177 of the
2,646 complaints filed about the Mercury Cougar
are about the transmission —
7% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1999.
177
Complaints
7%
Share of all complaints
4
Crashes
1
Fires
Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year
Brake pads constantly keeps running out on front driver, passenger front brakes are still good but rotor keeps running out unevenly, no brake fluid leaks but needs refill every 3rd about 3/4 of a pints bottle, making a left turn it accelerated by itself brakes didn't react, instead of causing in a big accident, pulled the steering wheel, went through a fence and a brick wall stopped my car, checked all fuses replaced fuses if needed, confirmed fuses AMP Ganges with the vehicle own owners manual, dashboard backlights keeps going on and off on it's own, automatic transmission after complete stop it sets it self at neutral , a few taps on the gas pedal then it goes to 1st shift, only has 129,000 miles, 1987 Mercury Cougar LS 5.0l windsor engine, 20th Anniversary Edition
NHTSA complaint #11534721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DROVE DIFFERENTLY AT DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHUT-OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE PURVIS FORD INC LOCATED AT 3660 JEFFERSON DAVIS HWY #1, FREDERICKSBURG, VA 22408, WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IT COULD BE THE IGNITION MODULE, DISTRIBUTOR, OR THE POWER CONTROL MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A MESSAGE WAS LEFT ON THE VOICEMAIL RECORDER. THE CONTACT WAS NOT CALLED BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #11363218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
MY VEHICLES BECAME TOTALLY DISABLED ON A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY WITH HEAVY AFTER HOURS RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE MANIFOLD WHICH IS MADE OF PLASTIC BROKE WERE THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR WAS BUILT IN, I ALSO NOTICED THAT A FEW SPARKPLUGS WERE FLOODED WITH COOLANT. I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A LAWSUIT ON THESE VEHICLES BUT NO ONE KNEW ABOUT IT AND ONLY FLEET VEHICLES WERE COVERED AND NOT CIVILIAN VEHICLES. I WONDER IF THERE IS ANY CHANCE FOR ME TO SEEK A DEALERSHIP AND GET REIMBURSED FOR THESE DAMAGES.
NHTSA complaint #10521303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION SHIFTING INTO FIRST AND SECOND GEAR, BUT WILL SHIFT CORRECTLY IF IT IS DONE MANUALLY. *TGW
NHTSA complaint #10446411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOUD GRINDING NOISE FROM THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION OCCURS WHEN CAR IS DOWN SHIFTED TO FIRST GEAR COMING TO A STOP, OR SHIFTED TO FIRST NOT BEING AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE SHIFT LEVER "POPS OUT OF GEAR" AND ADMITTING A VERY LOUD GRINDING NOISE. PREVENTING THIS WOULD BE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP FROM NEUTRAL, THEN AFTER STOPPING COMPLETELY PROCEED TO ENGAGE CLUTCH AND PUT CAR INTO FIRST GEAR. FIRST GEAR SOMETIMES HARD TO SHIFT INTO, MIGHT BE A SHIFT LINKAGE PROBLEM. SOUNDS LIKE THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION GRINDING WITH A LOUD WINDING SQUEAL.
NHTSA complaint #10342131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
2000 MERCURY COUGAR V 6 AUTO -55000 MI - STEADY STATE CRUISING AFTER 10 MI 'WARM UP' - A FREQUENT , PROBLEM - LIKE OK FOR 3 OR 4 MILE , THEN 2 OR 3 TIMES WILL JERK OR SHUDDER , THEN OK FOR 3 OR 4 MI - HARD JERK , ENGINE TACH JUMPS FROM 2800 > 4000 RPM , BACK TO 2800. SEEMS MOSTLY AT STEADY 70 MPH OR SO , DOES DO IT SOMETIMES AT 40. SEEMS HARDLY EVER ON SHORT DRIVE , LIKE 8 MI TO WORK IN MORNING. TRANS CAN'T FIND CORRECT GEAR ? COMPUTER ? DEALER , AFTERMARKET SHOP COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING. NEW FUEL FILTER , TRANS OIL.
