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1999 Mercury Cougar

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Power Train complaints

50 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2001
EquipmentPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

CAR LEASED IN 1999. SINCE THEN THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS, THE RADIO SHORTING OUT, 2 SAME SIDE/TIRE BLOW OUTS, TROUBLE LIGHTS AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, BRAKE NOISE AND ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. IN EACH AND EVERY CASE THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN "WE CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM" HENCE, NO FIXES. WARRENTY EXPIRED NOW THE ALTERNATE…

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CAR LEASED IN 1999. SINCE THEN THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS, THE RADIO SHORTING OUT, 2 SAME SIDE/TIRE BLOW OUTS, TROUBLE LIGHTS AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, BRAKE NOISE AND ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. IN EACH AND EVERY CASE THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN "WE CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM" HENCE, NO FIXES. WARRENTY EXPIRED NOW THE ALTERNATER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED? COMMENT FROM SERVICE DEPARTMENT "IT MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE". ???

NHTSA ODI #739526

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2000
Power Train

WHEN I ORIGINALLY REPORTED THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING THEY SAID IT WAS FINE, DRIVING AT 80MPH AND HAVING YOUR CAR DROP TO 20MPH THEN 45MPH THEN 60MPH BACK TO 20MPH ON THE FREEWAY IS QUITE NERVE RACKING, IF THIS WAS DURING COMMUTE TRAFFIC I WOULD OF BEEN KILLED.

NHTSA ODI #734631

Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2000
Power TrainCrashInjury

I WAS DRIVING DOWN AN INTERSTATE ROAD ON THE MORNING OF JULY 3RD 2000. A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF RAIN HAD FALLEN ON THE ROAD AND IT WAS STILL RAINING SLIGHTLY THE SECTION OF THE ROAD THAT I WAS ON WAS COMPLETELY STRAIGHT. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE DOING ABOUT 55MPH ON THE 65MPH ROAD WHEN I FELT THE CAR LURCH AND BEGIN TO TURN TOWARD…

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN AN INTERSTATE ROAD ON THE MORNING OF JULY 3RD 2000. A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF RAIN HAD FALLEN ON THE ROAD AND IT WAS STILL RAINING SLIGHTLY THE SECTION OF THE ROAD THAT I WAS ON WAS COMPLETELY STRAIGHT. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE DOING ABOUT 55MPH ON THE 65MPH ROAD WHEN I FELT THE CAR LURCH AND BEGIN TO TURN TOWARD THE LEFT. I LOOKED DOWN AT MY INSTRUMENT PANEL AND NOTICED THAT MY TACHOMETER WAS ON ZERO AND MY WARNING LIGHTS WERE ALL ON. THE CAR STARTED TO SPIN COUNTERCLOCKWISE VERY QUICKLY AND CROSSED OVER THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC WHERE IT FINALLY CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. I WAS FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN THE CAR FINALLY SETTLED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #725466

Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2000
Power Train

THERE IS A HUMMING NOISE IN THE TRANSMISSION THAT WON'T GO AWAY. ALSO, THERE IS A CLANKING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #864509

Mileage unknown · May 21, 2000
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #722972

Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2000
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 70 VEHICLE WILL DOWNSHIFT ON ITS OWN. IF A VEHICLE WAS BEHIND IT MAY HAVE BEEN RUNNED OVER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #859432

Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2000
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesPower Train

TRANSMISSION SURGES AND HESITATES UPON ACCELLERATION CAUSING UNEXPECTED INCREASES IN SPEED; REAR HATCH WILL NOT OPEN; BRAKES STILL GRIND AFTER REPLACEMENT; AFTER DOOR LATCHES REPLACED, CAR NOW MAKES WHINING NOICE; STARTER REPLACEMENT MAKES HIGH PITCHED NOISE; COOLANT LIGHT COMES ON--DEALER'S SOLUTION IS TO OVERFILL COOLANT LEVEL…

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TRANSMISSION SURGES AND HESITATES UPON ACCELLERATION CAUSING UNEXPECTED INCREASES IN SPEED; REAR HATCH WILL NOT OPEN; BRAKES STILL GRIND AFTER REPLACEMENT; AFTER DOOR LATCHES REPLACED, CAR NOW MAKES WHINING NOICE; STARTER REPLACEMENT MAKES HIGH PITCHED NOISE; COOLANT LIGHT COMES ON--DEALER'S SOLUTION IS TO OVERFILL COOLANT LEVEL.

NHTSA ODI #717908

Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 1999
EquipmentInterior LightingPower Train

WITHIN ONE MONTH OF OWNERSHIP BRAKES AND ROTORS FAILED (MAY 5, 1999) AND AGAIN IN (JULY 1999). MJS

NHTSA ODI #548141

Mileage unknown · May 28, 1999
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING. NLM

NHTSA ODI #782379

Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 1998
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN TWICE (2 TIMES FOR BRAKE & TRANSMISSION SERVICE) NONE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE, HAD HAVE BEEN CORRECTED. MY BRAKES STILL SCRUB & MY TRANSMISSION STILL BUCKS, AFTER THESE RETURNS FOR SERVICE. I AM VERY UNHAPPY ABOUT THE WAY MY CAR IS RUNNING. ESPECIALLY THE BRAKES WHICH ARE MAKING ME WORRY. I HAVE HAD…

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I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN TWICE (2 TIMES FOR BRAKE & TRANSMISSION SERVICE) NONE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE, HAD HAVE BEEN CORRECTED. MY BRAKES STILL SCRUB & MY TRANSMISSION STILL BUCKS, AFTER THESE RETURNS FOR SERVICE. I AM VERY UNHAPPY ABOUT THE WAY MY CAR IS RUNNING. ESPECIALLY THE BRAKES WHICH ARE MAKING ME WORRY. I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN ON 9/17/1998 AND 12/2/98 FOR THESE PROBLEMS, AMONG OTHER PROBLEMS, AND THE BRAKES AND TRANZMISSION PROBLEMS STILL EXIST. I AM NOT VERY HAPPY WITH MY 1999 MERCURY COUGAR AND I WILL NOT BUY ONE AGAIN, UNLESS I KNOW THAT FORD HAS PUT THEIR BEST IN THIS CAR. SINCERELY, ADRIA L. PERSON

NHTSA ODI #701618

Official recalls

7

04V421000 · 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

1

EA01001 · 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