Automatic Transmission Problems of Mercury Cougar - part 1

2000 Mercury Cougar v 6 auto -55000 mi - steady state cruising after 10 mi 'warm up' - a frequent , problem - like ok for 3 or 4 mile , then 2 or 3 times will jerk or shudder , then ok for 3 or 4 mi - hard jerk , engine tach jumps from 2800 > 4000 rpm , back to 2800. Seems mostly at steady 70 mph or so , does do it sometimes at 40. Seems hardly ever on short drive , like 8 mi to work in morning. Trans can't find correct gear ? computer ? dealer , aftermarket shop couldn't find anything. New fuel filter , trans oil.

See all problems of the 2000 Mercury Cougar 🔎.

I have a 1999 Mercury Cougar, and have had it about 4 years now. I have had no problems with the car, except having to have the alternator replaced. I work 3rd shift (7p-7a) at a local hospital, and on my way home, my car started slipping in and out of gear. The car would go for a minute, then it would stop, and I would push the gas and the car would just rev up. I had a line of traffic behind me, so I as trying my best to get the car off the road. I finally got it into an empty parking lot and called to get some help. I was very tired from working a 12 hour shift and had to wait 2 hours for someone to come and get me. We got the car to a mechanic, which said that it was the transmission, and he then told me that he would drain the transmission, put new fluid in it, and see if that fixed the problem. To my very unfortunate news, the transmission has went out in my car. I am a full-time student and full-time working trying to make ends meet. Due to the transmission going out in my car, I have missed classes, and it's becoming a headache trying to get to and from work, school, and other places I need to be. I was told that the 1999 Cougars had a recall on the transmission and that I needed to find out about it. This is what I am doing now. I can't afford a new transmission, let alone a new car, while I'm trying to go to school. This whole ordeal has thrown me off, because there was nothing wrong with the car, and all of a sudden (in one day) the transmission went out. I hope this problem is resolved, and I get some help with fixing my car. I appreciate your time, and I hope that my problem is looked into. Thanks, gina brook melton.

See all problems of the 1999 Mercury Cougar 🔎.

I am the original owner of a 1999 Mercury Cougar automatic v6. I have never been in an accident with the vehicle, but continue to have mechanical problems. Like other 1999 2000 Mercury Cougar owners I worry about the safety of driving a vehicle with more problems than can cost effectively be fixed. My list of broken items include the radio, power window regulator, O2 sensors, transmission at 59,000 miles, dashboard lights (low coolant and check engine), door/window leaky seal issues, engine misfire (decreased acceleration) and now my cruise control and turn signals do not work. Upon researching the recall for cruise control fires dealing with Ford products I found that I am among other disgruntled Cougar owners. Ford/Mercury or Ford technicians have not done a satisfactory job letting owners know of recalls that need attention. My latest concern is that my Cougar might start on fire, per my complaint with Ford; they see no threat with my cruise control issues and suggested I contact the NHTSA with my complaint.

Vehicle has been well maintained. Transmission was shifting poorly and suddenly same day, reverse will not engage, also no 1st or 2nd gear working.

See all problems of the 2002 Mercury Cougar 🔎.

I have a 2000 Mercury Cougar with the terrible cd4e transmission with 66,000 miles and the transmission went bad. There are a lot of people with the same problems and the same trannys.

My automatic transmission, while driving down the expressway, shut down the o/d now will not shift into 2nd gear until close to 5,000 rpm. The car has only 60,000 miles.

See all problems of the 2001 Mercury Cougar 🔎.

The car was driving fine. I got in it, started it, and put it in reverse, and it didn't go. I put it back in park, then in drive, and I couldn't go forward because of the curb. So I put it in reverse again, eventually, I was able to pull back out of my parking spot, but it went back hard, and I could have hit another car if one was in the space behind me, and when I did, it was very stuttered movement. When I p went forward (drive), it had a rubbing sound, like something was rubbing on something. We haven't done anything to this car because we have no money to even tow it. I just bought this car 5 months ago. It has run very well until this day.

There was no indication that there was a problem with the transmission until one day I went to pull out into an intersection and the car felt like it was in neutral. During that same episode, when at a stop light, the car would not move until it was put in 2 instead of drive. I took it to the dealership and was told that the automatic transmission needed to be replaced. The car only has 48,000 and the cost of the replacement of a new transmission was $3,256 + tax.

I purchased this 2002 Mercury Cougar 9 days ago and the transmission started hesitating in overdrive, so I turned o/d off and it was fine. When I got home I tried to put it in reverse and it wouldn't move. I tried to put it in neutral and it moved forward. I recently discovered that I was not the only one, I have seen repeated accounts of this same a/t failure on this same year & model on the internet including this same complaint forum. I also discovered this was a result of Mercury's poor engineering in the overdrive gear, and the plastic valve box (used for gear selection) inside the trans axle. I would appreciate Mercury motor company paying for the repairs. I would not have purchased a vehicle to expect costly repairs due to engineering mistake or poor design.

I own a 1999 Mercury Cougar. I have maintained the vehicle per the service manual through the local Mercury dealership. Sometime during early April 2005, I noticed that the car hesitated and jerked violently after about fifteen minutes of normal driving. We were able to drive the car in for service. The dealer "diagnosed" the problem and replaced a part. The car continued to malfunction the very next day. I returned to the dealership and was told that the problem was with transmission. I have had the transmission replaced by a local Ford dealership. I am not sure whether the old transmission is available.