NHTSA complaint #10292535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR, AND HAVE HAD IT ABOUT 4 YEARS NOW. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR, EXCEPT HAVING TO HAVE THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED. I WORK 3RD SHIFT (7P-7A) AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL, AND ON MY WAY HOME, MY CAR STARTED SLIPPING IN AND OUT OF GEAR. THE CAR WOULD GO FOR A MINUTE, THEN IT WOULD STOP, AND I WOULD PUSH THE GAS AND THE CAR WOULD JUST REV UP. I HAD A LINE OF TRAFFIC BEHIND ME, SO I AS TRYING MY BEST TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. I FINALLY GOT IT INTO AN EMPTY PARKING LOT AND CALLED TO GET SOME HELP. I WAS VERY TIRED FROM WORKING A 12 HOUR SHIFT AND HAD TO WAIT 2 HOURS FOR SOMEONE TO COME AND GET ME. WE GOT THE CAR TO A MECHANIC, WHICH SAID THAT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION, AND HE THEN TOLD ME THAT HE WOULD DRAIN THE TRANSMISSION, PUT NEW FLUID IN IT, AND SEE IF THAT FIXED THE PROBLEM. TO MY VERY UNFORTUNATE NEWS, THE TRANSMISSION HAS WENT OUT IN MY CAR. I AM A FULL-TIME STUDENT AND FULL-TIME WORKING TRYING TO MAKE ENDS MEET. DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION GOING OUT IN MY CAR, I HAVE MISSED CLASSES, AND IT'S BECOMING A HEADACHE TRYING TO GET TO AND FROM WORK, SCHOOL, AND OTHER PLACES I NEED TO BE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE 1999 COUGARS HAD A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT I NEEDED TO FIND OUT ABOUT IT. THIS IS WHAT I AM DOING NOW. I CAN'T AFFORD A NEW TRANSMISSION, LET ALONE A NEW CAR, WHILE I'M TRYING TO GO TO SCHOOL. THIS WHOLE ORDEAL HAS THROWN ME OFF, BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN (IN ONE DAY) THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. I HOPE THIS PROBLEM IS RESOLVED, AND I GET SOME HELP WITH FIXING MY CAR. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME, AND I HOPE THAT MY PROBLEM IS LOOKED INTO. THANKS, GINA BROOK MELTON
NHTSA complaint #10243573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR AUTOMATIC V6. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT CONTINUE TO HAVE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. LIKE OTHER 1999 ' 2000 MERCURY COUGAR OWNERS I WORRY ABOUT THE SAFETY OF DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH MORE PROBLEMS THAN CAN COST EFFECTIVELY BE FIXED. MY LIST OF BROKEN ITEMS INCLUDE THE RADIO, POWER WINDOW REGULATOR, O2 SENSORS, TRANSMISSION AT 59,000 MILES, DASHBOARD LIGHTS (LOW COOLANT AND CHECK ENGINE), DOOR/WINDOW LEAKY SEAL ISSUES, ENGINE MISFIRE (DECREASED ACCELERATION) AND NOW MY CRUISE CONTROL AND TURN SIGNALS DO NOT WORK. UPON RESEARCHING THE RECALL FOR CRUISE CONTROL FIRES DEALING WITH FORD PRODUCTS I FOUND THAT I AM AMONG OTHER DISGRUNTLED COUGAR OWNERS. FORD/MERCURY OR FORD TECHNICIANS HAVE NOT DONE A SATISFACTORY JOB LETTING OWNERS KNOW OF RECALLS THAT NEED ATTENTION. MY LATEST CONCERN IS THAT MY COUGAR MIGHT START ON FIRE, PER MY COMPLAINT WITH FORD; THEY SEE NO THREAT WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL ISSUES AND SUGGESTED I CONTACT THE NHTSA WITH MY COMPLAINT.
NHTSA complaint #10222903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2000 MERCURY COUGAR WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES WHEN PUTTING IT INTO GEAR, JERKS WHEN MOVING FORWARD. HE ALSO STATES THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID ON THE GROUND WAS NOTICED. *KB A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS METAL FILLINGS IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AS WELL AS BAD SEALS.
NHTSA complaint #10219510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BRAKES CONTINUE TO GRIND EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT. TRANSMISSION SURGES AND HESITATES UPON ACCELERATION CAUSING UNEXPECTED INCREASES IN SPEED. TRANSMISSION ALSO SLIPS IN AND OUT OF GEARS RANDOMLY. ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10205576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AFTER ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH MY 2001 COUGAR I WISH I WOULD HAVE MADE A BETTER CHOICE IN WHAT VEHICLE I BOUGHT. THE ONE RECALL THAT THEY HAD ON THE FUEL PUMP I HAD TO HAVE THAT REPLACED, BUT I AM NOT SURE THEY REALLY FIXED IT BECAUSE IT STILL HESITATED WHEN I ACCELERATING . THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT ON THE DASH WENT ON IN THE WINTER TIME WHEN I FIRST STARTED THE CAR. AFTER I DRIVING A BIT THE LIGHT WILL JUST TURN OFF. SO HOW THE AM I SUPPOSE TO KNOW WHEN THERE REALLY WAS A COOLANT PROBLEM IF THE LIGHT JUST WENT ON. THEN, THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 94,000 MILES WITH NO SIGNS OF IT GOING OUT. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH WHEN I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL AND NOTHING HAPPENED, LIKE THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL. I TRIED DIFFERENT GEARS AND NOTHING. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO BRING THE CAR HOME AND COST $300.00. I HAD TO FIND A PLACE TO BRING THE CAR TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION WHICH WAS AT A FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT 3 DAYS TO HAVE IT DONE, AND TURNED OUT TAKING 2 WEEKS BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO PUT THE CORRECT TRANSMISSION IN THE BOX. THEY SENT TWO WRONG TRANSMISSIONS BEFORE FORD FINALLY GOT THE CORRECT TRANSMISSION FOR THE CAR TO THE SHOP. THIS COST ME $3,235.00. TRANSMISSIONS FAILING AT 94,000 MILES WAS RIDICULOUS CONSIDERING ALL PROPER MAINTENANCE WAS DONE WHEN IT WAS NEEDED. THERE WERE STILL OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR, BUT I COULD NOT FIT ALL THE WORDS ON THIS FORM. I DID NOT BELIEVE ANYTHING WAS DONE AT ALL, AND CUSTOMER SERVICE FROM FORD WAS TERRIBLE. THE NEXT VEHICLE I BUY MOST DEFINITELY WILL NOT BE A FORD AND PROBABLY NOT AN AMERICAN VEHICLE EITHER. WORD OF MOUTH IS VERY POWERFULLY AND PEOPLE THAT I TALK TO ABOUT COUGAR PROBLEMS WILL NEVER BE BUYING A FORD. IF ONLY FORD WOULD CARE A LITTLE AND NOT BE AFRAID TO SPEND SOME MONEY TO MAKE THEIR CUSTOMERS A LITTLE MORE PLEASED WITH THEIR PURCHASE THEN MAYBE PEOPLE WOULDN'T LOOK DOWN SO MUCH ON FORD PRODUCTS.
NHTSA complaint #10190620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.