NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
454 reports40,000 miles · Apr 28, 2006
Visibility
SUNROOF FAILED TO CLOSE AT 40K MILES AND IS STUCK OPEN. IT WILL COST ABOUT $2K TO FIX. IT RATTLES WHEN DRIVEN AND I AM AFRAID IT WILL FLY OFF ON THE FREEWAY. I AM CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY ISSUE NOT TO MENTION THAT ALL SORTS OF WEATHER CONDITIONS HAVE RUINED THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. I READ ABOUT THIS SITE ON A WEB SITE DEVOTE…
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SUNROOF FAILED TO CLOSE AT 40K MILES AND IS STUCK OPEN. IT WILL COST ABOUT $2K TO FIX. IT RATTLES WHEN DRIVEN AND I AM AFRAID IT WILL FLY OFF ON THE FREEWAY. I AM CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY ISSUE NOT TO MENTION THAT ALL SORTS OF WEATHER CONDITIONS HAVE RUINED THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. I READ ABOUT THIS SITE ON A WEB SITE DEVOTED TO BROKEN COUGAR SUNROOF'S ( WWW.COUGARSUNROOF.COM ) AND THERE ARE OVER 800 PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT ALREADY. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS BEFORE SOMEONE DOES GET HURT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10156394
Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2006
Visibility
THE SUNROOF BROKE, IS A COMMON AND KNOWN PROBLEM (WITH A WEBSITE DEDICATED WITH OVER A THOUSAND TESTIMONIALS). FORD REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING. ONLY OPTION IS $1700 REPAIR. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10156296
89,899 miles · Apr 25, 2006
StructureUnknown Or Other
MOONROOF ON A 99 COUGAR DOESN'T WORK. WASN'T MUCH OF A PROBLEM UNTIL THE ROOF FLEW UP AND CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD OF THE PERSON BEHIND ME. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10156086
32,000 miles · Apr 16, 2006
Visibility
WE BOUGHT OUR FIRST COUGAR IN 2001. IT IS A 1999. A MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT IT, THE SUNROOF BROKE AND FROZE IN THE UP POSITION. I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT WAS TOLD TO US COVERED THIS PART. WHEN TOOK IT IN TO GET LOOKED AT, IT DID NOT COVER IT AND THEY SAID THAT THE SUNROOF WOULD COST $2000 TO FIX. RAIN, SNOW, AND ANYTHING…
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WE BOUGHT OUR FIRST COUGAR IN 2001. IT IS A 1999. A MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT IT, THE SUNROOF BROKE AND FROZE IN THE UP POSITION. I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT WAS TOLD TO US COVERED THIS PART. WHEN TOOK IT IN TO GET LOOKED AT, IT DID NOT COVER IT AND THEY SAID THAT THE SUNROOF WOULD COST $2000 TO FIX. RAIN, SNOW, AND ANYTHING ELSE COMES INTO MY CAR NOW AND THE FABRIC IS NOW RUINED. IT IS UTTERLY RIDICULOUS THAT THIS MANUFACTURER MADE SUCH A FAULTY PRODUCT AND REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING TO HELP FIX IT. I HAVEN'T SEEN A COUGAR SINCE WITH A SUNROOF THAT IS NOT BROKEN. PLEASE RECALL THIS ITEM!!! *NM
NHTSA ODI #10155450
68,000 miles · Apr 14, 2006
Visibility
MY SUNROOF BROKE AND ALMOST FLEW OFF OF MY CAR!!!!!! *NM
NHTSA ODI #10155394
109,000 miles · Mar 15, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE ENGINE STALLS CAUSING ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH TO ILLUMINATE. ADDITIONALLY THE SPEEDOMETER, GAS GAUGE AND ODOMETER BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT BECAUSE IT WAS PURCHASED AS IS THEY WILL NOT INSPECT IT.
