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 · Aug 9, 2000
Tires
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HIT A SMALL POTHOLE IN THE ROAD. TIRE SIDEWALL SPLITTED, LIKE SOMEONE HAD CUT THE TIRE. THIS HAPPENED A YEAR AGO TRAVELING ABOUT 50MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, AND A CHUNK OF THE TIRE SIDEWALL SIMPLY EXPLODED WITH NO CONTACT AT ALL. FIRESTONE FIREHAWK #GTA02, SIZE 215/50/16. DEALER…
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CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HIT A SMALL POTHOLE IN THE ROAD. TIRE SIDEWALL SPLITTED, LIKE SOMEONE HAD CUT THE TIRE. THIS HAPPENED A YEAR AGO TRAVELING ABOUT 50MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, AND A CHUNK OF THE TIRE SIDEWALL SIMPLY EXPLODED WITH NO CONTACT AT ALL. FIRESTONE FIREHAWK #GTA02, SIZE 215/50/16. DEALERSHIP AND FIRESTONE HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #867308
Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 40MPH & HAD BRAKE FAILURE. CONSUMER HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE & MOVE OFF OF EXPRESSWAY. DEALER DETERMINED THE ABS PUMP MODULE SPRUNG A LEAK & LOST OF ALL HYFRAULIC BRAKE FLUID. THE WARRANTY EXPIRED BECAUSE OF MILEAGE. ABS BOOSTER PUMP, MASTER CYLINDER AND OTHER COMPONENTS ALSO REPLACED. VEHICLE HA…
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CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 40MPH & HAD BRAKE FAILURE. CONSUMER HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE & MOVE OFF OF EXPRESSWAY. DEALER DETERMINED THE ABS PUMP MODULE SPRUNG A LEAK & LOST OF ALL HYFRAULIC BRAKE FLUID. THE WARRANTY EXPIRED BECAUSE OF MILEAGE. ABS BOOSTER PUMP, MASTER CYLINDER AND OTHER COMPONENTS ALSO REPLACED. VEHICLE HAD TO RETURN FOR REPAIRS WITHIN 24 HOURS OF PICKING UP VEHICLE AFTER INITIAL REPAIRS. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #866323
Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #726165
Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2000
Tires
ALL FOUR OF MY TIRES HAD THE BELTS SHOWING AT 17000 MILES. I HAVE PUT NEW ONES ON AND THEY ARE STARTING TO SHAKE JUST LIKE THE FIRST SET THAT WAS ON THE CAR. I HAVE HEARD OF OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE TIRES FOR THE COUGAR. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 215/50/16 )
NHTSA ODI #726079
Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2000
Power TrainCrashInjury
I WAS DRIVING DOWN AN INTERSTATE ROAD ON THE MORNING OF JULY 3RD 2000. A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF RAIN HAD FALLEN ON THE ROAD AND IT WAS STILL RAINING SLIGHTLY THE SECTION OF THE ROAD THAT I WAS ON WAS COMPLETELY STRAIGHT. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE DOING ABOUT 55MPH ON THE 65MPH ROAD WHEN I FELT THE CAR LURCH AND BEGIN TO TURN TOWARD…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN AN INTERSTATE ROAD ON THE MORNING OF JULY 3RD 2000. A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF RAIN HAD FALLEN ON THE ROAD AND IT WAS STILL RAINING SLIGHTLY THE SECTION OF THE ROAD THAT I WAS ON WAS COMPLETELY STRAIGHT. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE DOING ABOUT 55MPH ON THE 65MPH ROAD WHEN I FELT THE CAR LURCH AND BEGIN TO TURN TOWARD THE LEFT. I LOOKED DOWN AT MY INSTRUMENT PANEL AND NOTICED THAT MY TACHOMETER WAS ON ZERO AND MY WARNING LIGHTS WERE ALL ON. THE CAR STARTED TO SPIN COUNTERCLOCKWISE VERY QUICKLY AND CROSSED OVER THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC WHERE IT FINALLY CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. I WAS FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN THE CAR FINALLY SETTLED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #725466
Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2000
Unknown Or Other
THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WEATHER STRIP RIPES AT THE TOP REAR OF THE WINDOW, IT HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES ALREADY. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #725420
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2000
Steering
STEERING TIE ROD BROKE WHILE TURNING AT LOW SPEED. BOLT SHEARED OFF. WOULD OF BEEN MAJOR ACCIDENT IF AT HIGHER SPEED. LOST ALL STEERING CONTROL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #725248
Mileage unknown · Jul 5, 2000
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING ON A 4-LANE HIGHWAY, LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIT UP AND ENGINE DIED. THEN, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WITH NO BRAKES OR STEERING VEHICLE STARTED TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT A GUARDRAIL AT ABOUT 55MPH. CONSUMER SAID IT WAS A ENGINE PROBLEM. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #864749
Mileage unknown · Jul 4, 2000
Exterior Lighting
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CONTROLS RELEASE OF SHIFTER & WON'T RELEASE IF BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON. SHIFTER WOULD NOT RELEASE, LEFT ME STRANDED, HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, STILL WAITING FOR PART TO COME IN. NEEDS OVERRIDE BUTTON FOR DRIVER SAFETY!*AK
NHTSA ODI #724929
Mileage unknown · Jul 4, 2000
Steering
IN RAIN, IF YOU HIT A PUDDLE WATER SPLASHES, HITS THE BATTERY,& THE POWER STEERING DIES. DEALER SAYS MUST WAIT FOR MANUFACTURER TO SEND RECALL NOTICE. HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES, ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT TWICE! *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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