1999 Mercury Cougar Engine Problems

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 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

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 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

BOUGHT CAR AT DEALER ON 02/05/01 SINCE THEN I'VE HAD TO REPAIR CAR ON TOO MANY OCCASIONS. HERE SOME OF THE REPAIRS I'VE HAD TO DO ON THIS CAR EVER SINCE I BOUGHT IT. ON 3/01: BRAKES, 10/01: DEALERSHIP REPLACED BATTERY AND PERFORMED A RECALL,12/01: DEALERSHIP REPLACED ALTERNATOR, 05/02: BRAKE PADS, 04/04: WATER PUMP BELT, 09/04: REPLACED BATTER, 10/11/04: REPLACED ALTERNATOR AND BELT, 10/14/04: REPLACED POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL, 12/04: REPLACED RADIO, 02/06: REPLACED MOTOR MOUNT, 01/07:REPLACED BATTERY, 02/07: REPLACED STRUT, 02/08: REPLACED SHOCK ABSORBER, 10/08: REPLACED BATTERY, 04/09: REPLACED BEARING, TRANSMISSION & ANCHOR ENGINE MOUNT AND DON'T HAVE THE DATE BUT ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. THESE REPAIRS ARE WHAT I HAVE IN RECEIPTS YET FOR EXAMPLE I HAVE REPLACED THE MOTOR MOUNTS MORE THAN ONCE. CURRENTLY THE FOLLOWING AREAS OF MY VEHICLE DO NOT FUNCTION: THE HORN NO LONGER WORKS, CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT FUNCTIONING, THE AIR CONDITIONER NO LONGER HEATS, & THE BRAKE LIGHT OF MY VEHICLE REMAINED LIT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ON AND NOW HAVE FAILED TO TURN OUT (LAMP SOCKET IS BURNT). *TR

NHTSA ID

10294762

Incident

Mar 19, 2001

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE REVS VERY HIGH AND THEN THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO JERK. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE FAILURE AND MENTIONED THAT THE DEALER CHANGED SEVERAL PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO CURRENT RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS FOR THIS FAILURE. THE SERPENTINE BELT, THROTTLE ASSEMBLY, AND VACUUM TUBE WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 183,000. THE CONSUMER STATED BELIEVES DEALER CHARGED FOR UNNECESSARY REPAIRS, INACCURATE DIAGNOSTICS, AND FINANCIAL BURDEN FOR CAR RENTALS AND WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED ALL THE OUTPOCKET EXPENSES. UPDATED 09/05/07 *TR

NHTSA ID

10195384

Incident

Jun 22, 2007

Mileage

183,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. THE MECHANIC NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM THE OIL PAN GASKET ONTO THE EXHAUST PIPES. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE OIL PAN GASKET MATERIAL WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT CURRENTLY HAS TO CARRY A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE MECHANIC STATED DUE TO THE FAILURE A FIRE COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NO RECALLS WERE ISSUED AND WOULD NOT REPAIR OR REPLACE THE GASKET. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 45,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE GASKET MATERIALS USED WERE NOT DURABLE AND SOFT ENOUGH. THEY MUST HAVE EXPERIENCED CRACKING DUE TO TEMPERATURE FATIGUE. UPDATED 10/11/07. *JB

NHTSA ID

10193915

Incident

Jun 21, 2004

Mileage

33,000 mi

RECALL OF BRAKE PRESSURE CONTROL. FORD SERVICE CENTER STATES REPAIR WAS DONE ON 12-19-2000, BUT THERE IS NO RECORDS TO CONFIRM. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL SYSTEM RECALL, FORD STATES THAT THERE ISN'T ONE ON MY VEHICLE, HOWEVER, MY VECHICLE DISPLAYS THE SAME SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED UNDER RECALL 04V421000 AND THE CONTINUOUS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I HAVE HAD ALL SENSORS REPAIRED THAT CAME UP IN ENGINE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING . ACCORDING TO LAST TEST DONE, READS FUEL IS RUNNING LEAN BUT CAN'T REPAIR BECAUSE NO CODE APPEARS FOR THAT TO SHOW WHERE PROBLEM LIES. I HAVE HAD FUEL SYSTEM FLUSHED TO HELP REMEDY PROBLEM. STILL HAVING ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10189652

Incident

Apr 24, 2007

MY 1999 COUGAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR A TUNE UP RECENTLY. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED WITH NEW ONES. APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS LATER ONE OF THEM BLEW BECAUSE FORD MADE A DEFECTIVE SPARK PLUG THREAD. NOW I CANNOT GET IT FIXED BECAUSE A FORD SPECIALIST MUST GO THROUGH THE ENGINE TO REPAIR AND IT WILL COST $1300.00. I THOUGHT GETTING A TUNE UP WAS A GOOD THING! *JB

