1999 Mercury Cougar Owner Complaints

YES, I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN JULY OF 2017. WHEN I TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, EVERYTHING SEEMED PERFECTLY FINE. YET, THE DAY I RECEIVED IT, I WENT TO THE GAS STATION TO FILL UP. UPON RETURNING HOME, 1 MILE., THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS TOLD BY THE SELLER ALL WAS PERFECTLY FINE. DRIVE THE CAR, IT WILL BE FINE. I WAS CONCERNED AND I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC. AFTER RUNNING SOME DIAGNOSTIC TESTS, I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A CATALYIC CONVERTER, REPAIRS OVER $1500.00. I WAS READING THE RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE AND CAME ACROSS CAMPAIGN ID# NHTSA 04V421000. THE RECALL WAS FOR CONTAMINATION OF THE FILTER I THE FUEL DELIVERY MODE(FDM) CAN REDUCE AND EVENTUALLY BLOCK, THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE. IN WHICH, CAN CAUSE MANY PROBLEMS. I HAVE THOSE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. UPON STARTING, IT REVIVES UP, THEN EVENTUALLY SLOWS DOWN AND ALMOST KILLS. IT SOUNDS AS IF NO GAS IS GETTING TO THE ENGINE. LOSS OF POWER, STALLING. MY QUESTION IS HOW I COULD FIND OUT IF THIS RECALL WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE. WHERE DO I START. I REALIZE ITS BEEN MORE THAN 10YEARS FROM THE PURCHASE OF IT NEW, AND I DIDN'T PURCHASE NEW, BUT IF THE RECALL WASN'T DONE...MAY I BE ENTITLED? THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 68,000 MILES ON THE ENGINE. IS THIS THE PROBLEM AND HAS IT NOW EFFECTED THE CATALYIC CONVERTER? THANKS GREATLY FOR YOUR PRECIOUS TIME. A REPLY WOULD GREATLY BE APPRECIATED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

NHTSA ID

11054177

Incident

Jul 15, 2017

Mileage

680,000 mi

I GOT IN MY CAR ONE DAY AFTER WORK IN THE PARKING LOT AND STARTED MY CAR AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. IT STAYED ON FOR THREE DAYS AND IS NO LONGER ON. IT SEEMS LIKE NO ONE WANTS TO TAKE ACCOUNT OR PROVIDE SOLUTIONS FOR THE PROBLEM. EVERYTIME I ROLL UP MY WINDOWS, MY LIGHTS DIM AS IF THE BATTERY IS DYING. MY WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL DOESN'T SHUT OFF AND IM NOT ABLE TO CHANGE THE SPEED.

NHTSA ID

10947691

Incident

Jun 12, 2016

TRANSMISSION HAVING PROBLEMS GOING INTO GEAR CONSTANTLY SLIPPING AND CATCHING GEARS WHEN TRYING TO DRIVE ONLY GETS UP TO 30 MPH

NHTSA ID

10927776

Incident

Nov 20, 2016

Mileage

150,000 mi

CALIPERS CONSTANTLY FALLS OFF CAUSING WHEEL TO LOCK UP

NHTSA ID

10894211

Incident

Jan 15, 2015

Mileage

120,000 mi

I HAVE PROBLEM WITH TRANSMMITION SHIFTING 1ST TO SECOND CHANGES AT 3000RPM BUT WHEN I CHANGE PARK TO DRIVE SHAKES MOTOR BAD , ONE OF THE WIRES START SMOKING I LIKE I PUT TAPE AROUND WIRED BURND. TEMPERATURE IT DOESN'T SHOW BUT WHEN I OPEN THE HOOD THE CAR IS VERY HOT EVERY TIME I TRIED DRIVING IT AT FREEWAY OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTS BLINKING I LIKE I PAID TO GET IT FIX AND STILL DOES THE SAME.

NHTSA ID

10877025

Incident

Apr 5, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH APPROACHING A STOP, THE VEHICLE IDLED AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE HEATER WAS ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO TURN BACK ON AND BE ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ID

10871134

Incident

May 1, 2016

Mileage

98,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE FAILED AFTER THE CONTACT DROVE FOR A COUPLE OF MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR AND FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V031000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) OR 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ID

