24 of the
740 complaints about the 1999 Mercury Cougar are about the
suspension — 3% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
70,717 miles.
B
24
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Suspension
1145.8%
Rear
520.8%
Front
312.5%
Wheel Bearing
28.3%
Macpherson Strut
14.2%
Control ARM
14.2%
Non-Powered Axle Assembly
14.2%
What owners said
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
at 68,434 milesWestfield, MA
SUSPENSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10521092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130 milesClarkston, MI
SUSPENSION
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.
Brownsville, TX
SUSPENSION:FRONT
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.
Johnston, IA
SUSPENSION
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 73,000 milesCherry Hill, NJ
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BEARING HAS FAILED 3 TIMES IN 4 MONTHS. EACH TIME REQUIRING THE BEARING TO BE REPLACED, AS WELL AS THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS.
NHTSA complaint #10079184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Farmingdale, NY
SUSPENSION:FRONT
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.
at 98,000 milesELK Grove, CA
SUSPENSION:REAR
MY CAR IS A LEMON. HAVE HAD A NEW ENGINE PUT IN IT 2 TIMES BECAUSE THE RODS SPUN. I HAVE HAD THE BRAKE LIGHTS "FIXED" 3 TIMES, THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED 3 TIMES, NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTERS TWICE. NEW POWER STEERING. TRANSMISSION DONE 3 TIMES. THERES DEFINANTLY MORE I JUST CANT THINK OF ALLLLLLL MY REPAIRS ON THIS 1999 COUGAR. I BOUGHT IT USED AND IT HAS NOW 98000 MILES CAUSE I DRIVE OUT OF STATE.
NHTSA complaint #10037305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shreveport, LA
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY '99 COUGAR SUCH AS, FAILURE OF MY PAT SYSTEM AND COMPUTER SYSTEM. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKES WHICH THEY CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD MY STARTER REPLACED TWICE. I HAVE HAD DEFECTS IN SEVERAL SENSORS, WHICH IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY THAT I HAD TO PAY A GOOD AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR THEM TO REPAIR. MY FAN HAS EVEN BLOWN OUT. THERE IS A BURNING SMELL WHENEVER I TURN ON MY HEATER THAT NONE OF THE DEALERS CAN'T SEEM TO SMELL. I ALSO HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW RADIATOR. WHEN MY COMPUTER WENT OUT MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT THEY MADE ME PAY FOR THE REPAIRS, PARTS, AND LABOR OUT OF MY POCKET. THIS IS NOT ALL. THE LIST GOES ON AND ON. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP, FORD MOTOR CO. AND EVEN HAD SOMEONE FROM FORD TO INVESTIGATE ALL OF THE PROBLEMS I'VE HAD WITH MY VEHICLE. THEY HAVE BEEN RUDE TO ME ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT THE REPAIRS OF MY VEHICLE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THE PURCHASE OF A MERCURY COUGAR TO ANYONE.
NHTSA complaint #10000023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FL
SUSPENSION
THERE IS A VIBRATION FOLLOWED WITH A SQUEAKING NOISE IN THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #566017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lansing, MI
SUSPENSION:REAR
VEHICLE SHAKES AT SPEEDS OVER 60 MPH, DEALER DETERMINED REAR WHEELS SHOULD BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #8010451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pampa, TX
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
CONTROL ARM BROKE WHILE DRVING IN A PARKING LOT. DEALER/ MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME.*AK.
NHTSA complaint #8004798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charles City, IA
SUSPENSION
VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL AT 70-75 MPH- DEALER CAN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM AND TIRES AND BALANCE ARE OK.
NHTSA complaint #750221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charles City, IA
SUSPENSION
VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL AT 70-75 MPH- DEALER CAN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM AND TIRES AND BALANCE ARE OK.
NHTSA complaint #750221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Readsboro, VT
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
FIRST TIME MY WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED 08/30/00 UNDER WARRANTY.I THINK THAT WHEEL BEARINGS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE REPLACED WITH SUCH LOW MILEGE.