NHTSA ID

10185234

Incident

Mar 11, 2007

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 ID

10165531

Incident

Jul 15, 2006

Mileage

126,000 mi

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 ID

10164588

Incident

Jul 8, 2006

Mileage

90,000 mi

1. CAR BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO LOCK UP AND LIGHTS BEGAN FLICKERING ON THE DASH. 2. THE CAR STALLED IN THE FAST LANE ON A BUSY FREEWAY. THE CONSEQUENCE WAS A SMALL TRUCK REAR-ENDED THE BACK OF THE CAR AND IT WAS TOTALED. ONE PERSON HAD BUSTED LIP IN TRUCK AND ONE IN THE CAR HAD BUSTED FOREHEAD AND BLACKENED EYES WITH BACK INJURIES AND THE OTHER ONE HAD BACK AND STOMACH EXTREME PAINS AND LEGS. 3. NOTHING COULD BE DONE AT THIS POINT-THE CAR ALWAYS HAD PROBLEMS. TOO BAD, I WAS NOT AWARE OF ALL OF THE RECALLS--MAYBE THAT WOULD NOT HAVE HELPED EITHER. *NM

NHTSA ID

10162066

Incident

Jun 8, 2006

I WOULD LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT MY COUGAR. I CANNOT PASS THE IL. EMISSIONS TESTS, DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE O2 SENSORS ARE DEFECTIVE. MY ENGINE LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON. I HAVE HAD MY CAR SERVICED FOR THE ENGINE LIGHT, ALONE, 8 DIFFERENT TIMES. EIGHT! THIS IS INCREDIBLE. ALSO, MY CAR MAKES A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE WHEN I ATTEMPT TO START IT. -IF IT STARTS AT ALL.- I HAVE HAD MY STARTER REPLACED TWICE. TWICE!!! THIS CAR IS A LEMON. NOTHING BUT A LEMON. HOW COULD MERCURY SALE SUCH CRAP AND GET AWAY WITH IT. MY DRIVERS' LICENSE WILL BE SUSPENDED BECAUSE I CANNOT PASS THE EMISSIONS TEST. IF I CAN EVEN GET MY CAR TO THE TESTING FACILITY. I HAVE HAD THE ALTERNATOR CHANGED, THE FUEL PUMP, THE ELECTRICAL WIRING CHANGED, SUNROOF, TURNING SIGNAL, EVEN THE RADIO WAS DEFECTIVE. I SINCERELY HOPE THAT THERE IS A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST MERCURY, BECAUSE I WILL BE THE FIRST ONE IN LINE TO SUE. *NM *TR

NHTSA ID

10160273

Incident

Jun 1, 2006

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 ID

10152767

Incident

Mar 1, 2006

Mileage

109,000 mi

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 ID

10151336

Incident

Feb 27, 2006

AS SOON AS I BOUGHT THE CAR USED WITH 49000 IT WOULDN'T START. REPLACED THE STARTER, STILL WASN'T RIGHT. HAD TO REPLACE THE FLYWHEEL BECAUSE THE OLD AND NEW STARTER NEVER MATCHED PROPERLY WITH FLYWHEEL. THEN, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE EGR SENSOR WAS BAD. REPLACED THE SENSOR. ALL OF THIS WITHIN ONE MONTH OF OWNING THE CAR. THEN A FEW MONTHS LATER COOLANT LIGHT WASN'T JUST COMING ON, BUT STAYING ON, HAD TO REPLACE COOLANT TANK DUE TO SHORTING OF THE SENSOR IN THE TANK. NOW, SIX MONTHS AFTER OWNING CAR, ENGINE LIGHT IS BACK ON. *AK

NHTSA ID

10148389

Incident

Jan 23, 2006

Mileage

55,223 mi

3/21/05 VEHICLE TAKEN TO LINCOLN MERCURY DRIVEABILITY CONCERN BY>>( MY WIFE)>>>CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, THEY FOND INTAKE GASKETS LEAKING VAC & BANK 2 ALSO MONITOR ARE VERY ACTIVE NEED TUNE UP AND PLUG WIRES AND TIRES... MY WIFE GAVE THEM ALL TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES PO420 & PO430 PAPER....ALSO,TOLD THEM 99-MERCURY COUGAR 2.5L ENGINE STALL AND HAVE INABILITY TO START CAR...THEY KEPT PAPER, AND TOLD HER SHE NEED NEW BATTERY CABLES!!!! CALL MANUFACTURER ON TSB AND RECALL, WE WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL ON OUR VEHICLE I.D. NUMBER....ETC........CONSUMER REPORTS USED CAR BUYING GUIDE FOND RECALL ---99-00 MERCURY COUGAR WITH 2.5L V6 ENGINE----NATSA NUMBER #01I009000 PLEASE HELP............. *JB

