IllustrationWHILE DRIVING, ENGINE STALLED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE OIL PUMP INSTALLED ON VEHICLE, MASSIVE OIL LEAKAGE DUE TO FAILURE. *SLC
1999 Mercury Cougar
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cougar years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
90–25K
2725–50K
3750–75K
2675–100K
23100–150K
7150K+
129 reports with mileage · 325 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 99 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 72 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
23 crash reports3 fire reports21 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
67 reportsI NORMALLY BUY FOREIGN MADE AUTOS. BUT THIS CAR WAS GORGEOUS. IT HAS BECOME A LIVING NIGHTMARE. A FLYWHEEL WAS REPLACED AFTER SEVERAL TIMES TELLING THE DEALER THAT IT MADE A HORRIBLE SCREECHING NOISE AS IF THE KEY WAS ALREADY STARTED. THE NEXT PROBLEM IS THAT I HIT A POTHOLE IN DETROIT AND RUINED A RIM PLUS TIRE. I JUST RECENTLY…
Read full complaint
I NORMALLY BUY FOREIGN MADE AUTOS. BUT THIS CAR WAS GORGEOUS. IT HAS BECOME A LIVING NIGHTMARE. A FLYWHEEL WAS REPLACED AFTER SEVERAL TIMES TELLING THE DEALER THAT IT MADE A HORRIBLE SCREECHING NOISE AS IF THE KEY WAS ALREADY STARTED. THE NEXT PROBLEM IS THAT I HIT A POTHOLE IN DETROIT AND RUINED A RIM PLUS TIRE. I JUST RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE 2 MORE TIRES THAT JUST SEEM TO WEAR OUT FOR NO REASON. I DON'T DO A WHOLE LOT OF DRIVING. LAST MONTH THEY REPLACED THE IAC SWITCH. NOW I NEED TO TAKE IT IN BECAUSE IT RIDES LIKE A RAGGEDY TRUCK. IT SHAKES AND WILL NOT HOLD THE ROAD. YOU CAN FEEL EVERY CRACK IN THE STREET. MY BOYFRIEND HAS A 88 OLDS AND I WOULD RATHER RIDE/DRIVE HIS CAR THAN THIS COUGAR. I STILL HAVE 1 YEAR ON MY LEASE AND YOU CAN BET I WILL NEVER BY A FORD/LINCOLN/MERCURY CAR EVERY AGAIN. *AK (TIRESIZE: R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: R16 )
SERPENTINE BELT SLIPS WHEN DRIVING IN RAIN CAUSING A LOSS IN POWER STEERING AND ALL WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON INSIDE OF CAR. THERE ARE VARIOUS REPORTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.......#2 FRONT BRAKE PADS ARE WEARING OUT WAY TO EARLY, AND ALSO HAD FRONT ROTORS REPLACED. *AK
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 …
Read full complaint
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.*AK
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING A MOMENTARY LOSS OF STEERING WHEN DRIVING OVER A WATER PUDDLE, AND INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING MALFUNCTION TO INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND UNABLE TO LOCATE CAUSE. *AK BOTH SIDE MIRRORS FELL OFF. THE CD AND THE RADIO ARE NOT OPERATIONAL. THE RADIATOR HOSE BROKE AFTER 2 MONTHS…
Read full complaint
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING A MOMENTARY LOSS OF STEERING WHEN DRIVING OVER A WATER PUDDLE, AND INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING MALFUNCTION TO INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND UNABLE TO LOCATE CAUSE. *AK BOTH SIDE MIRRORS FELL OFF. THE CD AND THE RADIO ARE NOT OPERATIONAL. THE RADIATOR HOSE BROKE AFTER 2 MONTHS OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE BACK WINDOW WIPER FAILED. THE SUN ROOF FAILED. THIS VEHICLE HAD NUMEROUS MECHANICAL PROBLEMS.
WHILE DRIVING IN A RAINY CONDITIONS SERPENTINE BELT GETS WET/ WILL LOSE POWER STEERING, LEAVING VEHICLE STUCK.
