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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

What owners actually said

454 reports
36,000 miles · Apr 18, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V421000 CONCERNING FUEL SYSTEM GASOLINE. DELIVERY. I AM EXPERIENCING THESE EXACT PROBLEMS, WHICH ARE BELIEVED TO BE PRESENT ALSO, BY MY LOCAL DEALER, WHERE I SHOWED THE CAR TO A MERCURY TRAINED MECHANIC. HOWEVER, FORD/MERCURY (RON BLUESTEIN/FORD EXECUTIVE OFFICES, ID # 2170, PHONE 800 521 4140) REFUSED TO COVE…

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RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V421000 CONCERNING FUEL SYSTEM GASOLINE. DELIVERY. I AM EXPERIENCING THESE EXACT PROBLEMS, WHICH ARE BELIEVED TO BE PRESENT ALSO, BY MY LOCAL DEALER, WHERE I SHOWED THE CAR TO A MERCURY TRAINED MECHANIC. HOWEVER, FORD/MERCURY (RON BLUESTEIN/FORD EXECUTIVE OFFICES, ID # 2170, PHONE 800 521 4140) REFUSED TO COVER REPAIRS DUE TO VIN .I STRONGLY DISAGREE AND FELL THAT MY CAR'S SAFETY WAS IN QUESTION. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, CONTAMINATION OF THE FILTER IN THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) COULD REDUCE, AND EVENTUALLY BLOCK THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE. THIS MAY CAUSE ENGINE HESITATION, LOSS OF POWER, SURGING, AND OTHER SIMILAR SYMPTOMS. SOMETIME, THE FILTER MAY BECOME SUFFICIENTLY BLOCKED TO CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10118048

75,000 miles · Mar 11, 2005
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH TRANSMISSION GEAR BLOCK BLEWOUT. THIS CAUSED HEAVY VIBRATION IN THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10115023

42,000 miles · Mar 5, 2005
Power Train

I OWN A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR WHICH CURRENTLY HAS 5700 MILES. THE FLYWHEEL HAS FAILED ,RESULTING IN COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE STARTER AND FLYWHEEL. THE PROBLEM BEGAN MORE THAN A YEAR AGO BUT WAS SO INTERMITTENT THAT MY MECHANIC COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM IN ORDER TO DIAGNOSE. AT THIS TIME THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED. …

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I OWN A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR WHICH CURRENTLY HAS 5700 MILES. THE FLYWHEEL HAS FAILED ,RESULTING IN COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE STARTER AND FLYWHEEL. THE PROBLEM BEGAN MORE THAN A YEAR AGO BUT WAS SO INTERMITTENT THAT MY MECHANIC COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM IN ORDER TO DIAGNOSE. AT THIS TIME THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED. DAMAGED PARTS WILL BE RETAINED FOR FUTURE INSPECTION IF NEEDED. I CONDUCTED A WEBSEARCH AND FOUND A WEBSITE WHICH CONTAINED MANY OTHER OWNERS OF 99 COUGARS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, EVEN AT THE SAME APPROX. MILEAGE. THE WEBSITE IS LOCATED AT: ://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWCOMMENTS_REVIEW_5988.HTML. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10112584

54,000 miles · Feb 23, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE/SURGE FORWARD BEFORE STALLING. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP WILL BE NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10112913

Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE ,THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE COMPUTER CODE NEEDED TO BE RESET AND RESET IT TWICE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. …

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WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE ,THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE COMPUTER CODE NEEDED TO BE RESET AND RESET IT TWICE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB *TC

NHTSA ODI #10108784

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2005
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DO SO. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REPLACED THEM. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10110994

39,000 miles · Jan 5, 2005
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION AXLE LIGHT IS ON AND THE DASHBOARD SAYS ODOMETR OFF THEN THE TRANSMISSION AXLE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR SHIFTS HARD. THIS HAPPENED AT 49,000 MILES THE DEALER SAID I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I REPLACED TRANSMISSION, AND NOW AT 75,000 MILES THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING. THIS SEEMS TO BE LIKE THERE IS SOM…

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THE TRANSMISSION AXLE LIGHT IS ON AND THE DASHBOARD SAYS ODOMETR OFF THEN THE TRANSMISSION AXLE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR SHIFTS HARD. THIS HAPPENED AT 49,000 MILES THE DEALER SAID I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I REPLACED TRANSMISSION, AND NOW AT 75,000 MILES THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING. THIS SEEMS TO BE LIKE THERE IS SOME DEFECTIVE PROBLEM GOING ON. I WAS VERY UPSET THAT THE WARRANTY DIDN'T COVER THIS AS IT HAPPENED OVER 36,000 MILES BUT I REFUSE TO HAVE TO AGAIN PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR ANOTHER TRANSMISSION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10105809

69,500 miles · Nov 29, 2004
Visibility

MY BLOWER FAN QUIT WORKING ON ANYTHING BUT HIGH. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE FOUND THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR HAD GONE OUT AND IT MELTED THE CONNECTOR. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL PROGRAM FOR 1999 MERCURY COUGERS 01S22. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10100728

78,000 miles · Nov 22, 2004
Exterior LightingPower Train

THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF GEAR WHEN THE BRAKE WERE BEING APPLIED. ALSO, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. *AK THE SWITCH HAD BECOME HOT AND MELTED PLASTIC FROM THE HOUSING AROUND METAL CONNECTOR PRONE. *SC…

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THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF GEAR WHEN THE BRAKE WERE BEING APPLIED. ALSO, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. *AK THE SWITCH HAD BECOME HOT AND MELTED PLASTIC FROM THE HOUSING AROUND METAL CONNECTOR PRONE. *SC

NHTSA ODI #10097594

19,000 miles · Sep 28, 2004
Visibility

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A SUN ROOF PROBLEM. WHEN THE BUTTON WAS PUSHED TO RAISE THE ROOF IT WENT OFF THE TRACK. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO WAS NOT STANDING BEHIND ITS PRODUCT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10094494

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