FaultScore

1999 Mercury Cougar engine problems

76 of the 740 complaints about the 1999 Mercury Cougar are about the engine — 10% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 90,000 miles.

C

76

Complaints

5

Crashes

1

Fires

3

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Engine 26 34.2%
Gasoline 21 27.6%
Engine AND Engine Cooling 13 17.1%
Catalytic Convertor 3 3.9%
Engine 3 3.9%
Belts AND Associated Pulleys 2 2.6%
Cooling System 2 2.6%
Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings 2 2.6%
Exhaust System 1 1.3%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 1 1.3%

Engine & Cooling across every Mercury Cougar year

1989 10 2.3%
1990 10 2.3%
1991 21 4.9%
1992 21 4.9%
1993 124 28.7%
1994 33 7.6%
1995 21 4.9%
1996 23 5.3%
1997 33 7.6%
1999 76 17.6%
2000 27 6.3%
2001 13 3.0%
2002 20 4.6%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 98,000 miles Lindstrom, MN

ENGINE

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 complaint #10871134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 97,000 miles Port Charlotte, FL Fire

ENGINE

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 complaint #10594796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130 miles Clarkston, MI

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10460730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,000 miles LAS Vegas, NV

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

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

NHTSA complaint #10442276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,000 miles LAS Vegas, NV

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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

NHTSA complaint #10442276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brownsville, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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).

NHTSA complaint #10294762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 183,000 miles Hackettstown, NJ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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

NHTSA complaint #10195384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 33,000 miles West Hollywood, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10193915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cleveland, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10189652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Portland, OR

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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!

NHTSA complaint #10185234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 126,000 miles Fayetteville, NC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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 complaint #10165531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Beeville, TX Crash 2 injured

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10164588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Beeville, TX Crash 3 injured

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10162066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Orland Hills, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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

NHTSA complaint #10160273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 109,000 miles Waverly, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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 complaint #10152767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Frisco, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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!!!!

NHTSA complaint #10151336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,223 miles Bernville, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10148389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 111,004 miles Cedar Hill, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.............

NHTSA complaint #10147941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Spotswood, NJ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

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.

NHTSA complaint #10142892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Spotswood, NJ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10142892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Saginaw, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10140290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Johnston, IA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10119217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 54,000 miles SAN Antonio, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10112913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Frisco, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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 complaint #10108784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 67,000 miles Lincoln, RI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10081501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Farmingdale, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS

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!

NHTSA complaint #10073212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ashkum, IL Crash

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10071997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pueblo, CO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I HAVE A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR AND IT HAS MALFUNCTIONS ALL OVER IN THE ENGINE. THE MAIN PROBLEM IS THAT MY PRESTONE IS LEAKING INTO MY PISTONS THEREFORE KILLING MY WHOLE ENGINE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER THAT HAD SOLD IT TO ME BUT THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM.SOMEONE NEEDS TO FIX IT AND I'M NOT ABOUT TO FIX IT.

NHTSA complaint #10056453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hermitage, TN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD INTERMITTENTLY.

NHTSA complaint #10050391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 79,000 miles Hamden, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH DRIVER HEARD A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE. DRIVER PULLED OVER AND PARKED, AND THEN VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. MECHANIC STATED THAT MOTOR NEEDED REPLACING.

NHTSA complaint #10042229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1999 Mercury Cougar problems

← Full 1999 Mercury Cougar report