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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

211 reports
75,000 miles · Nov 16, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN HESITATING, STALLING, AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, IT CONTINUED TO HESITATE UNTIL FUEL WAS ADDED. THREE WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FAILURES, THE VEHICLE STALLED AFTER SHIFTING THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL. SH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN HESITATING, STALLING, AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, IT CONTINUED TO HESITATE UNTIL FUEL WAS ADDED. THREE WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FAILURES, THE VEHICLE STALLED AFTER SHIFTING THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL. SHE ENGAGED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM STALLING. THREE DAYS AGO, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. A DEALER HAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,300.

NHTSA ODI #10209465

118,000 miles · Oct 29, 2007
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND IT WAS JUMPED BY AAA. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THE CABLE THAT CONNECTED THE BATTERY TO THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V0310…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND IT WAS JUMPED BY AAA. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THE CABLE THAT CONNECTED THE BATTERY TO THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V031000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY:CABLES), EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WITHIN THE MANUFACTURE DATES. THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN APRIL OF 2000. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 118,000.

NHTSA ODI #10207298

65,000 miles · Sep 17, 2007
Electrical SystemFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE ALTERNATOR BATTERY CABLE. WHEN THE BATTERY SHORTS OUT, IT CATCHES FIRE AND ALSO SHORTS OUT THE ALTERNATOR. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CABLE CAUGHT FIRE, BUT IT EXTINGUISHED ON ITS OWN. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE ALTERNATOR BATTERY CABLE. WHEN THE BATTERY SHORTS OUT, IT CATCHES FIRE AND ALSO SHORTS OUT THE ALTERNATOR. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CABLE CAUGHT FIRE, BUT IT EXTINGUISHED ON ITS OWN. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE CONTACT PAID FOR THE REPAIR AND WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED. FORD REFUSES TO REIMBURSE HIM AND ADVISED HIM TO CALL NHTSA. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #10203257

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2007
Air BagsCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. IN 2006, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND WAS STRUCK BY SIX VEHICLES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN NUMEROUS CRASHES DUE TO DODGING ROAD DEBRIS, WHICH CAUSED HIS VEHICLE TO BE RE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. IN 2006, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND WAS STRUCK BY SIX VEHICLES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN NUMEROUS CRASHES DUE TO DODGING ROAD DEBRIS, WHICH CAUSED HIS VEHICLE TO BE REAR ENDED AND CRASH INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS HAVE NEVER DEPLOYED IN ANY OF HIS CRASHES. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE AND STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE DUE TO THE LACK OF SAFETY RISK. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10199512

110,000 miles · Aug 2, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED ON HER VEHICLE. FORD INFORMED HER THAT A RECALL REPAIR WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WENT TO THE CORPORATE FORD OFFICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIR HAD NOT BEEN PERFORMED. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE OCCASIO…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED ON HER VEHICLE. FORD INFORMED HER THAT A RECALL REPAIR WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WENT TO THE CORPORATE FORD OFFICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIR HAD NOT BEEN PERFORMED. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE OCCASIONALLY STALLED AND ONE OF THE STRUTS FAILED DURING A TEST DRIVE AT 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS EVENTUALLY TOWED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,125 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10198328

60,000 miles · Jul 23, 2007
Fuel System, Other

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING 25 OR 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SPEEDS UP, SLOWS DOWN, AND THEN SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE SHOP, WHERE THE FUEL PUMP AND DELIVERY MODULAR HAVE BEEN REPLACED FIVE TIMES. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE WIRING WAS NOT MAKING THE PROPER CONNECTION TO THE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING 25 OR 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SPEEDS UP, SLOWS DOWN, AND THEN SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE SHOP, WHERE THE FUEL PUMP AND DELIVERY MODULAR HAVE BEEN REPLACED FIVE TIMES. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE WIRING WAS NOT MAKING THE PROPER CONNECTION TO THE MODULAR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 84,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10197209

112,000 miles · Apr 4, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. THE VEHICLE CONTAIND A SAFETY RECALL ON THE FUEL SYSTEM. ON APRIL 3, 2007, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON A RAINY DAY, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHERE IT CURRENTLY REMAINED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE IN THE LAST FOUR MONTHS. THE MECHANIC STAT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. THE VEHICLE CONTAIND A SAFETY RECALL ON THE FUEL SYSTEM. ON APRIL 3, 2007, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON A RAINY DAY, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHERE IT CURRENTLY REMAINED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE IN THE LAST FOUR MONTHS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM COULD BE REPAIRED IF IT WAS PAID FOR BY THE CONTACT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 115,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10187004

