NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Latches/locks/linkages complaints
15 reportsClear category filter136,000 miles · Mar 17, 2009
Latches/locks/linkages
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LATCH PAWL STICKS IN THE OPEN OR UNLATCHED POSITION. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE DOOR DOES NOT LATCH WHEN CLOSED. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DOOR OPENS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V226000 (LATCHES/…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LATCH PAWL STICKS IN THE OPEN OR UNLATCHED POSITION. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE DOOR DOES NOT LATCH WHEN CLOSED. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DOOR OPENS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V226000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH); THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000. UPDATED 7/9/09 *CN UPDATED 07/17/09.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10262136
146,000 miles · Mar 15, 2007
Latches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. THE FRONT AND DRIVER'S DOOR LATCH STUCK ON THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE DOORS NOT TO CLOSE PROPERLY. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN THE PASSENGER'S DOOR CAME OPEN. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCH STUCK THE CURRENT VEHICLE AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 1460…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. THE FRONT AND DRIVER'S DOOR LATCH STUCK ON THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE DOORS NOT TO CLOSE PROPERLY. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN THE PASSENGER'S DOOR CAME OPEN. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCH STUCK THE CURRENT VEHICLE AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 146000. *AK UPDATED 04/05/07. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10185203
Mileage unknown · May 9, 2005
Latches/locks/linkages
IN AUGUST OF 2004, THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR ON MY 1999 MERCURY COUGAR BECAME STUCK IN THE CLOSED POSITION AND THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS WERE DISABLED. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE DOOR LATCH FOR THIS VEHICLE (RECALL 99V226000). HIGH HUMIDITY HAD CAUSED DAMAGED TO THE DOOR LATCHES, WHICH WERE REPLACED AS A RESULT OF THE RECALL. TH…
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IN AUGUST OF 2004, THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR ON MY 1999 MERCURY COUGAR BECAME STUCK IN THE CLOSED POSITION AND THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS WERE DISABLED. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE DOOR LATCH FOR THIS VEHICLE (RECALL 99V226000). HIGH HUMIDITY HAD CAUSED DAMAGED TO THE DOOR LATCHES, WHICH WERE REPLACED AS A RESULT OF THE RECALL. THE DAY MY CAR DOOR BECAME STUCK IN THE CLOSED POSITION HAD HIGHS CLOSE TO 100 DEGREES, WHICH I BELIEVE WAS THE CAUSE OF THIS MALFUNCTION. I WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER OF MY VEHICLE THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED BY THE TIME MY VEHICLE WAS BUILT. HOWEVER THE RECALL TOOK PLACE 7 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN 1999.
NHTSA ODI #10120452
Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2004
Fuel System, GasolineLatches/locks/linkages
THERE IS A PIN IN MY PASSENGER DOOR THAT FALLS OUT EVERY FEW MONTHS OR SO. (ABOUT 3-5 TIMES SINCE IT FIRST HAPPENED) WE JUST HOLD THE DOOR UP AND HAMMER THE PIN BACK INTO PLACE WHEN IT HAPPENS AND IT STAYS FOR A FEW MONTHS. WE'VE TRIED A FEW DIFFERENT KINDS OF CLIPS TO HOLD IT IN PLACE TO NO AVAIL. THE DOOR FALLS 1/2 WAY OFF…
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THERE IS A PIN IN MY PASSENGER DOOR THAT FALLS OUT EVERY FEW MONTHS OR SO. (ABOUT 3-5 TIMES SINCE IT FIRST HAPPENED) WE JUST HOLD THE DOOR UP AND HAMMER THE PIN BACK INTO PLACE WHEN IT HAPPENS AND IT STAYS FOR A FEW MONTHS. WE'VE TRIED A FEW DIFFERENT KINDS OF CLIPS TO HOLD IT IN PLACE TO NO AVAIL. THE DOOR FALLS 1/2 WAY OFF AND JUST HANGS THERE. IT HASN'T HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING...JUST WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED AND A PASSENGER OPENS THE DOOR. THE CAR WAS ALSO SOLD TO ME WITH A BAD BEARING ON THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE...NOT SURE IF THAT'S NORMAL EITHER AROUND 40,000 MILES. ALSO, MY FUEL PUMP BURNED OUT AROUND 46,000 MILES...NOT SURE IF THAT'S NORMAL FOR A CAR OR NOT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10074972
Mileage unknown · May 26, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
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 F…
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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! *NM
NHTSA ODI #10073212
Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkages
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S TRUNK COMING UNLATCHED FROM THE INSIDE. *MR THE HORN WAS ALSO INOPERATIVE, THE VEHICLE STALLED, AND THERE WAS A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH THE BLOWER/FAN. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIR COST OF THE BLOWER. *SCC THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR, HOWEVER THE…
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PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S TRUNK COMING UNLATCHED FROM THE INSIDE. *MR THE HORN WAS ALSO INOPERATIVE, THE VEHICLE STALLED, AND THERE WAS A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH THE BLOWER/FAN. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIR COST OF THE BLOWER. *SCC THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10026972
Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2002
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineInterior Lighting
I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN 4 DIFFERENT TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE CAR BOAGS DOWN AND STALLS WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO STALL IN TRAFFIC SEVERAL TIMES. THE PROBLEM HAS STILL NOT BEEN FIXED IN THE 4 TIMES I'VE TAKEN IT IN. NOT TO MENTION ALL THE OTHER SMALL THINGS.CONSTANT RATTLE IN THE DASH AND WINDOWS, BATTER…
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I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN 4 DIFFERENT TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE CAR BOAGS DOWN AND STALLS WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO STALL IN TRAFFIC SEVERAL TIMES. THE PROBLEM HAS STILL NOT BEEN FIXED IN THE 4 TIMES I'VE TAKEN IT IN. NOT TO MENTION ALL THE OTHER SMALL THINGS.CONSTANT RATTLE IN THE DASH AND WINDOWS, BATTERY LIGHT STUCK ON, TRUNK WILL NOT UNLATCH, AND THE DASH LIGHTS WILL SURGE EVEN AFTER I'VE HAD THE DASH REPLACED. I AM VERY UPSET WITH THIS CAR AND EVEN MORE WITH THE LACK OF SERVICE BEING PROVIDED BY THE DEALERSHIP!
