Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
90–25K
2725–50K
3750–75K
2675–100K
23100–150K
7150K+
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
Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2000
Tires
TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM SIDEWALLS. ONLY SIDEWALLS REMAINED ON WHEEL. DEALER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE TREAD BUT UNCLEAR WHETHER HOLE OCCURRED BEFORE OR AFTER SEPARATION. DO NOT HAVE TIRE BUT HAVE PICTURES. ALSO, SERVICE MANAGER, NICK CALDARON INSPECTED TIRE. AM CONCERNED BECAUSE I HAVE 4 SIMILAR TIRES ON…
Read full complaint
TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM SIDEWALLS. ONLY SIDEWALLS REMAINED ON WHEEL. DEALER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE TREAD BUT UNCLEAR WHETHER HOLE OCCURRED BEFORE OR AFTER SEPARATION. DO NOT HAVE TIRE BUT HAVE PICTURES. ALSO, SERVICE MANAGER, NICK CALDARON INSPECTED TIRE. AM CONCERNED BECAUSE I HAVE 4 SIMILAR TIRES ON CAR NOW.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P215R1689 )
NHTSA ODI #729155
Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2000
Unknown Or Other
THE CAR IN QUESTION WAS MY FIRST COUGAR. IT WAS BOUGHT BACK BY FORD. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE SENT BACK TO THE PLANT TO BE TAKEN APART AND CHECKED OUT. INSTEAD IT WAS SOLD TO NORTHTOWN AND THEY IN TURN SOLD IT TO AN UNSPECTING BUYER. I WAS CALLED ABOUT THE CAR BY AL THE CAR SALESMAN AND HE IN TURN TOLD THE PEOPLE I WAS A PICKY…
Read full complaint
THE CAR IN QUESTION WAS MY FIRST COUGAR. IT WAS BOUGHT BACK BY FORD. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE SENT BACK TO THE PLANT TO BE TAKEN APART AND CHECKED OUT. INSTEAD IT WAS SOLD TO NORTHTOWN AND THEY IN TURN SOLD IT TO AN UNSPECTING BUYER. I WAS CALLED ABOUT THE CAR BY AL THE CAR SALESMAN AND HE IN TURN TOLD THE PEOPLE I WAS A PICKY PERSON! THE PERSON THAT BOUGHT THE CAR CALLED ME TONIGHT AND THEY ARE STILL HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE CAR AND I THINK THEY GOT A RAW DEAL! I TOLD THE CUSTOMER I WOULD HELP HER OUT IN ANY WAY I CAN.
NHTSA ODI #729132
Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2000
Structure
REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WEATHER STRIP RIPPED, AND CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO OPEN DOOR. HAS HAD WEATHER STRIP REPLACED 5 TIMES, ORIGINAL STRIP WAS OKAY. IT WAS JUST LEAKING, BUT THE REPLACEMENT ONES ARE THE ONES THAT KEEP RIPPING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #868680
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2000
Tires
TWO OF THE FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA 20-P215/50R16 TIRES EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION AND BLOWOUTS, ONE INCIDENT CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A CURB. *MJS
NHTSA ODI #553980
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING IN A RAINY CONDITIONS SERPENTINE BELT GETS WET/ WILL LOSE POWER STEERING, LEAVING VEHICLE STUCK.
