1999 Mercury Cougar Fuel system Problems

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

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

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

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 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

1999 MERCURY COUGAR - RIGHT FUEL TANK STRAP FAILURE. WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, I SUDDENLY HEARD A NOISE OF SOMETHING METALLIC SLAPPING AGAINST THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER PULLING OVER TO INVESTIGATE, I DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT SIDE FUEL TANK STRAP HAD COMPLETELY CORRODED THRU AND HAD BROKEN, ALLOWING THE FUEL TANK TO DROP DOWN SLIGHTLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. ONCE I WAS ABLE TO JACK UP THE CAR TO EXAMINE, I DISCOVERED THAT THE COATING ON THE METAL STRAP HAD CRACKED OFF AND THAT THE METAL STRAP WAS CORRODED SO BADLY THAT THE METAL STRAP HAD TORN FROM THE WEIGHT OF THE FUEL TANK, ALLOWING THE STRAP TO DROP TO THE PAVEMENT. I REPLACED THE STRAP WITH A UNIVERSAL REPLACEMENT STRAP BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THAT THE ITEM WOULD BE A SPECIAL ORDER ITEM AND THAT I COULD NOT BE GUARANTEED AS TO WHEN IT WOULD BE RECEIVED. TO PREVENT CORROSION OF THE REPLACEMENT STRAP, I PRIMED AND PAINTED IT WITH A RUST INHIBITING PAINT. I FEAR THAT IF I HAD BACKED UP WHILE THE STRAP HAD BEEN BROKEN (IF I HAD BEEN UNAWARE OF THE CONDITION) THAT THE STRAP COULD HAVE CAUGHT ON THE PAVEMENT AND BEEN FORCED UP INTO THE GAS TANK, POSSIBLY PUNCTURING IT, OR THAT THE GAS TANK COULD HAVE BROKEN THE REMAINING STRAP AND RIPPED FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A POTENTIAL FIRE CONDITION. IT CONCERNS ME THAT AUTOMAKERS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO USE A STAINLESS GRADE (NON-CORRODING) MATERIAL FOR CRITICAL ITEMS SUCH AS CRITICAL SUSPENSION COMPONENTS, BRAKE LINES, OR IN THIS CASE, FUEL SYSTEM RELATED COMPONENTS, SUCH AS TANK SUPPORT STRAPS. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A CAR OF THIS AGE HAVING THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM BUT FOUND THRU MY SEARCH ONLINE THAT FAILURE OF THE RIGHT FUEL TANK STRAP SEEMS TO BE A BIT TOO COMMON ON THE 1999+ MERCURY COUGARS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10340715

Incident

Jun 26, 2010

Mileage

99,750 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SURGE BACK AND FORTH AND THEN THE SHUT OFF. HE HAD TO WAIT APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES BEFORE HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 25 MPH WITHOUT SHUTTING OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE FAILED AND ADVISED HIM THAT THE REPAIR COST WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $200. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V421000 COMPONENT: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLES IDENTIFICATION NUMBER NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ID

10289635

Incident

Apr 15, 2009

Mileage

100,000 mi

I'VE GOT A REPEATABLE FAILURE THAT HAPPENS WHEN I MAKE A LEFT TURN OR GO UP AN INCLINE WHILE I HAVE LESS THAN A QUARTER OF A TANK OF GAS IN MY VEHICLE. THE CAR WILL LOSE POWER AND START TO STUTTER, AND HAS COMPLETELY STALLED A COUPLE TIMES. I HAVEN'T HAD ANY PARTS REPLACED YET, BUT I FOUND OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM AND AN EXTENDED COVERAGE PROGRAM OFFERED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THEY SAY DOESN'T APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. THIS HAS ALSO BEEN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID AS WELL. ACCORDING TO THE EMAILS WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE THE PROGRAM WAS FOR CARS MANUFACTURED MAY 25, 1999 THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2001. MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED ON MAY 24, 1999. I QUESTIONED IF THE ONE DAY DIFFERENCE IN MANUFACTURE COULD ACTUALLY EXCLUDE MY VEHICLE, IF MY VEHICLE COULD ACTUALLY BE AFFECTED, AND WHETHER THERE WAS SOME WAY TO TELL IF THE AFFECTED PART WAS INSTALLED IN MY VEHICLE (POSSIBLY BY PART NUMBER OR SERIAL NUMBER OF THE INSTALLED PART). THERE ARE APPARENTLY AT LEAST SEVERAL DIFFERENT PARTS (THE PRE EXTENDED PROGRAM PART, THE BAD PART BEING REPLACED DURING THE PROGRAM, AND THE ONE REPLACING THE BAD PART. I HAVE REQUESTED BUT NOT BEEN GIVEN A WAY TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10284562

Incident

Jul 15, 2007

Mileage

50,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD HESITATE AND STALL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO LOSE POWER AND SURGE AS IF IT WOULD FAIL WHILE DRIVING. WHILE DRIVING UPHILL AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD APPEAR SLUGGISH AND THEN OPERATE NORMALLY AGAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURES AS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS, AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE CHARGED FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,325 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.

