WERE BENT CAUSING THE CAR TO VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING AT 55 TO 60 MPH.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATES. DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATES, THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT, THEN THE VEHICLE STALLS IT WILL NOT CUT BACK ON, DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND THE ALTERNATOR, HOWEVER VEHICLE …
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WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATES. DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATES, THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT, THEN THE VEHICLE STALLS IT WILL NOT CUT BACK ON, DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND THE ALTERNATOR, HOWEVER VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL, A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR HAD BURNED AND NEEDED REPLACING AGAIN, ALTERNATOR CONTINUES TO BURN AND NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHY. *SLC
WHEN MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN, THE CONTENTS MY CUP IN THE CUP HOLDER (USUALLY HOT TEA) SPILLS INTO MY DRIVER'S SEAT WHEN MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN. 30-35 MI P/HR IS THE MINIMUM SPEED THAT I'VE NOTICED. THIS DISTRACTION CAUSES ME TO TAKE MY EYES OFF THE ROAD TO STRAIGHTEN THE CUP TO STOP THE SPILLAGE. AT TIMES I'VE FOUND MYSELF…
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WHEN MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN, THE CONTENTS MY CUP IN THE CUP HOLDER (USUALLY HOT TEA) SPILLS INTO MY DRIVER'S SEAT WHEN MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN. 30-35 MI P/HR IS THE MINIMUM SPEED THAT I'VE NOTICED. THIS DISTRACTION CAUSES ME TO TAKE MY EYES OFF THE ROAD TO STRAIGHTEN THE CUP TO STOP THE SPILLAGE. AT TIMES I'VE FOUND MYSELF SWERVING A BIT IN THE TURN BECAUSE OF THE "INITIAL SHOCK" OF FEELING MY HOT BEVERAGE ON MY THIGH.*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).
ENGINE> VEHICLE HAS BEEN HESITATING SINCE 10/01. VEHICLE BROUGHT IN FOR REGULAR CHECK AND DESCRIPTION OF HESITATION/BUCKING ESP. ON HIGHWAY PROVIDED TO SERVICE REP. VEHICLE SERVICED HESITATION PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AS IGNITION WIRES IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. IGNITION WIRES REPLACED, LUBE, OIL, FILTER, AND FLUIDS TOPPED. ALSO …
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ENGINE> VEHICLE HAS BEEN HESITATING SINCE 10/01. VEHICLE BROUGHT IN FOR REGULAR CHECK AND DESCRIPTION OF HESITATION/BUCKING ESP. ON HIGHWAY PROVIDED TO SERVICE REP. VEHICLE SERVICED HESITATION PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AS IGNITION WIRES IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. IGNITION WIRES REPLACED, LUBE, OIL, FILTER, AND FLUIDS TOPPED. ALSO TOLD ALL FOUR TIRES WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. DECLINED TIRE REPLACEMENT AT THIS TIME. TOTAL COST FOR SERVICE WITH TAX &LABOR=$346.70 VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RUN THE SAME WAY. ALSO COOLANT AND AIRBAG ICONS CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. SCHEDULED FOR SERVICING AGAIN ON 12/5/01. DIAGNOSIS AIRBAG CENSOR IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT (STILL UNDER WARRANTY ) AND IN NEED OF A NEW COLLANT EXPANSION CONTAINER (APPROX. COST $200.) CAR IN ON 12/31/01 ,AIRBAG SENSOR REPLACED AND CAR CHECKED AGAIN FOR CAUSE OF HESITATION. RESPONSE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE CUSTOMER'S CONCERN. HESITATION CONTINUED AND ON 1/05/02 WHILE RETURNING HOME ON SECONDARY ROAD, CHECK OIL LIGHT ICON CAME ON. DEALERSHIP NEARBY SO ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO DRIVE CAR THERE . VEHICLE DIED, NO POWER STEERING. LARGE PUDDLE OF OIL UNDER VEHICLE. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TOWED VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSIS> ENGINE GONE AND IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. IMPLODED FROM WITHIN
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