10811201

Incident

Nov 18, 2015

Mileage

115,000 mi

1999 COUGAR BATTERY CONNECTION PROBLEMS OR SOMETHING FAULTY. SOMETIMES WHILE I'M DRIVING MY CAR JUST GOES DEAD. IT'S DONE THAT A LOT LATELY. I NOW HAVE A NEW BATTERY BUT THE SAME THING HAPPENS AND I'M SCARED WHEN IT HAPPENS ON THE FREEWAY . TONIGHT I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND IT WENT DEAD! I HAD NO LIGHTS , I HAD NO TAIL LIGHTS,NO HEAD LIGHTS ,NO BLINKERS AND NO EMERGENCY LIGHTS AND THE CAR CLOSE BEHIND ME HAD TO SLAM ON BREAKS CAUSE THERE WAS NO EMERGENCY LANE, NO SIDE OF THE ROAD JUST A GUARD RAIL! I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD . BRAND NEW BATTERY JUST GOES DEAD LIKE IT DID MANY TIMES ON THE OLDER BATTERY IT'S NOT THE ALTERNATOR EITHER...SOMETHING IS NOT MAKING A CONNECTION. I'M GONNA END UP SQUASHED, DEAD CAUSE ON A FREEWAY AT NIGHT WHEN THE CAR DIES EVERYTHING DIES: LIGHTS,TAIL LIGHTS AND EMERGENCY LIGHTS IF IM IN THE DARK NO ONE WOULD SEE ME IN TIME TO STOP IF IM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.

NHTSA ID

10795276

Incident

Nov 20, 2015

Mileage

191,487 mi

I HAVE ALWAYS HAD MY CAR WASHED AND RUST PROOFED DURING THE WINTER EVER 2 WEEKS. LAST DECEMBER THE PAINT UNDER THE BOTTOM OF BOTH THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGER DOORS STARTED HAVING THE PAINT BUBBLE UP ON BOTH ROCKER PANELS. IT STARTED BUBBLING UP THEN CURLING AND THE PAIN STARTED COMING OFF. IVE SEEN MANY OTHER COUGARS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM AND FEEL IT IS DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE PAINT THAT WAS USED OR SOMETHING MISSING FROM THE PAINT JOB THAT WAS DONE

NHTSA ID

10724832

Incident

Dec 11, 2014

Mileage

175,000 mi

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: (MANAGEMENT) I WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AND WAS HONKED AT BY ANOTHER DRIVER WHO TOLD ME THAT MY BRAKES LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. I HAD A FRIEND OF MINE THAT IS A CERTIFIED REPAIR PERSON LOOK AT IT AND HE SAID IT WASN'T THE LIGHT OR THE FUSE OR THE BRAKE SWITCH UNDER THE PEDAL AND THAT HE WAS 95% SURE IT WAS THE STOP LAMP EXTENSION HARNESS THAT HAS BRONZE TERMINALS AT THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH CONNECTOR. I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 2004 AND UNDER A RECALL HAD THE BLOWER SWITCH RESISTOR REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE REASON THE RECALLS FOR THIS CAR ARE NOT SHOWING UP IS BECAUSE THE RECALLS ARE MORE THAN 15 YEARS OLD & THEY DON'T KEEP TRACK AFTER THAT. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR BEFORE BUT I HAVE HAD OVER $9,000 WORTH OF REPAIRS ON IT SINCE I'VE OWNED IT NOT INCLUDING THE NORMAL OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UP. I THINK FORD NEEDS TO APPROVE THIS FOR THE RECALL CONSIDERING THEY KNEW HOW MANY THINGS WERE WRONG WITH THE COUGARS AND THAT'S WHY THEY DON'T MAKE THEM ANYMORE... NOT A SATISFIED CUSTOMER WITH A FORD PRODUCT! FIRST & LAST FORD PRODUCT I WILL EVER OWN IF THIS ISN'T FIXED TO MY SATISFACTION. THANK-YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10724828

Incident

Apr 16, 2015

Mileage

175,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. A FAILURE CODE WAS DISPLAYED THAT IDENTIFIED THE ALTERNATOR AS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE ALTERNATOR WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V031000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

NHTSA ID

10621924

Incident

Aug 11, 2014

Mileage

34,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

NHTSA ID

10594796

Incident

Mar 25, 2014

Mileage

97,000 mi

EXTERIOR LIGHTS NOT WORKING ,REPLACED BRAND NEW AND SHUT OFF AGAIN CAUSING CAR TO LOCK ITSELF IN PARK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10572630

Incident

Mar 14, 2014

I HAVE ONLY OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS AND HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS INCLUDING BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING AND BACK WHEEL LOCKING UP. IT WAS RAINING, I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY ABOUT 55 MPH AND SUDDENLY THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY, THE HEAT/DEFROST STOPPED WORKING AND MY BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. I JUST INSTALLED A BRAND NEW BATTERY JUST 6 DAYS BEFORE INCIDENT, ALTHOUGH THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE RAINING. THIS TIME IT WAS EXTREMELY SCARY DUE TO THE HIGH SPEED I WAS DRIVING AND BECAUSE THE HEAT STOPPED WORKING MY WINDOWS STARTED TO FOG UP QUICKLY CAUSING MY VISIBILITY TO BE REDUCED DRAMATICALLY WHILE TRYING TO USE ALL MY STRENGTH TO STEER THE CAR AROUND A CURVE WITHOUT HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS SOON AS I WAS ABLE TO SEE AN EXIT I GOT OFF FREEWAY AND CAR DIED COMPLETELY DRIVING UP THE OFF RAMP. THANK GOD THERE WASN'T ANY VEHICLES BEHIND ME I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AFTER WAITING ABOUT HALF HOUR CAR STARTED BACK UP, POWER STEERING & HEAT WAS BACK ON. I HAVE 2 YOUNG KIDS AND I'M SCARED TO DRIVE IN THIS CAR WITH THEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10560074