NHTSA complaint #746350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hoboken, NJ
SUSPENSION:REAR
OIL FILTER COMBUSTED DUE TO PRESSURE. ENGINE HAS BEEN DESTROYED!!! CAR IS A YEAR AND A HALF OLD WITH 24,500 MILES. I HAVE A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS THAT HAVE OCCURRED WITH THIS CAR. I HAVE IGNORED DUE TO THEY COME AND GO. SUCH AS RATTLING NOISES FROM THE TRUNK, CIGARRETTE LIGHTER IS DEAD, GAS GAUGE DOESN'T READ PROPERLY ALL THE TIME, LIGHTS ILLUMINATE FOR REAR LIGHT OUT, AIRBAGS, COOLANT, NEXT TIME START UP CAR THEY ARE OUT??? I HAD A SATURN FOR 5 YEARS NEVER HAD A PROBLEM. I HAVE THIS COUGAR FOR A YEAR AND A HALF AND LOOK AT ALL THESE PROBLEMS. I AM SORRY A CAR THAT IS A YEAR AND A HALF SHOULD NOT BE GETTING A NEW ENGINE!!!! I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED WITH MERCURY. I WILL NEVER GET ANOTHER ONE AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #739379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Davenport, FL
SUSPENSION
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE VIBRATION.
NHTSA complaint #556497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Davenport, FL
SUSPENSION
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE VIBRATION.
NHTSA complaint #556497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NYCrash1 injured
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
WHILE DRIVING 20-25 MPH AND MAKING A MERGE TO RIGHT LANE AND DUE TO STRUT BREAKING, CAUSING STEERING TO BECOME INOPERATIVE, AND RESULTING IN A CRASH. FORD WAS NOT WILLING TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM. *AK DURING THE CRASH, THE WHEEL AND EVERYTHING ATTACHED TO THE WHEEL CAME OFF.
NHTSA complaint #871145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Titusville, FL
SUSPENSION:REAR
WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS CONSUMER NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR OF VEHICLE WHICH CAUSES DRIVER DESTRUCTION. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #870648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bowie, MD
SUSPENSION
THE PROBLEM IS NOT BAD ROTORS/PADS, I HAD THE DEALER TURN THE ROTORS AND THE PROBLEM SUBSIDED FOR A WHILE. THEN A WEEK LATER THEY RETURNED. ITS A LOW GRIND/GROWLING NOISE MUCH DIFFERENT FROM LOW PADS OR NO PAD LEFT. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT ALOT OF PEOPLE ON THE NET HAVE ALSO NOTICED THE SAME PROBLEM. I JUST WANT THE PROBLEM RESOLVED.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 215/50R/16 )
NHTSA complaint #722031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scottsville, NY
SUSPENSION
REAR WHEELS OF VEHICLE SLIDE ON SNOW OR SLUSH WHEN TRAVELING OVER 30 M.P.H OR WHEN MAKING TURNS OVER 5 M.P.H. MAKING VEHICLE VERY HARD TO CONTROL RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 20560R15 )
NHTSA complaint #717830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scottsville, NY
SUSPENSION:REAR
RATTLING, CLINKING NOISE IN REAR OF VEHICLE WHEN HITTING POTHOLE OR MAKING TURNS.
NHTSA complaint #717831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairfield, FL
SUSPENSION:FRONT
THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS TURNED ON. IT FAILED TO COOL INSIDE OF VEHICLE, NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE TRUNK FAILS TO LOCK WHEN CLOSED. THE LOCKING MECHANISM IS NOT HOLDING THE LATCH . WOULD NEED TO JIGGLE THE IGNITION KEY IN THE SWITCH BEFORE IT STARTS. THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SLIDES BACK & FORTH WITHOUT LOCKING INTO PLACE. WHILE BACKING UP VEHICLE, IT WOULD MAKE LOUD NOISES FROM THE FRONT END NEAR WHEELS.
NHTSA complaint #852082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carterville, ILCrash
SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 25MPH SOMETHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD, CAUSING BOTH AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. THEN, VEHICLE SWERVED AND HIT THE CURB.
NHTSA complaint #846227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.