FaultScore

Mercury Cougar suspension problems

75 of the 2,646 complaints filed about the Mercury Cougar are about the suspension — 3% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1999.

75

Complaints

3%

Share of all complaints

2

Crashes

0

Fires

Suspension complaints by model year

1988 Cougar 1 1.3%
1989 Cougar 3 4.0%
1991 Cougar 4 5.3%
1992 Cougar 4 5.3%
1993 Cougar 4 5.3%
1994 Cougar 7 9.3%

Median failure at 80,000 miles

1995 Cougar 12 16.0%

Median failure at 67,000 miles

1996 Cougar 3 4.0%
1997 Cougar 6 8.0%

Median failure at 58,970 miles

1999 Cougar 24 32.0%

Median failure at 70,717 miles

2000 Cougar 1 1.3%
2001 Cougar 3 4.0%

Median failure at 50,022 miles

2002 Cougar 3 4.0%

Median failure at 46,983 miles

What owners said

2002 Mercury Cougar Decatur, AR

SUSPENSION

I HAVE FOUND 3 RECALLS FOR MY CAR, THEY ARE ALL THE EXACT PROBLEMS I AM HAVING, BUT WHEN I SEARCHED FOR OPEN RECALLS IT SAID NONE ARE OPEN FOR MY CAR. I NEED MY CAR REPAIRED AND THE RECALLS COMPLETED.

NHTSA complaint #11074669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1994 Mercury Cougar at 45,000 miles DE Queen, AR

SUSPENSION

TAKATA RECALL.... JUST LOOKING FOR ANY RECALLS ON MY CAR,,,,WHOLE FRONT END FELL OUT..

NHTSA complaint #10854223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Mercury Cougar at 68,434 miles Westfield, 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.

1999 Mercury Cougar at 130 miles Clarkston, 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.

1999 Mercury Cougar 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.

2002 Mercury Cougar at 84,000 miles Leonia, NJ

SUSPENSION

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. HE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTLY PULLING THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND OPERATED NORMALLY. HE DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND LATER CALLED THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE AND THEY MADE REPAIRS AT THE COST OF $697. THE FAILURE WAS IDENTIFIED AS BEING INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE COULD CAUSE ENGINE HESITATION, LOSS OF POWER, SURGING, AND OTHER SIMILAR SYMPTOMS. OVER TIME, THE FILTER MAY BECOME SUFFICIENTLY BLOCKED AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 07/16/08*LJ THE BUSHINGS AND CLUTCH WERE WORN. THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL SENDER WERE REPLACED. THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THE DEALER REPLACED A LEAKING INTAKE. UPDATED 07/16/08

NHTSA complaint #10231582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1992 Mercury Cougar Lakepark, GA

SUSPENSION:FRONT

FRONT END SUSPENSION INCLUDING BALL JOINTS CAUSING FRONT END COLLAPSING.

NHTSA complaint #10147299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1995 Mercury Cougar Erie, PA

SUSPENSION:FRONT

DT: THE CONTACT STATED APPROXIMATELY 18 MONTHS AGO HE HAD THE FRONT END REDONE. THIRTEEN MONTHS LATER THE LEFT BALL JOINT FAILED AND IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THEN, HE NOTICED Y THAT THE RIGHT BALL JOINT MALFUNCTIONED. UPON CONTACTING THE DEALERSHIP, THEY STATED THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.

NHTSA complaint #10144683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1995 Mercury Cougar Erie, PA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

DT: THE CONTACT STATED APPROXIMATELY 18 MONTHS AGO HE HAD THE FRONT END REDONE. THIRTEEN MONTHS LATER THE LEFT BALL JOINT FAILED AND IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THEN, HE NOTICED Y THAT THE RIGHT BALL JOINT MALFUNCTIONED. UPON CONTACTING THE DEALERSHIP, THEY STATED THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.

NHTSA complaint #10144683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1995 Mercury Cougar Erie, PA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

DT: THE CONTACT STATED APPROXIMATELY 18 MONTHS AGO HE HAD THE FRONT END REDONE. THIRTEEN MONTHS LATER THE LEFT BALL JOINT FAILED AND IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THEN, HE NOTICED Y THAT THE RIGHT BALL JOINT MALFUNCTIONED. UPON CONTACTING THE DEALERSHIP, THEY STATED THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.

NHTSA complaint #10144683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Mercury Cougar 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.

2001 Mercury Cougar at 67,000 miles Casnovia, MI

SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

2001 MERCURY COUGAR. SINCE I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR I HAVE REPLACE THE ENGINE AT 65,000 MILES, LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING AT 70,000 MILES, RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING IS ON ITS WAY OUT AT 100,000 MILES ALONG WITH A PLUGGED CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE. A/C ALSO FAILED AT 115,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10112067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1995 Mercury Cougar at 67,000 miles Sims, NC

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

TRANSMISSION WAS NOT PERFORMING. WELL. CONSUMER STATED THAT GEARS WERE NOT CHANGING, AND THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10106714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1995 Mercury Cougar at 67,000 miles Sims, NC

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

TRANSMISSION WAS NOT PERFORMING. WELL. CONSUMER STATED THAT GEARS WERE NOT CHANGING, AND THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10106714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Mercury Cougar at 33,045 miles Thornton, CO

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

LOWER RIGHT BALL JOINT PINCH BOLT CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING CAR. CAR CAME TO STOP AND COULD NOT TURN WHEEL. REPLACED R/F LOWER CONTROL ARM AND BOLT NUT M12 HF PIP 8, OLT M12X55 HEX. ARM BSHG & JT ASY-FR ALIGMENT. TOTAL COST TO REPAIR $517.41.

NHTSA complaint #10105744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1994 Mercury Cougar at 115,000 miles Phoenix, AZ

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS BROKE WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #10091451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Mercury Cougar at 73,000 miles Cherry 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.

1999 Mercury Cougar 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.

1997 Mercury Cougar Bellingham, WA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

LOWER LEFT BALL JOINT BROKE WHEN VEHICLE HIT A POT HOLE. *MR THE VEHICLE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY GRINDING TO A HALT. THE CONSUMER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THE LEFT WHEEL RIM WITH EXTENSIVE GRINDING DAMAGE AND WEAR ON THE OUTSIDE LEFT FRONT TIRE AND THE INSIDE OF THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10046538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Mercury Cougar Bellingham, WA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

LEFT FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT ON VEHICLE BROKE AFTER HITTING A POTHOLE.*MR THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL RIM SHOWED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC SWITCH THE TWO LEFT TIRES FROM FRONT TO BACK. THE VEHICLE DIDN'T WOBBLE OR HAVE ANY VIBRATION AFTER THE FACT. THE CONSUMER HAD GREASED FITTINGS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATED NO GREASE WOULD BE NEEDED FOR 100,00 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10038298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Mercury Cougar problems