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 21, 2000
Service Brakes, HydraulicVisibility
HAD TO CHANGE FRONT BRAKES 3 TIMES . NOW REAR BRAKES HAVE SAME PROBLEM AND DEALER REFUSES TO CHANGE CALLING THE PROBLEM ACCEPTABLE. SUNROOF ASSEMBLY FAILED 3 TIMES . WAS DRIVING FOR 3 MONTHS WITH PROBLEM BEFORE THE PART CAME IN. AFRAID THE SUNROOF WOULD FLY OFF THE CAR WHEN IN HIGH SPEED.HAD TO CHANGE INTIRIOR CLOTH 1 TIME BECAU…
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HAD TO CHANGE FRONT BRAKES 3 TIMES . NOW REAR BRAKES HAVE SAME PROBLEM AND DEALER REFUSES TO CHANGE CALLING THE PROBLEM ACCEPTABLE. SUNROOF ASSEMBLY FAILED 3 TIMES . WAS DRIVING FOR 3 MONTHS WITH PROBLEM BEFORE THE PART CAME IN. AFRAID THE SUNROOF WOULD FLY OFF THE CAR WHEN IN HIGH SPEED.HAD TO CHANGE INTIRIOR CLOTH 1 TIME BECAUSE IT HAD WATER STAINS. HAD TO CHANGE WEATHER GARD ON DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND IT IS STILL NOT DONE RIGHT.WINDOW HAS MARKS FROM IT WHEN I OPEN IT.
NHTSA ODI #732182
Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
MASTER CYLINDER WAS DEFECTIVE, CAUSING BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK FROM VEHICLE. THIS BRAKE CYLINDER WAS REPLACED, AND PROBLEM REOCCURRED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #870846
Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2000
Tires
AFTER REGULAR TIRE ROTATION AT 28,000 MILES, THE CAR STARTED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT (THE SIDE WHERE THE DEFECTIVE TIRES WERE ON), THE STEERING WAS JERKY AND AN AUDIBLE THRUMMING COULD BE HEARD. IT WAS NOTICEABLE AS SLOW AS 10 MPH AND GREW INCREASINGLY WORSE AS THE VEHICLE SPED UP. WHEN WE HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AT THREE DIFFE…
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AFTER REGULAR TIRE ROTATION AT 28,000 MILES, THE CAR STARTED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT (THE SIDE WHERE THE DEFECTIVE TIRES WERE ON), THE STEERING WAS JERKY AND AN AUDIBLE THRUMMING COULD BE HEARD. IT WAS NOTICEABLE AS SLOW AS 10 MPH AND GREW INCREASINGLY WORSE AS THE VEHICLE SPED UP. WHEN WE HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AT THREE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, THEY ALL CONCLUDED THAT TIRE SEPARATION WAS THE CAUSE AND WAS THE POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE CAR BEING OUT OF ALIGNMENT. WE CORRECTED THE ALIGNMENT AND PURCHASED FOUR NEW TIRES (YOKOHAMA) AND THE PROBLEMS ARE GONE.( DOT NUMBER: W2B0 TIRE SIZE: 215/50R16 )
POWER STEERING FAILS WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN AND PUDDLE IS DRIVEN THROUGH, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. BATTERY ALERT LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD.THIS DEFECT FIRST SURFACED IN JUNE OF 1999, AND WAS CALLED A "SERPENTINE BELT" FAILURE AND REPAIRED . THE PROBLEM HAS NOW RETURNED AND CAUSES A SERIOUS LOSS OF CONTROL OF AUTO.
NHTSA ODI #731721
Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2000
Suspension
WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS CONSUMER NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR OF VEHICLE WHICH CAUSES DRIVER DESTRUCTION. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #870648
Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING THE THROTTLE WILL STICK CAUSING THE ENGINE TO REV UP WHEN I PUSH IN THE CLUTCH, IT LASTS ANYWHERE FROM 5 TO 10 SECONDS AT A TIME. IT IS OFF AND ON, SOMEDAYS IT DOES IT, THEN OTHER DAYS IT'S FINE. I HAVE TAKIN IT TO THE DEALER TWICE BEFORE NOW, THE FIRST TIME THEY REPLACED THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE WHICH SEEMED TO …
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WHILE DRIVING THE THROTTLE WILL STICK CAUSING THE ENGINE TO REV UP WHEN I PUSH IN THE CLUTCH, IT LASTS ANYWHERE FROM 5 TO 10 SECONDS AT A TIME. IT IS OFF AND ON, SOMEDAYS IT DOES IT, THEN OTHER DAYS IT'S FINE. I HAVE TAKIN IT TO THE DEALER TWICE BEFORE NOW, THE FIRST TIME THEY REPLACED THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE WHICH SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM, THEN APPROX. 3 MONTHS LATER BEGAN TO DO IT AGAIN, SO THEY PUT A NEW THROTTLE BODY IN IT, THAT LASTED ABOUT 3 WEEKS AND NOW IM TAKING IT BACK AGAIN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #731101
Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control
CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT DISENGAGE WITH A TAP ON THE BRAKE - IT MUST BE FULLY DEPRESSED.
NHTSA ODI #730707
Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2000
Exterior Lighting
BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS SLIGHTLY DEPRESSED.
NHTSA ODI #730706
Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO "WEAR AND TEAR". DEALER RECOGNIZED PROBLEM AT 20OOO MILES.*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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