Five problems related to dash wiring have been reported for the 1999 Mercury Cougar. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Contact owns a 1999 Mercury Cougar. He has been looking on the internet and found recalls 04v4210000, 04v4210000,1v0320000, and 01v0310000 . He called the manufacturer, and they told him that this vehicle was not included in these recalls due to VIN although the contact's vehicle experienced the same failure as described in aforementioned recalls. While driving and accelerating the vehicle surged. He had not noticed this when the cruise control was on. But, noticed this immediately after purchasing the vehicle from an auction on 9-18-05. Also, the left rear tail lamp blew out three times in a short time frame. He bought the extended life bulbs, but they still blew out. However, some of the lights worked on the dashboard. . The engine light did not come on when he first started the vehicle. The contact noticed this 10-04-05.
While driving 35-40 mph all gauges were going haywire, consumer smelled something burning. Then, vehicle stalled. Vehicle at dealership at this time.
The speedometer jumps and at times does not work at all. This same problem has occurred at least 5 or 6 times in the past two years. The instrument cluster has been replaced each time. The intrument cluster installed last month was bad while driving it home from the dealership. It will probably have to be replaced at its next oil change. The vehicle is almost out of warranty and the dealer advised me that I would be responsible for any incidents after the warranty expires even with its history, and I was told by the dealer that they have seen this problem with other Cougars.
While parking vehicle in driveway a fire started under the dash, dealer was notified. Feel free to provide any further inform ation.
Engine light kept coming on. Took vehicle to dealer 8 times. After dealer fixed problem, an hour later, light was back on. Other lights on dash come on as well. Dealer just reset system, not able to repair it.