Incident

Jan 12, 2014

Mileage

116,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY RECALLS SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V032000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING ). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

NHTSA ID

10550854

Incident

Oct 21, 2013

Mileage

112,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT INSPECTED UNDER THE HOOD AND TIGHTENED THE BATTERY CABLE. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED UPON REACHING THE RESIDENCE. IN ADDITION, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WITH A SMALL AMOUNT OF LEAKAGE ON THE GROUND. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 04V421000 ( FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND 01V031000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN EITHER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

NHTSA ID

10542585

Incident

Jul 10, 2013

Mileage

117,000 mi

CPSC: I1370321A. 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER SIDE DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. *LN

NHTSA ID

10535614

Incident

Jul 12, 2013

ON MY DRIVE HOME FROM WORK ON FRIDAY 7/12/2013 AT APPROXIMATELY 3:30 PM THE AIRBAG ON THE DRIVER SIDE DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THIS WAS ON A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR THAT MY FAMILY PURCHASED NEW. THE VIN IS [XXX]. I CALLED AND SPOKE WITH [XXX] AT FORD AND HE STATED THERE WAS NOTHING FORD COULD DO. HE SUGGESTED I CALL MY INSURANCE COMPANY...I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY MY INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD BE CONCERNED WITH A FLAW IN A FORD PRODUCT. I HOPE YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THAT I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR AT THIS POINT. WILL ONE OF THREE REMAINING AIR BAGS DEPLOY FOR NO APPARENT REASON? TO BE TOLD TO CONTACT MY INSURANCE COMPANY IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. I AM A VERY REASONABLE PERSON BUT WILL NOT BE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF. MY EXPECTATION ARE SIMPLE: FORD NEEDS TO HAVE THIS CAR TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THE ENTIRE AIR BAG SYSTEMS NEEDS TO BE CHECKED AND BROUGHT UP TO A SAFE STANDARD. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10525647

Incident

Jul 12, 2013

Mileage

145,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SWAY BAR BECAME FRACTURED WHILE DRIVING OVER A ROAD BUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ENTIRE SUB FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,434. *TR

NHTSA ID

10521092

Incident

May 24, 2013

Mileage

68,434 mi

WHEN DRIVEN IT JERKS WHEN U TAKE OFF AND WHEN IT SHIFTS, AND IT MAKES A CLUNK NOISE WHEN I HIM HIT A BUMP IT IS SO BAD MY CAR GOES THE OTHER WAY THE REAR END. *TR

NHTSA ID

10460730

Incident

Apr 25, 2012

Mileage

130 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME HESITANT TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS BEFORE STALLING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AS IT RETURNED TO NORMAL FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE FUEL PUMP. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOT RECEIVING THE CORRECT FUEL LEVEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,800.

NHTSA ID

10455681

Incident

Apr 16, 2012

Mileage

88,700 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUNROOF SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE POSSIBLE WATER DAMAGE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 139,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10451745

Incident

Sep 5, 2011

Mileage

135,000 mi

1999 MERCURY COUGAR. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION SHIFTING INTO FIRST AND SECOND GEAR, BUT WILL SHIFT CORRECTLY IF IT IS DONE MANUALLY. *TGW

NHTSA ID

10446411

Incident

Jan 2, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE EXHIBITED A LOSS OF POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY ELEVEN MONTHS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SAME REPAIRS WOULD BE NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V42100(FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. UPDATED 03/14/12 *BF

NHTSA ID

10442276

Incident

Feb 1, 2011

Mileage

125,000 mi

LOUD GRINDING NOISE FROM THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION OCCURS WHEN CAR IS DOWN SHIFTED TO FIRST GEAR COMING TO A STOP, OR SHIFTED TO FIRST NOT BEING AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE SHIFT LEVER "POPS OUT OF GEAR" AND ADMITTING A VERY LOUD GRINDING NOISE. PREVENTING THIS WOULD BE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP FROM NEUTRAL, THEN AFTER STOPPING COMPLETELY PROCEED TO ENGAGE CLUTCH AND PUT CAR INTO FIRST GEAR. FIRST GEAR SOMETIMES HARD TO SHIFT INTO, MIGHT BE A SHIFT LINKAGE PROBLEM. SOUNDS LIKE THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION GRINDING WITH A LOUD WINDING SQUEAL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10342131

Incident

Mar 1, 2010

Mileage

128,300 mi