NHTSA ODI #868350
Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2000
Tires
TREAD ON TIRES STARTED TO SEPARATE FROM TIRE HAD TO RELACE ALL TIRES SENT FIRESTONE AN E-MAIL THEY SENT BACK THE TRUCK TIRE RECALL INFO DID NOT TAKE TO DEALER BECAUSE THEY WOULD HAVE PUT FIRESTONES BACK ON ,I SAVED ONE TIRE THAT WAS DAMAGED( DOT NUMBER: W2UN TIRE SIZE: P205/60RIS )
NHTSA ODI #728600
Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
COMPLETE LOSS OF ALL BRAKES DUE TO "NEVER BEFORE SEEN" EXPLOSION OF ABS MASTER CYLINDER
NHTSA ODI #728003
Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2000
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
ON 8-01-00, WITH A CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROLMAN AS A WITNESS, THE BRAKES ON MY GRAND DAUGHTERS CAR FAILED COMPLETELY (PEDAL TO FLOOR), UPON PUMPING THE PEDAL THE BRAKES THEN LOCKED UP AND THE CAR WENT INTO AN UNCONTROLLED SKID STRIKING A STOPPED VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE AND WE ARE UNSURE OF T…
Read full complaint
ON 8-01-00, WITH A CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROLMAN AS A WITNESS, THE BRAKES ON MY GRAND DAUGHTERS CAR FAILED COMPLETELY (PEDAL TO FLOOR), UPON PUMPING THE PEDAL THE BRAKES THEN LOCKED UP AND THE CAR WENT INTO AN UNCONTROLLED SKID STRIKING A STOPPED VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE AND WE ARE UNSURE OF THE VEHICLE SPEED AT THE TIME OF IMPACT. SHE WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AT THE TIME OF THE INITIAL BRAKE FAILURE. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS INJURED (ALTHOUGH MY GRAND DAUGHTER'S HEAD DID STRIKE THE WINDSHIELD) AND VERY LITTLE DAMAGE WAS DONE TO EITHER VEHICLE. BOTH FRONT TIRES NOW HAVE SEVERE CUTS AND ABRASIONS ACROSS THEIR WIDTH, APPROXIMATELY 6 TO 8 INCHES LONG, WHERE THE NEWLY FORMED GROOVES IN THE HIGHWAY SHREDDED THE TIRES UPON BRAKE LOCKUP. FAILED COMPONENTS: 1) BRAKES - COMPLETE FAILURE, THEN SEVERE LOCKUP. 2) AIR BAGS - NEITHER THE DRIVER NOR PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. 3) SELT BELTS - SEAT BELTS FAILED TO LOCKUP UPON IMPACT. THE CHP OFFICER, WHO WAS SITTING IN THE CONSTRUCTION ZONE AREA, STATED THAT HE SAW THE ENTIRE INCIDENT AND EXPRESSED HIS CONCERN THAT WITH THE SEVERITY OF THE IMPACT THAT THE AIR BAGS HAD NOT DEPLOYED. THE BRAKE ROTORS, CALIPERS AND PADS ON THIS VEHICLE WERE REPLACED AND/OR REBUILT BY FORD UNDER WARRANTY AT 32K MILES. WE HAVE SO FAR BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL IN CONTACTING FORD/MERCURY ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS, AND THE DEALERS SEEM TO BE AT A LOSS ON HOW TO CHECK THE FAILED COMPONENTS. THEIR ATTITUDE IS ONE OF DISBELIEF SINCE THE CARS WERE NOT SEVERLY DAMAGED. WHEN WILL IT HAPPEN AGAIN? *AK
NHTSA ODI #727843
Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2000
Tires
I HAVE HAD TWO (2) SIDE WALL BLOWOUTS ON THE LOWER PART OF THE SIDEWALL NEAR THE TREAD. BOTH INCIDENTS WERE ON CITY STREETS AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ROAD HAZARD OF ANY KIND. THE FIRST INCIDENT THROUGH THE CAR OUT OF CONTROL AND INTO A CURB. NO OTHER CARS WERE INVOLVED. I KEPT THE LAST TIRE, HOWEVER DISCARDED THE FIRST.*AK…
Read full complaint
I HAVE HAD TWO (2) SIDE WALL BLOWOUTS ON THE LOWER PART OF THE SIDEWALL NEAR THE TREAD. BOTH INCIDENTS WERE ON CITY STREETS AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ROAD HAZARD OF ANY KIND. THE FIRST INCIDENT THROUGH THE CAR OUT OF CONTROL AND INTO A CURB. NO OTHER CARS WERE INVOLVED. I KEPT THE LAST TIRE, HOWEVER DISCARDED THE FIRST.*AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P215/50 R1 )
NHTSA ODI #727822
Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2000
Service Brakes, Air
I HAVE REPLACED A SET OF BRAKE PADS ON THE FRONT, THE CALIPERS WERE LOOSE WHEN REPLACED & I HAD TO REPLACE THE ROTOR ON THE RIGHT & THE ROTOR ON THE LEFT NOW NEEDS REPLACED. THIS DOES NOT SEEM LIKE NORMAL WEAR/TEAR. THIS CAR HAS BEEN USED MOSTLY FOR HIGHWAY TRAVEL. THANKS!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
1999 Mercury Cougar Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration