IllustrationVEHICLE BEEN EXPERIENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH UNNECESSARY NOISE. WHENEVER BRAKES WERE APPLIED IN A SUDDEN STOP, IT RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON SEVEN OCCASIONS. THIS ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL VEHICLE COLLISIONS. *AK
1999 Mercury Cougar
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cougar years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsVEHICLE LESS THAN 6 MONTHS OLD, PROBLEMS WITH BOTH WINDOWS/DOORS. AIR LEAKS FROM BOTH WINDOWS, DOESN'T SEAL PROPERLY, SOUNDS LIKE THE WINDOW IS DOWN SLIGHTLY. DRIVER WINDOW MAKING SQUEAKING NOISE GOING UP AND DOWN AND A CLICKING NOISE IN BOTH DOORS WHEN HITTING SLIGHT BUMPS, BRAKES SQUEALING, DEFECT IN PAINT, AIR VENT SYSTEM, W…
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VEHICLE LESS THAN 6 MONTHS OLD, PROBLEMS WITH BOTH WINDOWS/DOORS. AIR LEAKS FROM BOTH WINDOWS, DOESN'T SEAL PROPERLY, SOUNDS LIKE THE WINDOW IS DOWN SLIGHTLY. DRIVER WINDOW MAKING SQUEAKING NOISE GOING UP AND DOWN AND A CLICKING NOISE IN BOTH DOORS WHEN HITTING SLIGHT BUMPS, BRAKES SQUEALING, DEFECT IN PAINT, AIR VENT SYSTEM, WHEN YOU PUT THE DIAL TO ONLY THE FLOOR AIR STILL COMES OUT OF THE UPPER VENTS. I HAVE HAD THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES. EACH TIME THEY TRIED TO REPAIR THE WINDOWS THEY HAVE CREATED ANOTHER PROBLEM SOMEWHERE ELSE IN THE CAR. THE WINDOWS ARE STILL NOT REPAIRED PROPERLY. THEY REPLACED THE DRIVERSIDE WINDOW, INSIDE DRIVER DOOR PANEL TAKEN OFF AT LEAST 12 OR MORE TIMES, PASSENGER SIDE AT LEAST 4. DASHBOARD TAKEN OUT AT LEAST 4 TIMES AND THEY ARE NOW ORDERING A NEW DASH. THE NOISE IN THE DASH AND NOW THE FAN WAS NOT THERE WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE THE FIRST TIME. I BELIVE THE CAR HAD SOME FACTORY DEFECTS WHICH WERE NOT REPAIRABLE THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP, THIS HAS CAUSED ADDITIONAL PROBMES WITH MY CAR. AT THIS TIME I FEEL I AM BEING FORCED TO PAY FOR A NEW CAR WHICH HAS BEEN TAKEN APART SEVERAL TIMES AND PUT BACK TOGETHER. I FEEL I AM PAYING A NEW CAR PRICE FOR WHAT IS NOW A USED VECHICLE. I AM GOING TO FORD TO REQUEST A BUY BACK OF THE CAR, HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE DEFECTS IN THE WINDOWS/DOORS IN THE FIRST PLACE, THAT ARE OBVIOUSLY NOT REPAIRABLE MY CAR WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN PICKED APART. SINCE THE DASH HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT SEVERAL TIMES WHEN YOU GO OVER A BUMP YOU CAN SEE THE DASH SHAKE AS WELL AS RATTLE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE WILL RACE TO VERY HIGH RPMS, AND THEN COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN WITHOUT WARNING. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS TURNED ON. IT FAILED TO COOL INSIDE OF VEHICLE, NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE TRUNK FAILS TO LOCK WHEN CLOSED. THE LOCKING MECHANISM IS NOT HOLDING THE LATCH . WOULD NEED TO JIGGLE THE IGNITION KEY IN THE SWITCH BEFORE IT STARTS. THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SLIDES BACK & FORTH WITHOUT LOCKING INTO PLACE. WHILE BA…
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THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS TURNED ON. IT FAILED TO COOL INSIDE OF VEHICLE, NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE TRUNK FAILS TO LOCK WHEN CLOSED. THE LOCKING MECHANISM IS NOT HOLDING THE LATCH . WOULD NEED TO JIGGLE THE IGNITION KEY IN THE SWITCH BEFORE IT STARTS. THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SLIDES BACK & FORTH WITHOUT LOCKING INTO PLACE. WHILE BACKING UP VEHICLE, IT WOULD MAKE LOUD NOISES FROM THE FRONT END NEAR WHEELS. *AK
IGNITION SWITCH FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF AND SMOKE TO COME FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. MJS
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 44MPH AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN INJURIES. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
DRIVER AND PASSENGER POWER WINDOWS DO NOT SEAL WHEN DOORS ARE CLOSED; MUST OFTEN POWER WINDOWS DOWN AND BACK UP TO PROPERLY CLOSE. DEALER "CORRECTED" RATTLING DRIVER WINDOW ON ITS TRACK, BUT BOTH WINDOWS STILL FAIL TO CLOSE OR SEAL PROPERLY.
REMOTE TRUNK LID RELEASE DOES NOT RELEASE TRUNK LID; MUST STILL USE KEY TO OPEN. DEALER REPLACED SPRING BUT LID STILL DOES NOT RELEASE WITHOUT KEY. SUSPECT DESIGN FLAW FROM MANUFACTURER.
BRAND NEW VEHICLE THAT IS 5 MONTHS OLD AND HAS LESS THAN 8,000 MILES WITH FULL GAS TANK AND NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER SUDDENLY THE CAR SHOOK, AND SPUTTERED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE DIED AND HAD TO BE TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN AT THE DEALER FOR 5 DAYS AND THEY DETERMINED IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP AND REPLACED IT…
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BRAND NEW VEHICLE THAT IS 5 MONTHS OLD AND HAS LESS THAN 8,000 MILES WITH FULL GAS TANK AND NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER SUDDENLY THE CAR SHOOK, AND SPUTTERED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE DIED AND HAD TO BE TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN AT THE DEALER FOR 5 DAYS AND THEY DETERMINED IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP AND REPLACED IT. FOUR DAYS AFTER GETTING THE VEHICLE BACK WHILE ALONE IN THE CAR ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK LATE IN THE EVENING, THE CAR AGAIN SUDDENLY STARTED TO SPUTTER, AND SHAKE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN THE CAR DIED AGAIN. WILL NOW HAVE TO BE TOWED INTO THE DEALER AGAIN. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE AND FRIGHTENING THAT WE HAVE A BRAND NEW VEHICLE WHICH WE ARE NOW WITHOUT FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE THANKSGIVING WEEKEND TO GO ANYWHERE AS THE DEALER IS CLOSED AND HAVE TO WORRY WHETHER OR NOT WILL SUDDENLY GET STRANDED LATE AT NIGHT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE FAILS WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE SITUATION.
CAR DIED @ 50MPH. CONTROL OF CAR LOST IMMEDIATELY. COULD BARELY GET CAR OFF ROAD! SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE
Official recalls
704V421000 · 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
1EA01001 · 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