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2000 Mercury Cougar

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

99 reports with mileage · 112 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 63 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports10 fire reports11 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

63 reports
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38,600 miles · Dec 6, 2019
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED AND MULTIPLE WARNING INDICATORS, INCLUDING THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR, ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS TO HAVE THE BATTERY REPLACED. AFTER MULTIPLE INCORRECT DIAGNOSTICS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BATTERY C…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED AND MULTIPLE WARNING INDICATORS, INCLUDING THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR, ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS TO HAVE THE BATTERY REPLACED. AFTER MULTIPLE INCORRECT DIAGNOSTICS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE ROUTING WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V031000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,600.

NHTSA ODI #11287532

Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 2014
Electrical System

LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN GRIFFITH ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE ELECTRICAL SAFETY ISSUES WITH 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE CONSTANTLY EXPERIENCED WIRING/ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10654389

63,127 miles · Apr 24, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 01V031000…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 01V031000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,127 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

NHTSA ODI #10584684

100,000 miles · Jul 19, 2013
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V031000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, SPEEDOMETER AND THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING BEGAN OPERATING SPORADICALLY AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVIC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V031000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, SPEEDOMETER AND THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING BEGAN OPERATING SPORADICALLY AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10525807

75,000 miles · Nov 28, 2011
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THERE WAS BURNING ODOR EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BATTE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THERE WAS BURNING ODOR EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WOULD HAVE REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A SECOND TIME AFTER THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO BE REPAIRED AGAIN. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V031000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY:CABLES), THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ODI #10437446

135,288 miles · Oct 11, 2011
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AS THE WHEEL LOCKED AND THE RADIO SHUT OFF, SIMILAR TO THE FAILURE LISTED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V031000 ( ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY:CABLES). THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITHOUT A …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AS THE WHEEL LOCKED AND THE RADIO SHUT OFF, SIMILAR TO THE FAILURE LISTED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V031000 ( ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY:CABLES). THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITHOUT A JUMP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 135,288.

NHTSA ODI #10429458

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT IS EFFECTING MY VEHICLE. I HAVE A V6 ENGINE, AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, RADIO, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND HEAD LIGHTS FLICKER WHEN I START UP MY CAR AND CONTINUE TO DO SO. I WENT ONLINE TO LOOK AT POSSIBLY RECALLS AND SAW THAT THERE WAS ONE DECRIBING THE EXACT ISSUE I HAVE. I CALLED THE FORD DEALERSH…

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THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT IS EFFECTING MY VEHICLE. I HAVE A V6 ENGINE, AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, RADIO, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND HEAD LIGHTS FLICKER WHEN I START UP MY CAR AND CONTINUE TO DO SO. I WENT ONLINE TO LOOK AT POSSIBLY RECALLS AND SAW THAT THERE WAS ONE DECRIBING THE EXACT ISSUE I HAVE. I CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN HUNTLEY, ILLINOIS AND TALKED TO A GUY IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, NAMED MIKE. HE TOLD ME THAT THE RECALL ONLY AFFECTED CERTAIN MERCURY COUGARS FROM CERTAIN PLANTS.... I AM ALSON HAVING ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR.

NHTSA ODI #10414297

98,000 miles · Jan 28, 2011
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND THE CONTACT RECEIVED A JUMP START BEFORE HE WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE REMAINED ON FOR A FEW MINUTES BEFORE STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND THE CONTACT RECEIVED A JUMP START BEFORE HE WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE REMAINED ON FOR A FEW MINUTES BEFORE STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BUT FOUND THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE INTERMITTENTLY DIMMING. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V031000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: BATTERY: CABLES). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AND THAT FUEL WAS NOT TRAVELING TO THE ENGINE CORRECTLY EVEN WITH A FULL TANK OF FUEL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER BOTH ADVISED THAT CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10379490

62,000 miles · Aug 4, 2010
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD LACK POWER. THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE REPLACED BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT LOCATED A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V031000- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: BATTERY: CABLES) BUT WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD LACK POWER. THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE REPLACED BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT LOCATED A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V031000- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: BATTERY: CABLES) BUT WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 62,000. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ UPDATED 2/17/2011 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10347259

92,788 miles · Jun 15, 2010
Electrical SystemEquipmentFuel System, GasolineFire

MY CAR STALLED WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION WHILE IN MOTION. LATER FIND OUT THAT I NEED A NEW FUEL PUMP. WAS NOT AWARE IT WAS UNDER RECALL. PAID TO HAVE IT FIXED IN JULY OF 2009. REPAIR SHOP FAILED TO PUT MY VIN, MILEAGE, AND CORRECT YEAR OF VEHICLE ON INVOICE RESULTING IN NOT BEING ABLE TO GET MY MONEY BACK FROM …

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MY CAR STALLED WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION WHILE IN MOTION. LATER FIND OUT THAT I NEED A NEW FUEL PUMP. WAS NOT AWARE IT WAS UNDER RECALL. PAID TO HAVE IT FIXED IN JULY OF 2009. REPAIR SHOP FAILED TO PUT MY VIN, MILEAGE, AND CORRECT YEAR OF VEHICLE ON INVOICE RESULTING IN NOT BEING ABLE TO GET MY MONEY BACK FROM FORD. RECALL WAS GOOD THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2010. MY CAR ONCE AGAIN STALLED WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT SPARKS AND SMALL FLAMES WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START AFTER STALLING. ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, AND FORD IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. I REPLACED THE BATTERY AND STILL NO CRANK OR CLICKING. ALSO LISTED AS A RECALL. SPEND $651.02 TO HAVE FUEL PUMP FIXED AND NOW CAN'T GET MY MONEY BACK BECAUSE REPAIR SHOP DID NOT FILL OUT INVOICE CORRECTLY. NOW WILL HAVE TO POSSIBLY PAY OVER A $1,000.00 TO FIX THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE... WHEN THE FUEL PUMP WAS FIXED, THE SHOP FAILED TO SECURE THE GAS TANK CORRECTLY CAUSING FUEL TO POUR OUT WHILE DRIVING AT A RATE OF A GALLON PER MINUTE. FORD IS NOW DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO AVOID PAYING ME BACK FOR THE RECALL SERVICES AFTER I WAS INFORMED BY A FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE REP THAT I WOULD BE PAID BACK. I HAVE BEEN BACK AND FORTH FOR WEEKS NOW TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD OVER AND OVER AGAIN WITH A NEW EXCUSE EVERYTIME AS TO WHY THEY CAN NOT REPAY ME... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10336479

Official recalls

3

04V421000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Aug 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.

01V031000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables

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.

00V075000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.