NHTSA ID

10223251

Incident

Nov 24, 2007

Mileage

121,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AND SURGE WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 45-65 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE THROTTLE CONTROL SENSOR AND FUEL FILTERS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

NHTSA ID

10214733

Incident

Oct 26, 2007

Mileage

100,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. IN 2003, THE ENGINE FAILED WHEN FUEL WAS PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. CURRENTLY, FUEL IS NOT ABLE TO ENTER INTO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WILL START AND THEN SHUT OFF. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST HAS NOT BEEN PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS ALSO HAD ELECTRICAL FAILURES, WHICH CAUSED THE BATTERY TO FAIL FOUR TIMES IN FOUR YEARS. THE BATTERY CABLE HAS BEEN RETIGHTENED SEVERAL TIMES AND REPLACED ONCE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ID

10202089

Incident

Sep 1, 2007

Mileage

20,000 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

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE @ 30 MPH THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLED OUT AND I ALMOST CAUSE A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT STEER NOR BRAKE. FORD HAS A RECALL ON THE 1999 MERCURY COUGAR REPLACEMENT PROGRAM 04N02 BUT FORD SAYS MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS PROGRAM. PLEASE HELP. *NM

NHTSA ID

10182560

Incident

Feb 13, 2007

Mileage

74,000 mi

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 THE VEHICLE HESITATED, STALLED, LOST POWER AND BACKFIRED WHEN THE FUEL TANK REACHED A LEVEL OF THREE QUARTERS TO ONE HALF FULL. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY AFTER IT STALLED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA RECALL 04V421000, CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM ONLINE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

NHTSA ID

10159893

Incident

Jun 15, 2006

Mileage

80,836 mi

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 ID

10152261

Incident

Mar 9, 2006

Mileage

55,000 mi

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V421000 REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM DELIVERY MODULE. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.*AK

NHTSA ID

10146830

Incident

Jan 3, 2006

THERE IS RECALL ON MERCURY COUGAR 1999 V6 FOR A FUEL FILTER THAT MAY CAUSE HESITATION, STALLING, SURGING. OVER FIFTY TIMES HAS THIS OCCURRED NEARLY CAUSING SERIOUS ACCIDENTS OVER FIVE TIMES. THE CAR HAS BEEN GIVEN A "TUNE UP" TO ELIMINATE THAT AS THE CAUSE. THE ONLY OTHER CAUSE COULD BE THE FUEL FILTER WHICH HAS BEEN RECALLED AS PER RECALL 04V421000 NHTSA. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND FORD DEALERSHIPS AND THEY REFUSE TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM. IF THIS HAS HAPPENED ON OTHER VEHICLES THEN IT IS THE CAUSE ON THIS VEHICLE WHETHER THEY WANT TO ADMIT TO THAT OR NOT. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. *NM

NHTSA ID

10146388

Incident

Aug 10, 2005

I AM THE OWNER OF A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. I PURCHASED THE VECHICLE NEW AND HAVE MAINTAINED ALL SERVICE REQUIREMENTS. AT THIS POINT, THE VECHICLE STILL HAS LESS THAN 45,000 MILES (I DO NOT DRIVE ALL THAT MUCH). HOWEVER, SINCE PURCHASING THIS CAR I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TWICE THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY, ALL THE BRAKES, TIRES, AND NOW THE FUEL PUMP HAS GONE OUT. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMPS, SO I CONTACTED FORD, BUT THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY COUGAR IS NOT IN AMONG THOSE ON THE LIST. HOWEVER, MY CAR HAS THE EXACT SYMPTOMS THAT ARE LISTED BY FORD; IT STALLS AND WILL NOT RUN. IN FORD'S STATEMENT, THEY INDICATE THAT THEY WILL REPLACE THE FAILED FUEL PUMP, BUT THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO DO THAT FOR ME. BECUASE OF THIS FAILED FUEL PUMP SITUATION, I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TWICE AND HAVE BEEN STUCK IN SOME VERY INCLEMENT WINTER WEATHER SITUATIONS. I AM NOW FACING A $640 FUEL REPLACEMENT BILL WHICH I DO NOT FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY GIVEN THE CURRENT RECALL. I HAVE NEVER BEFORE COMPLAINED ABOUT WHAT I CONSIDER TO BE EXCESSIVE REPAIRS, BUT THIS LATEST FAILURE HAS ME LIVID. I DO HOPE THAT OTHERS DO NOT FACE THIS SAME SITUTAION AND THAT FORD WILL RECONSIDER ITS POSITION TO NOT COVER THE COST OF MY FULE PUMP REPLACEMENT. *NM