NHTSA ODI #10152767
55,000 miles · Mar 9, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE HESITATED, A LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V421000, REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
NHTSA ODI #10152261
Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
SINCE MOVING TO TEXAS IN 2001 I HAVE HAD REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. I HAVE SPENT IN EXCESS OF $5,000 TRYING TO GET THIS FIXED. I JUST PICKED UP MY CAR AGAIN TODAY AFTER SPENDING ANOTHER $700+ TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. I ONLY WENT APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES WHEN THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I AM TRYING TO…
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SINCE MOVING TO TEXAS IN 2001 I HAVE HAD REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. I HAVE SPENT IN EXCESS OF $5,000 TRYING TO GET THIS FIXED. I JUST PICKED UP MY CAR AGAIN TODAY AFTER SPENDING ANOTHER $700+ TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. I ONLY WENT APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES WHEN THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I FEEL THIS IS A RECALL ITEM AND WOULD LIKE SOMETHING DONE CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT WAS A WEATHER ISSUE, ETC. IT SEEMS NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. HELP!!!! *NM
NHTSA ODI #10151336
49,450 miles · Feb 26, 2006
Visibility
(1) SUN ROOF WAS CLOSED FOR ABOUT 1 MONTH PRIOR TO EVENT. (2) SUN ROOF BEGAN TO OPEN AND STOPPED, REMAINING IN A PARTIALLY OPEN POSITION. (3) FAILURE IS NOT CORRECTED. PARTS AND LABOUR WILL RUN $1500. SAFETY CONCERN IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, SUN ROOF IN A PARTIALLY OPEN POSITION MAY CAUSE ADDITIONAL INJURIES TO PASSENGERS. AD…
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(1) SUN ROOF WAS CLOSED FOR ABOUT 1 MONTH PRIOR TO EVENT. (2) SUN ROOF BEGAN TO OPEN AND STOPPED, REMAINING IN A PARTIALLY OPEN POSITION. (3) FAILURE IS NOT CORRECTED. PARTS AND LABOUR WILL RUN $1500. SAFETY CONCERN IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, SUN ROOF IN A PARTIALLY OPEN POSITION MAY CAUSE ADDITIONAL INJURIES TO PASSENGERS. ADDITIONALLY, CONCERN ABOUT SUN ROOF REMAINING INTACT IN THE OPEN POSITION FOR EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME DURING INTERSTATE DRIVING. POSSIBILITY THAT SUN ROOF MAY DISLODGE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10151231
86,000 miles · Feb 24, 2006
Power Train
THE CAR WAS DRIVING FINE. I GOT IN IT, STARTED IT, AND PUT IT IN REVERSE, AND IT DIDN'T GO. I PUT IT BACK IN PARK, THEN IN DRIVE, AND I COULDN'T GO FORWARD BECAUSE OF THE CURB. SO I PUT IT IN REVERSE AGAIN, EVENTUALLY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL BACK OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT, BUT IT WENT BACK HARD, AND I COULD HAVE HIT ANOTHER CAR IF O…
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THE CAR WAS DRIVING FINE. I GOT IN IT, STARTED IT, AND PUT IT IN REVERSE, AND IT DIDN'T GO. I PUT IT BACK IN PARK, THEN IN DRIVE, AND I COULDN'T GO FORWARD BECAUSE OF THE CURB. SO I PUT IT IN REVERSE AGAIN, EVENTUALLY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL BACK OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT, BUT IT WENT BACK HARD, AND I COULD HAVE HIT ANOTHER CAR IF ONE WAS IN THE SPACE BEHIND ME, AND WHEN I DID, IT WAS VERY STUTTERED MOVEMENT. WHEN I P WENT FORWARD (DRIVE), IT HAD A RUBBING SOUND, LIKE SOMETHING WAS RUBBING ON SOMETHING. WE HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING TO THIS CAR BECAUSE WE HAVE NO MONEY TO EVEN TOW IT. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR 5 MONTHS AGO. IT HAS RUN VERY WELL UNTIL THIS DAY. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10151083
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 ↗
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