NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
454 reports112,554 miles · Mar 10, 2007
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I FILED A COMPLAINT, I HAVE HEARD NOTHING BACK ! I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM ITS BUMPING THE GAS PEDAL UP AND DOWN WHEN TRYING TO STOP WHICH IN TURN CAUSED ME TO BE IN A CAR CRASH IN DECEMBER 2006 IN CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO. THERE IS A RECALL AND IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED ASAP~! I ALSO FEEL…
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THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I FILED A COMPLAINT, I HAVE HEARD NOTHING BACK ! I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM ITS BUMPING THE GAS PEDAL UP AND DOWN WHEN TRYING TO STOP WHICH IN TURN CAUSED ME TO BE IN A CAR CRASH IN DECEMBER 2006 IN CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO. THERE IS A RECALL AND IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED ASAP~! I ALSO FEEL THAT SOMEONE SHOULD CONTACT MY HOME PHONE LISTED ON CONTACT FORM AND LET ME KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THIS MESS~! YOU CAN DRIVE THE DUMB CAR AND SEE WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT FOR ALL I CARE, JUST PLEASE CONTACT ME EITHER BY PHONE OR BY EMAIL AT LEAST . THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10184695
74,000 miles · Feb 14, 2007
Fuel System, GasolineInjury
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE @ 30 MPH THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLED OUT AND I ALMOST CAUSE A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT STEER NOR BRAKE. FORD HAS A RECALL ON THE 1999 MERCURY COUGAR REPLACEMENT PROGRAM 04N02 BUT FORD SAYS MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS PROGRAM. PLEASE HELP. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10182560
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2007
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
I BOUGHT A 199 FORD MERCURY COUGAR AND WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON DEC. 8TH, 2006 WHEN I TRIED TO APPLY BRAKES THEY STARTED MOVING ON THEIR OWN AND THE MOVEMENT WAS BRAKING UP AND DOWN I WAS UNABLE TO STOP AND WRECKED AND I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FROM A CAR LOT. THIS CAR CONSTANTLY WHEN COLD DOES THIS AND IT ALSO SQUEAKS LIKE THERE IS T…
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I BOUGHT A 199 FORD MERCURY COUGAR AND WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON DEC. 8TH, 2006 WHEN I TRIED TO APPLY BRAKES THEY STARTED MOVING ON THEIR OWN AND THE MOVEMENT WAS BRAKING UP AND DOWN I WAS UNABLE TO STOP AND WRECKED AND I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FROM A CAR LOT. THIS CAR CONSTANTLY WHEN COLD DOES THIS AND IT ALSO SQUEAKS LIKE THERE IS TOO MUCH PRESSURE ON THE WHOLE CAR, THE BRAKES ARE STILL HAVING THAT SHUTTERING PROBLEM. CAN THIS BE FIXED?-I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AT THE END OF LAST YEAR... IT HAS SINCE DONE THE SAME THINGS WITH THE BRAKING AGAIN AND IT SCARES ME BUT IT ONLY DOES IT WHEN IT IS COLD OUT ... *NM UPDATED
NHTSA ODI #10181377
69,000 miles · Jan 28, 2007
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
I ALSO OWN A 99 COUGAR AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT ISSUES, BUT I LOVE THE WAY THE CAR DRIVES WHEN IT WORKS CORRECTLY. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND IT'S ALSO ON ITS 5TH WINDOW MOTOR, WHICH STILL DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY. I HAVE REPLACED ALMOST EVERY SENSOR POSSIBLE, TOO. OF COURSE WHEN I HAVE QUESTIONED MERCURY ON THESE…
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I ALSO OWN A 99 COUGAR AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT ISSUES, BUT I LOVE THE WAY THE CAR DRIVES WHEN IT WORKS CORRECTLY. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND IT'S ALSO ON ITS 5TH WINDOW MOTOR, WHICH STILL DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY. I HAVE REPLACED ALMOST EVERY SENSOR POSSIBLE, TOO. OF COURSE WHEN I HAVE QUESTIONED MERCURY ON THESE ISSUES, THEY CLAIM THAT IT'S NOT A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE COUGARS. I HAVE HEARD FROM OTHERS ON THE TIRE ISSUES, BUT LUCKILY MINE HAS NOT HAD ANY ISSUES WITH TIRES. THE NEWEST ISSUE WITH MINE IS THE HEADLAMPS. I WAS IN SOME HEAVY RAIN WATER IN THE BEGINNING OF OCT. 2006 AND THEY LEAKED AND HAD PUDDLES INSIDE OF THEM. I TOOK IT TO BE SERVICED BY MERCURY AND I HAVE NOT HAD MY CAR BACK FOR 3.5 MONTHS! IN TALKING WITH FORD I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THEY HAVE NOT MADE ANY HEADLAMPS FOR THE 99 COUGAR SINCE JAN. 2006 AND THEY ARE ON A NATION WIDE BACKORDER. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, I AM HOPING THAT FORD WILL MAKE THINGS RIGHT FOR NOT STOCKING HEADLAMPS AND PUTTING ME WITHOUT A CAR FOR THE PAST 3.5 MONTHS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10180942
Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2007
Visibility
SUNROOF BROKE LOOSE. IS STUCK NOW BUT COULD POTENTIALLY RELEASE FROM VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE AFFECTING MANY MANY VEHICLES. REFER TO WWW.COUGARSUNROOF.COM. LIST OF OVER 1000 COMPLAINTS THERE. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS GETS SOMEONE KILLED. I HAVE A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN FIRE PROTECTION AND S…
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SUNROOF BROKE LOOSE. IS STUCK NOW BUT COULD POTENTIALLY RELEASE FROM VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE AFFECTING MANY MANY VEHICLES. REFER TO WWW.COUGARSUNROOF.COM. LIST OF OVER 1000 COMPLAINTS THERE. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS GETS SOMEONE KILLED. I HAVE A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN FIRE PROTECTION AND SAFETY ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY FROM OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY'S WORLD RENOWNED PROGRAM AND THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10179246
85,000 miles · Oct 12, 2006
Exterior LightingPower Train
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE AT ALL, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO NEARLY GET REAR-ENDED WHILE BRAKING FROM TRAVELING 70 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED REPLACEMENT DUE TO A SHORT CIRCUIT. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL #01V032000 PER…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE AT ALL, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO NEARLY GET REAR-ENDED WHILE BRAKING FROM TRAVELING 70 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED REPLACEMENT DUE TO A SHORT CIRCUIT. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL #01V032000 PERTAINING TO THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. SECONDLY, THE ENGINE HESITATED WHILE WARMING UP, ACCOMPANIED BY A ROUGH IDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A MECHANIC.
NHTSA ODI #10170664
70,000 miles · Aug 30, 2006
Seats
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WOULD NOT LOCK INTO PLACE AND MOVED AROUND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A SERVICE DEALER.
NHTSA ODI #10167108
126,000 miles · Aug 15, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON DRY CITY STREETS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND.
NHTSA ODI #10165531
90,000 miles · Aug 5, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingSeatsCrashInjury
1999 MERCURY COUGAR SEAT BACK FAILURE DURING REAR-END COLLISION. COUGAR STALLED ON BUSY FREEWAY ENDING IN REAR TOTALED CAR COLLISION. THE DRIVER'S SEAT WENT COMPLETELY DOWN AND UPON SEATS IN THE BACKSEAT. THIS WAS TWO DEFECTS. INJURIES WERE NECK AND BACK PAINS, THREE BUMPS TO THE HEAD RESULTING IN TWO BLACK EYES. MY ADVICE…
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1999 MERCURY COUGAR SEAT BACK FAILURE DURING REAR-END COLLISION. COUGAR STALLED ON BUSY FREEWAY ENDING IN REAR TOTALED CAR COLLISION. THE DRIVER'S SEAT WENT COMPLETELY DOWN AND UPON SEATS IN THE BACKSEAT. THIS WAS TWO DEFECTS. INJURIES WERE NECK AND BACK PAINS, THREE BUMPS TO THE HEAD RESULTING IN TWO BLACK EYES. MY ADVICE TO ALL 1999 COUGAR OWNERS-GET RID OF THE CAR, BY WAY OF JUNKYARD-THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS VEHICLE AND ONE WILL NOT KNOW UNTIL AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10164588
82,000 miles · Jul 28, 2006
Power Train
FIRST TRANSMISSION FAILED ON THE HIGHWAY AT 32,000 MILES AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY SECOND TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 82,000. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10163849
Official recalls
7Aug 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