NHTSA ID

10145090

Incident

Dec 8, 2005

Mileage

45,000 mi

I WAS COMMUTING TO WORK IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND WHILE TRAVELING UPHILL, THE CAR LOST POWER AND THEN THE ENGINE QUIT COMPLETELY. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO ROLL THE CAR OUT OF THE HIGHWAY BEFORE ANOTHER VEHICLE APPROACHED THE BLIND CURVE FROM MY REAR AND SWERVED TO AVOID THE BROKEN DOWN CAR AND MYSELF. I CONDUCTED AN INTERNET SEARCH AFTER FINALLY GETTING THE CAR RESTARTED AND RETURNING TO HOME THAT EVENING AND DISCOVERED THAT FORD MOTOR CO. HAD INITIATED A PROGRAM TO ALLEVIATE THE SYMPTOMS THE CAR WAS EXPERIENCING. ALTHOUGH THE CAR BEHAVED EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED UNDER THE MANUFACTURERS DESCRIPTION OF POTENTIAL PROBLEMS(INCLUDING SURGING, HESITATION, LOSS OF POWER, AND ENGINE STALLING), I WAS TOLD AFTER CONTACTING THE SELLING DEALER AND FORD THAT MY CAR DID NOT QUALIFY FOR ANY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE IT FELL OUTSIDE OF THE PRODUCTION WINDOW OF THE VEHICLES THEY HAD IDENTIFIED AS HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THIS PROBLEM HAS RECURRED 4 TIMES SINCE THE INITIAL INCIDENT WHILE DRIVING ON INCLINED SURFACES BUT I DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE THE CAR ON THE MOUNTAIN ROADS. THE EXTENDED COVERAGE PROGRAM 04N02 IS THE PROGRAM I REFERRED TO WHEN CONTACTING BOTH THE DEALER AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY. AS A RESULT OF THIS, I AM UNABLE TO USE THIS CAR TO COMMUTE TO WORK AND HAVE RESORTED TO THE USE OF RENTAL OR BORROWED VEHICLES. *JB

NHTSA ID

10144753

Incident

Nov 22, 2005

Mileage

165,600 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

1999 MERCURY COUGAR ENGINE HESITATES, LOSSES POWER AND BUCKS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. *TS THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR 4 DAYS, THEY STILL HAD NOT MADE A DETERMINATION AS TO WHAT WAS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO HESITATE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, HOWEVER AFTER THE REPLACEMENT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE CONSUMER TOOK IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC AND THE INLET MANIFOLD RUNNER CONTROL WAS REPLACED, BUT THAT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM EITHER. THE CONSUMER TOOK IT BACK AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THEY HAD NO CLUE AS TO WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH , THE CONSUMER CAME ACROSS A BULLETIN WHICH DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM HE WAS EXPERIENCING AND A RESOLUTION, WHICH WAS A DEFECT IN THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM.*JB

NHTSA ID

10140992

Incident

Jan 1, 1901

RECALL 04V421000 CONCERNING FUEL DELIVERY MODULE. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT HESITATION, LOSS OF POWER, AND ENGINE STALLING WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP POSITION. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL.*AK

NHTSA ID

10119230

Incident

Jan 23, 2005

Mileage

65,000 mi

RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V421000 CONCERNING FUEL SYSTEM GASOLINE. DELIVERY. I AM EXPERIENCING THESE EXACT PROBLEMS, WHICH ARE BELIEVED TO BE PRESENT ALSO, BY MY LOCAL DEALER, WHERE I SHOWED THE CAR TO A MERCURY TRAINED MECHANIC. HOWEVER, FORD/MERCURY (RON BLUESTEIN/FORD EXECUTIVE OFFICES, ID # 2170, PHONE 800 521 4140) REFUSED TO COVER REPAIRS DUE TO VIN .I STRONGLY DISAGREE AND FELL THAT MY CAR'S SAFETY WAS IN QUESTION. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, CONTAMINATION OF THE FILTER IN THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) COULD REDUCE, AND EVENTUALLY BLOCK THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE. THIS MAY CAUSE ENGINE HESITATION, LOSS OF POWER, SURGING, AND OTHER SIMILAR SYMPTOMS. SOMETIME, THE FILTER MAY BECOME SUFFICIENTLY BLOCKED TO CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. *AK

NHTSA ID

10118048

Incident

Apr 17, 2005

Mileage

36,000 mi

GAS GAUGE HAS ERRATIC OPERATION (SOMETIMES STICKS ON E OR F AND NEVER ACCURATE). CAR HAS HESITATION. DEALER INDICATED IT WAS THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE. FORD/MERCURY ISSUED RECALL IN MAY 2004 ON FUEL DELIVERY MODULE FOR THIS REASON. MY CAR WAS NOT IN THE RECALL AND FORD WILL NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED (APPROX $480 REPAIR). *NM

NHTSA ID

10080433

Incident

Jul 6, 2004

Mileage

67,000 mi