70,000 miles · Mar 28, 2007
Visibility

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC TRACK AROUND THE INTERIOR OF THE SUN ROOF WAS DEFECTIVE. THE PLASTIC WHICH HELD THE SUNROOF IN PLACE BROKE, AND THERE WAS NO OTHER WAY TO HOLD THE SUN ROOF IN PLACE WITHOUT THIS FEATURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE…

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TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC TRACK AROUND THE INTERIOR OF THE SUN ROOF WAS DEFECTIVE. THE PLASTIC WHICH HELD THE SUNROOF IN PLACE BROKE, AND THERE WAS NO OTHER WAY TO HOLD THE SUN ROOF IN PLACE WITHOUT THIS FEATURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10186419

Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY 2000 MERCURY COUGAR ON SEPTEMBER 25 ,2006. WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE WENT THROUGH A STOP SIGN &THEY COLLIDED. SHE HIT HIM WITH HER FRONT END & THEN PROCEEDED TO SWERVE HEAD ON INTO A TELEPHONE POLE . SO THIS MAKES TWO FRONT END COLLISIONS & THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. IN FACT SHE HAD ANOTHER ACCIDENT IN …

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MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY 2000 MERCURY COUGAR ON SEPTEMBER 25 ,2006. WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE WENT THROUGH A STOP SIGN &THEY COLLIDED. SHE HIT HIM WITH HER FRONT END & THEN PROCEEDED TO SWERVE HEAD ON INTO A TELEPHONE POLE . SO THIS MAKES TWO FRONT END COLLISIONS & THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. IN FACT SHE HAD ANOTHER ACCIDENT IN SEPT 2003 WHERE A CAR WENT THROUGH A RED LIGHT AND HIT HER,BUT THAT WAS A SIDE IMPACT & AGAIN THIS AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. SO THIS HAS BEEN THREE INCIDENTS THAT THIS AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY & THIS PAST ONE ON MONDAY WAS FRONT END COLLISION & MY DAUGHTER HAS DAMAGE TO HER CHEST & RIB CAGE , WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF THE AIR BAGS WORKED PROPERLY! *NM

NHTSA ODI #10169626

65,000 miles · Sep 21, 2006
Electrical System

WENT OUT TO GO TO WORK ONE MORNING AND CAR WOULD NOT START, ALL SYSTEMS COMPLETELY DEAD, JUMPED CAR OFF NEXT DAY AND BARELY MADE IT TO GARAGE, REPLACED BATTERY 11/04, PROBLEMS EVER SINCE WITH BATTERY LIGHT CONSTANTLY FLASHING AS WELL AS ALL INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS FLASHING BRIGHT TO DIM DAY OR NIGHT, WAS TOLD 11/04 NEEDED A…

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WENT OUT TO GO TO WORK ONE MORNING AND CAR WOULD NOT START, ALL SYSTEMS COMPLETELY DEAD, JUMPED CAR OFF NEXT DAY AND BARELY MADE IT TO GARAGE, REPLACED BATTERY 11/04, PROBLEMS EVER SINCE WITH BATTERY LIGHT CONSTANTLY FLASHING AS WELL AS ALL INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS FLASHING BRIGHT TO DIM DAY OR NIGHT, WAS TOLD 11/04 NEEDED A NEW ALTERNATOR, STILL HAVE NOT GOTTEN A NEW ALTERNATOR AND DO NOT PLAN TO AT THIS POINT, RECEIVED THE RECALL ON BATTERY CABLE AND REROUTING AND HAD THAT DONE, IF THIS IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH V-6 2000 MERCURY COUGARS THE COMPANY SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY, IF DRIVING AT NIGHT AND CAR COMPLETELY STALLS, ALL LIGHTS AND CONTROLS ARE INOPERABLE WHICH WILL CAUSE ACCIDENT TO SELF AND/OR OTHERS, THIS IS A SCARY THOUGHT FOR A SINGLE FEMALE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND IN AREAS WHERE CELL PHONE DOESN'T ALWAYS HAVE A SIGNAL, FORD SHOULD FIX THIS BATTERY/ALTERNATOR PROBLEM ASAP BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT AND SUES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10168839

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.