WHILE DRIVING ON A 4-LANE HIGHWAY, LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIT UP AND ENGINE DIED. THEN, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WITH NO BRAKES OR STEERING VEHICLE STARTED TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT A GUARDRAIL AT ABOUT 55MPH. CONSUMER SAID IT WAS A ENGINE PROBLEM. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK *ML
DRIVER'S DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY. *SLC
CAR STALLS FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT WILL LOSE POWER AS IF OUT OF GAS. RPM'S WILL REV UP HIGH AND CAR WILL ACT AS IF IT IS IN NEUTRAL. WHILE TRAVELING AT 70MPH , THE CAR WOULD HESITATE SEVERELY AND ACT AS IF IT WAS GOING TO SHUT DOWN. IT WOULD CONTINUE TO DRIVE , BUT SPEED WOULD GET SLOWER AND SLOWER BUT THE RPM'S WOULD KEEP…
Read full complaint
CAR STALLS FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT WILL LOSE POWER AS IF OUT OF GAS. RPM'S WILL REV UP HIGH AND CAR WILL ACT AS IF IT IS IN NEUTRAL. WHILE TRAVELING AT 70MPH , THE CAR WOULD HESITATE SEVERELY AND ACT AS IF IT WAS GOING TO SHUT DOWN. IT WOULD CONTINUE TO DRIVE , BUT SPEED WOULD GET SLOWER AND SLOWER BUT THE RPM'S WOULD KEEP GOING UP AND DOWN. WHEN CAR COMPLETELY STALLS , IT BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN. ONCE IT IS STARTED, IT WILL DRIVE FINE FOR ABOUT ANOTHER WEEK. THE CAR HAS STALLED AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND TOTALLY UNEXPECTED. IT HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES AND THE CAR BECOMES HARD TO CONTROL IN TRAFFIC. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THEREFORE UNABLE TO FIX IT. OTHER MINOR PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN THE HATCH NOT OPENING DUE TO LEAKING STRUT. TOOK 2 ATEMPTS BY THE DEALER BEFORE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED. CD PLAYER WENT OUT AND SUN ROOF WOULD NOT OPEN. *AK
INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NO CORRECTION COULD BE MADE AT THIS TIME. *AK
Official recalls
704V421000 · Fuel System, Gasoline
Aug 30, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, CONTAMINATION OF THE FILTER IN THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) CAN REDUCE, AND EVENTUALLY BLOCK, THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS MAY CAUSE ENGINE HESITATION, LOSS OF POWER, SURGING, AND OTHER SIMILAR SYMPTOMS. OVER TIME, THE FILTER MAY BECOME SUFFICIENTLY BLOCKED TO CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: THIS ACTION IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN AND IS NOT BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE SAFETY ACT. ALL OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FDM WITH A NEW DESIGN AT NO CHARGE IF THE OWNER REPORTS THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITS ANY OF THE IDENTIFIED SYMPTOMS. THE FREE REPLACEMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, WITH NO MILEAGE LIMIT. THE CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON APRIL 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
01V230000 · Electrical System
Jul 9, 2001
ON CERTAIN MY 1996-1998 PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY, CUAUTITLAN ASSEMBLY PLANTS OR ON MY 1999 PASSENGER VEHCLES BUILT AT THE AUTOMOTIVE ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY PLANTS, THE ROUGH SURFACE OF THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR'S STAINLESS STEEL BLADES CAN DAMAGE THE COPPER SURFACE OF THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR. THE DAMAGE COULD, OVER TIME, CAUSE INCREASED RESISTANCE IN THE CONNECTOR AND, DUE TO SUBSEQUENT TERMINAL RELAXATION, RESULT IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE OPEN CIRCUIT COULD LEAD TO ELECTRICAL ARCING THAT COULD MELT THE CONNECTOR HOUSING MATERIAL CREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR AND A NEW WIRE JUMPER HARNESS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 29, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
01V031000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables
Feb 6, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L V6 ENGINES. THE BATTERY CABLE WAS MISROUTED AND ITS ATTACHMENT TO THE ALTERNATOR CABLE WAS UNDER-TORQUED. IF MISROUTED, THE CABLE COULD CONTACT THE POWER STEERING LINE AND THE INSULATION COULD WEAR, RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE SHORT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE, STALLING, OR A NO-START CONDITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BATTERY CABLE TO THE ALTERNATOR FOR DAMAGE AND, IF IT IS DAMAGED, WILL REPLACE THE CABLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE ROUTING OF THE CABLE WILL BE CORRECTED, AS NECESSARY, AND A ROUTING CLIP WILL BE ADDED. ALSO THE TORQUE ON THE ALTERNATOR ATTACHMENT OF THE CABLE WILL BE CHECKED AND, AS REQUIRED, WILL BE TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
01V032000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
Feb 6, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH TERMINALS COULD OVERHEAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE EITHER A LOSS OF BRAKE LAMP FUNCTION OR CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED BRAKE LAMPS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW STOP LAMP EXTENSION HARNESS WITH BRONZE TERMINALS AT THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH CONNECTOR, AND ALSO INSPECT THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH FOR SIGNS OF OVERHEATING AND REPLACE, AS REQUIRED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
00V075000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components
Mar 9, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). A PRESSURE CONSCIOUS REDUCING VALVE (PCRV) IN THE REAR BRAKES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CORROSION AND RESULT IN MALFUNCTION, WHEN OPERATED IN AREAS THAT USE SALT COMPOUNDS ON THE ROADWAY FOR DE-ICING OR DUST CONTROL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF BOTH PCRV'S MALFUNCTION, VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED DURING BRAKING AS A RESULT OF THE REAR WHEELS LOCKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL IMPROVED PCRV'S IN THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS RECALL WAS EXPANDED IN SEPTEMBER 2000 TO INCLUDE 1999 AND 2000 FORD CONTOUR, MERCURY MYSTIQUE AND COUGAR VEHICLES.
99V226000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Aug 18, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DOOR LATCH MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH A LATCH PAWL THAT HAS A COATING WHICH WILL SWELL IN HIGH HUMIDITY CONDITIONS. THE LATCH PAWL MAY THEN STICK IN THE OPEN OR UNLATCHED POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH WHEN CLOSED. IF THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN IN THIS CONDITION, IT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN THE DOOR OPENING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED SIDE DOOR LATCH.
99V194000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Jul 20, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH A BURR ON OR NEAR THE END OF THE CABLE SLEEVE INTERIOR. THIS BURR COULD FRAY THE CORE WIRE RESULTING IN THE ACCELERATOR NOT RETURNING TO IDLE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE THROTTLE STICKING, BINDING, OR CAUSING HIGH ENGINE RPM.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED ACCELERATOR CABLE THAT HAS A FLARED CONDUIT SLEEVE END AND MOLDED ON END FITTING.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA01001 · Blower Switch/resistor Or Wiring Harness
Opened Jan 5, 2001 · Closed Jul 31, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
Electrical System
There is no summary currently available