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
What owners actually said
454 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2001
Tires
THE VEHICLES REAR TIRE WAS FLAT, THE FRONT TIRE WAS GOING FLAT AND THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRES WERE ALL LOW, UPON CLOSER EXAMINATION THE SIDEWALLS ON ALL 4 TIRES HAD A SPLIT IN THE RUBBER THAT WAS PERFECTLY CIRCULAR AND ON THE FLATTEST TIRE THE RUBBER HAD SPLIT AND WAS GAPING OPEN. THE SEPARATION IS THIN AND SMOOTH-EDGED NOT TORN(F…
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THE VEHICLES REAR TIRE WAS FLAT, THE FRONT TIRE WAS GOING FLAT AND THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRES WERE ALL LOW, UPON CLOSER EXAMINATION THE SIDEWALLS ON ALL 4 TIRES HAD A SPLIT IN THE RUBBER THAT WAS PERFECTLY CIRCULAR AND ON THE FLATTEST TIRE THE RUBBER HAD SPLIT AND WAS GAPING OPEN. THE SEPARATION IS THIN AND SMOOTH-EDGED NOT TORN(FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA,P205/55R16). *SLC
NHTSA ODI #563078
Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2001
Electrical System
SOMETIMES VEHICLE WILL NOT START. AFTER VEHICLE IS STARTED, CONSUMER WILL TURN IT OFF TO SEE IF IT WILL START, AND IT WON'T. CONSUMER HAS CONTACED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #895744
Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2001
Electrical System
MY CAR WILL NOT START. AFTER I HAVE DRIVEN IT AND START IT B ACK UP IT WILL NOT START. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE JANUARY 2000. I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES AND THEY KEEP SAYING THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. I'VE FILED A SUIT WITH THE LEMON LAW BUT ITS TAKING TO LONG. PLEASE HELP ME. I CAN'T CUT THE CAR OFF…
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MY CAR WILL NOT START. AFTER I HAVE DRIVEN IT AND START IT B ACK UP IT WILL NOT START. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE JANUARY 2000. I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES AND THEY KEEP SAYING THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. I'VE FILED A SUIT WITH THE LEMON LAW BUT ITS TAKING TO LONG. PLEASE HELP ME. I CAN'T CUT THE CAR OFF WHEN I DROP MY KIDS OFF AT THE DAY CARE. I'M BEYOND FRUSTRATED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #751702
Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2001
Tires
ON ONE TIRE PRESSURE WAS LOW AND TREAD WAS SEPARATING. CONSUMER CHECKED RIGHT REAR TIRE ,AND THERE WAS TREAD SEPERATION AS WELL. FIRESTONE, FIREHAWK GTA-02, SIZE205/60R15 ON A 1999, MERCURY, COUGAR. *AKALL FOUR TIRES HAD SIDEWALL SEPARATION AT THE SAME TIME,THE VEHICLES REAR TIRE WAS FLAT, THE FRONT TIRE WAS GOING FLAT AND T…
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ON ONE TIRE PRESSURE WAS LOW AND TREAD WAS SEPARATING. CONSUMER CHECKED RIGHT REAR TIRE ,AND THERE WAS TREAD SEPERATION AS WELL. FIRESTONE, FIREHAWK GTA-02, SIZE205/60R15 ON A 1999, MERCURY, COUGAR. *AKALL FOUR TIRES HAD SIDEWALL SEPARATION AT THE SAME TIME,THE VEHICLES REAR TIRE WAS FLAT, THE FRONT TIRE WAS GOING FLAT AND THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRES WERE ALL LOW, UPON CLOSER EXAMINATION THE SIDEWALLS ON ALL 4 TIRES HAD A SPLIT IN THE RUBBER THAT WAS PERFECTLY CIRCULAR AND ON THE FLATTEST TIRE THE RUBBER HAD SPLIT AND WAS GAPING OPEN. THE SEPARATION IS THIN AND SMOOTH-EDGED NOT TORN(FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA,P205/55R16). NLM
NHTSA ODI #895567
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2001
Exterior LightingPower Train
BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING. ALSO, IT IS HARD TO GET VEHICLE IN AND OUT OF GEAR.*AK
NHTSA ODI #895172
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2001
Exterior LightingPower Train
THERE ARE NO BRAKE LIGHTS ,AND ITS HARD TO GET VEHICLE IN AND OUT OF GEAR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFOMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #895079
Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2001
Electrical System
THE VICTIMS PARENTS BELIEVE THAT RECALL 01V-031 OF THE MISROUTED BATTERY CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN THE RESULT OF THERE DAUGHTERS DEATH, THE RECALL WAS RECIEVED 1-MAR-01, 4 MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT OCCURED. NLM
NHTSA ODI #562503
Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2001
Suspension
VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL AT 70-75 MPH- DEALER CAN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM AND TIRES AND BALANCE ARE OK. *AK
NHTSA ODI #750221
Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2001
Power Train
INTERMITTENT ENGINE RACING TO 3000-3500 RPM, WHEN CLUTCH IS ENGAGED, WHICH LASTS FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS AND INTERMITTENT OVERDECELERATION (AS IF THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED) THAT RELEASES WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS TAPPED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #750220
Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF SUDDENLY ANDWITHOUT WARNING AS THOUGH SOMEONE SHUT KEY OFF, AND THEN EVERYTHING LOCKS UP/ LOSS OF POWER OCCURS, AND CANNOT EVEN SHIFT OUT OF GEAR. DEALER HAS REPLACED STARTER, BUT IT DID NOT FIX DEFECT.*AK
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
1999 Mercury Cougar Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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