NHTSA ID

10147941

Incident

Mar 21, 2005

Mileage

111,004 mi

I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 10/99. I HAVE HAD THE SUN ROOF REPLACED ONCE AND NOW NEEDS IT AGAIN FOR THE SAME REASON; THE TRACK BROKE ($1000 TO FIX, $2000 IF I GO TO THE DEALER). THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS BEEN CHANGED TWICE BECAUSE IT STICKS (IT NEED TO BE CHANGED AGAIN). IN 2/00 IT STARTED: WHENEVER THE CAR GOT COLD, THE CAR WOULD EITHER NOT TURN ON OR WOULD JUST SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. HE CHANGED NUMEROUS PARTS BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE, UNTIL A 2004 RECALL FOR SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM. ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT WHICH TIME THE DEALER REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AT WHICH TIME THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS THE HEAD GASKET. THAT, I HAD REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEN STILL HAD TO BRING IT BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER DONE A SECOND TIME, AND TO HAVE THE COMPUTER RESET TO HAVE THE ENGINE LIGHT SHUT OFF. ANYTIME I HAVE WORK DONE ON THE CAR, EVEN JUST MAINTENANCE, THE CHECK COOLANT LIGHT OR THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND I HAVE TO BRING IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT SHUT OFF. IN 9/05 THE COOLANT LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND A DAY LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, I BROUGHT THE CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CHANGED THE OVERFLOW TANK BECAUSE HE BELIEVED IT TO BE A BAD SENSOR. AFTER FIXING THAT, THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF AS WELL AS ONE OF MY BRAKE LIGHTS. HE DID MULTIPLE TESTS AND DETERMINED THAT IT IS SOMETHING ELECTRICAL, UNFORTUNATELY HE COULD NOT PINPOINT THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. FOR SOME REASON THOSE LIGHTS HAVE GONE OFF BUT I EXPECT THEM COME BACK ON SOON. *JB

NHTSA ID

10142892

Incident

Sep 1, 2005

WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE ,THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE COMPUTER CODE NEEDED TO BE RESET AND RESET IT TWICE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

NHTSA ID

10140290

Incident

Oct 7, 2005

1999 MERCURY COUGAR HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE SPEAKERS, BATTERY EQUIPMENT, BRAKE EQUIPMENT AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER STATED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING SHE NOTICED THE VEHICLE HAD NO BRAKES, THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO FIND A MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED ALL FOR ROTORS AND PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10119217

Incident

Jun 23, 2000

WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE/SURGE FORWARD BEFORE STALLING. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP WILL BE NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ID

10112913

Incident

Nov 9, 2004

Mileage

54,000 mi

WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE ,THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE COMPUTER CODE NEEDED TO BE RESET AND RESET IT TWICE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB *TC

NHTSA ID

10108784

Incident

Oct 24, 2003

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. VEHICLE STALLED, AND WAS STARTED AGAIN. THEN, THE VEHICLE REVVED SEVERELY. DEALER SENT THE VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOPS FIVE TIMES FOR ESTIMATES, BUT COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. *NM

NHTSA ID

10081501

Incident

Mar 2, 2004

Mileage

67,000 mi

21,210 MILES-BRAKE ROTOR AND PAD FAILURE,SUNROOF INOPERABLE,PASSENGER WINDOW INOPERABLE-WARRANTY 47,823 MILES-COMPLETE CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURE-WARRANTY TRUNK HAS NEVER OPENED CORRECTLY FROM INSIDE-NO SOLUTION 87,000 MILES- STARTER MOTOR FAILED-$250 91,519 MILES-2 RADIATOR HOSES FAILED-$240 93,000 MILES-MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILED, DIFFERENTIAL GEARS -$2440 NOW I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY FUEL PUMP. THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF THIS CAR THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS PROBLEMS CARS DON'T RECEIVE UNTIL AFTER 100,000 MILES. IN MY EYES, IT IS SIMPLY A 100,000 MILE LEMON! *NM

NHTSA ID

10073212

Incident

Apr 21, 2004

WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35 TO 40 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE POWER. CONSUMER LOST THE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.*AK

NHTSA ID

10071997

Incident

May 3, 2004