NHTSA ODI #757900
Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2001
Latches/locks/linkages
COULD TRY TO OPEN TRUNK FROM INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, BUT TRUNK WILL NOT UNLATCH. CONSUMER WILL NEED TO OPEN TRUNK WITH KEY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #880158
Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2000
Latches/locks/linkagesService Brakes, HydraulicVisibility
IVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR SINCE I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT ALMOST EVERY MONTH IT IS IN THE SHOP FOR THE SAME REASONS FIRST THE RADIO HAS BEEN FIXED TWICE AND THEN FINALLY REPLACED THE SPEAKERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND THAT HAS YET TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM, MY TRUNK RELEASE ON MY CAR HAS BEEN WORKED ON ATLEAST 4 TIMES AND THEY STILL …
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IVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR SINCE I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT ALMOST EVERY MONTH IT IS IN THE SHOP FOR THE SAME REASONS FIRST THE RADIO HAS BEEN FIXED TWICE AND THEN FINALLY REPLACED THE SPEAKERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND THAT HAS YET TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM, MY TRUNK RELEASE ON MY CAR HAS BEEN WORKED ON ATLEAST 4 TIMES AND THEY STILL THINK IT IS NOT A PROBLEM BUT THEY DONT OPEN IT EVERY DAY EITHER, STARTING IN JANUARY OF 2000 I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP 6 OR MORE TIMES COMPLAINING ABOUT THE BRAKES AND EVERY TIME THEY WORKED ON IT THEY SAID ALL BRAKES PULSATE AND SQUEEK A LITTLE BUT LOW AND BEHOLD A RECALL LETTER SUPRISED ME IN THE MAIL TODAY, MY SUNROOF WAS IN THE SHOP DONT KNOW THE DATE BECAUSE IT WAS SQUEEKING AND THE PANEL THAT SURROUND THE KEYS WAS LOOSE THEY"FIXED" BUT THE DAY I GOT IT OUT OF THE SHOP FOR GETTING THE RADIO REPLACED THE SUNROOF QUIT TOTALLY, JUST TALKED TO THEM TODAY AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM IT APPEARS THAT THE WIRING IN THE SUNROOF IT WORN OUT I ASKED IF THIS WAS NORMAL FOR A CAR THAT WAS A YEAR OLD AND THEY SAID IT WAS JUST FROM BEING OPENED AND CLOSED BUT IM SORRY ITS ONLY A YEAR OLD THEY SAID IT IS A 1200.00 DOLLAR PROBLEM TO FIX WITHOUT LABOR AND COULDNT GARUANTEE THAT IT WOULDNT HAVE TO BE REPLACED NEXT YEAR AGAIN . THE ALARM SYSTEM RANDOMLY GOES OFF AND WONT SHUT OFF ITS ACTUALLY CALLED A PANIC SYSTEM BUT GOES OFF LIKE AN ALARM SYSTEM AFTER ASKING OTHER COUGAR OWNERS ABOUT THEIRS AND COMPARING NOTES LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE ALL HAD THE SAME THINGS GOING WRONG EXCEPT A FRIEND OF MINE HAS ALREADY HAD HER ENGINE REBUILT AT 20,000 MILES ------HELP ME BEFORE MINE GOES OUT TO. THANK YOU
NHTSA ODI #734280
Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2000
Latches/locks/linkagesService Brakes, HydraulicSteering
CAR SOUNDS LIKE IT IS FALLING APART WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, STEERING MAKES LOUD SOUND WHEN BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE, TRUNK WON'T OPEN UNLESS HIT NUMEROUS TIMES FROM REMOTE OR INSIDE.
NHTSA ODI #718229
Official recalls
7Aug 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