Two problems related to automatic transmission torque converter have been reported for the 1999 Mercury Cougar. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
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.
Purchased car new, in 57000 miles we have had to replace, 2 alternators, 1 starter, 2 batteries, entire rack and pinion, power steering pump, transmission torque converter, 4 set of brakes, 4 sets of tires plus two individual tires all with sidewall blow outs except one puncture and 2 headlight switches, 2 cig lighters. The entire upper engine gasket set had to be replaced to get to an intake leak. The head lights and foglights work itermittantly, engine warning lights are constantly going on and off. Currently one headlight is out (lamp is good) fog lights are not working (today) and an engine warning light is indicating a problem again.