NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
50 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jun 4, 2004
Electrical SystemEquipmentExterior Lighting
MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. *MR THE VEHICLE DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC ON THREE OCCASIONS. THERE WERE ALTERNATOR AND FUEL PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A CREDITED AMOUNT OF FUNDS AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE BATTERY, BRAKES AND ADDITIONAL EXPENSES. OTHER PROBLEM ARE AS FOLLOWED: THE NEW WHEELS WERE D…
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MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. *MR THE VEHICLE DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC ON THREE OCCASIONS. THERE WERE ALTERNATOR AND FUEL PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A CREDITED AMOUNT OF FUNDS AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE BATTERY, BRAKES AND ADDITIONAL EXPENSES. OTHER PROBLEM ARE AS FOLLOWED: THE NEW WHEELS WERE DEFECTIVE (CORRODED AND FROZEN), THE BRAKE SENSOR SNAPPED OFF OF THE WHEEL, THE CD PLAYER WAS SKIPPING, THE HATCH WOULD NOT RELEASE PROPERLY, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE, THE KEYLESS ENTRY WITH ANTI-THEFT WAS INOPERATIVE, THERE WAS ROUGH IDLE, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD STICK, THE CUP HOLDER DID NOT SHUT, THE HOOD WOULD NOT OPEN, AND THE LIGHTS WOULD DIM AND OR BRIGHTEN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10075877
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 · Mar 20, 2004
Electrical SystemPower Train
REPEATED ISSUES ON VARIOUS DATES. PROBLEM 1: THE VEHICLE ALARM WILL RANDOMLY ACTIVATE ITSELF. IT WILL GO THROUGH IT'S 5 MINUTE ALARM PROCESS AND THEN SHUTS ITSELF DOWN. THEN ANYWHERE FROM 3 TO 10 MINUTES LATTER IT WILL SET ITSELF OFF AGAIN. IT DOES NOT MATTER THE LOCATION OF THE VEHICLE SO THAT COULD RULE OUT INTERFERENCE.…
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REPEATED ISSUES ON VARIOUS DATES. PROBLEM 1: THE VEHICLE ALARM WILL RANDOMLY ACTIVATE ITSELF. IT WILL GO THROUGH IT'S 5 MINUTE ALARM PROCESS AND THEN SHUTS ITSELF DOWN. THEN ANYWHERE FROM 3 TO 10 MINUTES LATTER IT WILL SET ITSELF OFF AGAIN. IT DOES NOT MATTER THE LOCATION OF THE VEHICLE SO THAT COULD RULE OUT INTERFERENCE. PROBLEM 2: BATTERY LAMP ILLUMINATES IN THE HIGHER RPM RANGE AND BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR HAVE BEEN CHECKED TO BE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. PROBLEM 3: THERE IS A LOUD POPPING SOUND FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEN THE CAR SHIFTS TO 2ND GEAR AT FULL THROTTLE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10062672
98,000 miles · Sep 5, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
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 BOU…
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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. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10037305
60,000 miles · Aug 27, 2003
Power Train
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY IN FORWARD. REVERSE STILL WORKS. SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS NOTING A DEFECT IN THE TRANNY HAVE BEEN POSTED. CAR HAD 60K ON IT AND HAD REGULAR TRANSMISSION SERVICES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10036703
92,373 miles · Aug 11, 2003
Electrical SystemPower Train
VEHICLE WILL ONLY GO INTO REVERES GEAR. DEALER INDICATED THIS WAS CAUSED BY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ELECTRICAL FAILURE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10033538
32,000 miles · Feb 28, 2003
Power Train
THE VEHICLE DID NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY, IT HESITATED AND SURGED WHEN ACCELERATED TO PASS OTHER VEHICLE'S, AND THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS INDICATING A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. SCC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10009065
59,000 miles · Jan 8, 2003
Power Train
THE CONSUMER BEGUN TO DRIVE, WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN 3RD GEAR, IT DID NOT. SHE HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT SHE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED WITH LESS THAN 60K MILES. TS THE LOWELL DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A MAZDA TRANSM…
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THE CONSUMER BEGUN TO DRIVE, WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN 3RD GEAR, IT DID NOT. SHE HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT SHE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED WITH LESS THAN 60K MILES. TS THE LOWELL DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A MAZDA TRANSMISSION, AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT WITH A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER. SCC
NHTSA ODI #10002405
Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2002
Air BagsElectrical SystemPower Train
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 …
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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 ODI #10000023
42,000 miles · Dec 9, 2002
Power Train
CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE JUMPED IN AND OUT OF GEAR ON ITS OWN, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. TS *JB
NHTSA ODI #8023984
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 ↗