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

65,000 miles · Jul 10, 2003

Air Bags

THE CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE, TOOK THE KEY OUT FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND AT THAT MOMENT, THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *AK *TS *JB

NHTSA ODI #10022848

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…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10026972

Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2003

Engine And Engine Cooling

THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED. CHAPMAN FORD FIXED ONE OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS, BUT THE SYSTEM MAY STILL BE FAILING. *AK THE VEHICLE CONTAINED A ROTTEN EGG SMELL. *CB *JB

NHTSA ODI #10021808

45,000 miles · Jun 17, 2003

Steering

POWER RACK AND PINION LEAKAGE OCCURRED AND RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WARRANTY 3 YRS. OR 36,000 MI. HAD EXPIRED ACCORDING TO DEALER. $800.00 AND 15 MONTHS LATER A "CLUNKING" NOISE IS COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL DURING PARKING MANEUVERS. APPARENTLY, THEY ONLY WARRANTY THE PART FOR 12 MONTHS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10023225

64,000 miles · Jun 15, 2003

Air BagsInjury

Read full complaint

PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAD DEPLOYS IN A PARKED CAR CAUSING INJURY AND DAMAGE WORTH $3,500 AND FORD REFUSES TO PAY FOR IT. ON 31ST MAY 2003, WE WENT TO THE LIBRARY TO DROP OFF OUR BOOKS. WE PARKED OUR CAR, AND I GOT DOWN TO DROP THE BOOKS. MY WIFE, WHO WAS SITTING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TURNED AROUND TO PICK MORE OF THE BOOKS FROM THE BACK SEAT AND HER SIDE AIR BAG BLEW OUT. SHE BROUGHT HER HAND FORWARD TO COVER HER FACE AND WAS HIT BY THE BLOWN AIR BAG. AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED. THE CAR IS A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT AND WE HAD TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. PER, FIRE DEPARTMENT CAPTAIN, THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS CASE BEFORE. LUCKILY, THE SMOKE WAS JUST THE AIR BAG POWDER. SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. AIR BAG COVER HIT THE WINDSHIELD, WHICH CRACKED THE WHOLE WINDSHIELD. THE FORCE OF DEPLOYMENT ALSO POPPED OUT AIR VENT AND THE DASHBOARD. WHEN WE CALLED UP FORD, THEY ASKED US TO CLAIM IT THROUGH OUR INSURANCE. BUT WHEN WE TOLD THEM THAT IT DID NOT MAKE SENSE THEY TOLD US SEND THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER WHERE THEY CAN RUN DIAGNOSTICS. CURRENT MILEAGE IS AROUND 64,000. FORD SAYS THAT ONE OF THE MODULES WAS FAULTY AND ALSO THIS MODULE HAS WARRANTY OF 5 YEARS OR 50,000 MILES. BUT THIS WAS NOT MENTIONED IN ANY OF THEIR SERVICE MANUALS. ALSO NOBODY POINTED THIS OUT WHEN THE CAR HAD THE FORD RECOMMENDED 60,000-MILE MAINTENANCE AND CHECK WE ALSO MADE REPEATED CALLS TO FORD, TO GIVE US IN WRITING THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED DUE TO FAULTY UNIT. BUT THEY ARE REFUSING TO DO SO. PROGRESSIVE, OUR INSURANCE AGENT HAS SAID THEY CANNOT COVER IT AND THAT WE HAVE TO TALK TO FORD (THEY DID SAY THAT IF THIS INCIDENT CAUSED A COLLISION, THEY WOULD HAVE PAID FOR IT). FORD SAYS THIS IS OUT OF WARRANTY. HOW DO WE COME TO KNOW WHICH PART IS GOING TO COST US IN FUTURE BECAUSE IT HAS RUN OUT OF WARRANTY, IF NOBODY POINTS OUT THE PROBLEM DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10023104

40,000 miles · Jun 4, 2003

Fuel System, Other

THERE IS A RECALL ON THE GAS TANK AS BEING LOOSE. THIS IS CAUSING THE NOZZLE NOT TO GO IN SMOOTHLY, AND THE PUMP KEEPS SHUTTING OFF. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10022335

40,000 miles · Jun 4, 2003

Fuel System, Gasoline

WHEN FILLING UP THE GAS NOZZLE GAS KEEPS SHUTTING OFF, AND ITS VERY DIFFICULT TO PUT NOZZLE IN AND OUT OF NECK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10022331

61,000 miles · May 22, 2003

Engine And Engine Cooling

IMRC (INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNER CONTROL) UNIT SEEMS TO HAVE USED INSUFFICIENT CABLE STRENGTH. FAULTY DESIGN CAUSED THE CABLE TO FRAY INSIDE THE UNIT EVENTUALLY BREAKING. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10019146

Mileage unknown · May 19, 2003

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Read full complaint

I OWN A 99 MERCURY COUGAR, ORIGINAL OWNER. MY HUSBAND CHANGED THE FRONT BRAKES AND FOUND THE SENSOR WAS MISSING ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. MY HUSBAND CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND SPOKE TO ONE OF THE TECH'S, HE SAID ALL 4 WHEELS SHOULD HAVE A SENSOR. WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR THERE TODAY THE SERVICE WRITER TOLD ME THE TECH COMPARED IT TO ANOTHER COUGAR AND FOUND NO SENSOR ON THE RIGHT FRONT. IF A COUGAR HAS ABS THERE WILL NOT BE ANY SENSORS, SO WHO KNOWS WHAT HE WAS COMPARING IT TO. NO BRAKES WEAR EVEN. THE ONLY WAY I WILL BE HAPPY IF SOMEONE SENDS ME A PICTURE OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. MY HUSBAND HAS BEEN A TRUCK AND CAR TECH. FOR 30 YEARS AND HE SAID ALL FOUR WHEELS SHOULD HAVE A SENSOR. WHO ARE THEY KIDDING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10018946

Mileage unknown · May 15, 2003

Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE ENGINE PISTON LOCKED UP AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BLOW. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10019965

Official recalls

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

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