After all the problems with my 2001 Cougar I wish I would have made a better choice in what vehicle I bought. The one recall that they had on the fuel pump I had to have that replaced, but I am not sure they really fixed it because it still hesitated when I accelerating . The low coolant light on the dash went on in the winter time when I first started the car. After I driving a bit the light will just turn off. So how the am I suppose to know when there really was a coolant problem if the light just went on. Then, the transmission went out at 94,000 miles with no signs of it going out. I was driving on the highway at 70 mph when I pressed on the gas pedal and nothing happened, like the car was in neutral. I tried different gears and nothing. I was able to coast to the shoulder of the road and had to call a tow truck to bring the car home and cost $300. 00. I had to find a place to bring the car to get a new transmission which was at a Ford dealership. They said it would take about 3 days to have it done, and turned out taking 2 weeks because they didn't know how to put the correct transmission in the box. They sent two wrong transmissions before Ford finally got the correct transmission for the car to the shop. This cost me $3,235. 00. Transmissions failing at 94,000 miles was ridiculous considering all proper maintenance was done when it was needed. There were still other problems with the car, but I could not fit all the words on this form. I did not believe anything was done at all, and customer service from Ford was terrible. The next vehicle I buy most definitely will not be a Ford and probably not an american vehicle either. Word of mouth is very powerfully and people that I talk to about Cougar problems will never be buying a Ford. If only Ford would care a little and not be afraid to spend some money to make their customers a little more pleased with their purchase then maybe people wouldn't look down so much on Ford products.

I own a 1999 Mercury Cougar which currently has 5700 miles. The flywheel has failed ,resulting in complete replacement of the starter and flywheel. The problem began more than a year ago but was so intermittent that my mechanic could not reproduce the problem in order to diagnose. At this time the vehicle is being repaired. Damaged parts will be retained for future inspection if needed. I conducted a websearch and found a website which contained many other owners of 99 Cougars experiencing the exact same problem, even at the same approx. Mileage. . Read more...

My 2002 Mercury Cougar, started grinding in the third gear. I took it to my dealer and they quoted me 1500. 00-2500. 00 as an estimate repair. I was unable to afford the cost, so I had to drive skipping the third gear position. The saftey issue involved is that it is hard to get on the California ramps at a good speed to keep from causing a wreck. Come to find out, Mercury made third gear wrong when it was built in the factory. Supposedly, a lot of Mercury Cougars are coming back with the same problems in third gear. I feel that it is Mercury's duty to recall this issue with the transmissions. It was their fault in the first place, and they should fix the problem. Thank the lord that nothing has happened to me or someone else with this issue (as far as a wreck). But there are other Cougars out there.

Recently, I took my 2000 Cougar to the shop to have a leak checked out. Also, I noticed when I used the heat, I smelled a burned rubber scent. I learned that the transmission seal broke and I needed new gaskets. It cost $1,600. What is really strange is there was a 1999 Cougar at the shop too. The mechanic told me that both of our cars has the same exact problem. Is it possible that there is a recall on certain Cougars?.

The battery seemed low on the car, indicated by interior lights not being very illuminated, but then dashboard lights started flashing and windows rolled up very slowly. I charged the battery for many hours and it took a charge, so I could get to the Mercury dealer. It died when I got there and they were closed, so I had to jump it and move to a safe location to leave overnight. This had happened twice before in the past 2 1/2 years, so I new it was the alternator again! that's three alternators in 2 1/2 years. This time I am out of warranty and am expected to pay $550 for a recurring problem that clearly will happen again. The dealer can not tell me why this is occuring, and Ford "customer service" could care less. After researching this problem on the internet, it seems that many Cougar owners have experienced this problem continually. I have also had to have the transmission replaced, as well as the motor for the sunroof.

While the car is running, my 1999 Mercury Cougar will shift from drive to neutral, to reverse, without ever releasing the lock. All it takes is slight pressure on the gear shift to change gears unintentionally. The dealer I just bought the car from 2 weeks ago, and Ford tell me that it is normal for the gears to move from drive to neutral with no effort. The dealer said no harm is done. You are just driving down the road at 60 miles an hour when you bump the gear shift, and lose all acceleration until you move the gear shift back to drive. I can see a real safety issue there. And, considering that this is my 16 year old's car, I see a real safety issue. It also would shift from 2nd all the way to neutral without releasing the lock.

Repeated issues on various dates. Problem 1: the vehicle alarm will randomly activate itself. It will go through it's 5 minute alarm process and then shuts itself down. Then anywhere from 3 to 10 minutes latter it will set itself off again. It does not matter the location of the vehicle so that could rule out interference. Problem 2: battery lamp illuminates in the higher rpm range and battery and alternator have been checked to be functioning properly. Problem 3: there is a loud popping sound from the front driver's side when the car shifts to 2nd gear at full throttle.

We were driving our vehicle on the interstate and the car started to hesitate then accelerate fast it did this 6 times. We stopped at a store and pulled in forward when we came back out and started the car the car would not go into the reverse position. The car some how was frozen into drive even if you put the car into neutral. Now our car is at another dealership with no explanation why or how this could have happened.

Consumer stated the vehicle jumped in and out of gear on its own, the dealer was unable to rectify the problem. Ts.

My car is a lemon. Have had a new engine put in it 2 times because the rods spun. I have had the brake lights "fixed" 3 times, the alternator replaced 3 times, new catalytic converters twice. New power steering. Transmission done 3 times. Theres definantly more I just cant think of alllllll my repairs on this 1999 Cougar. I bought it used and it has now 98000 miles cause I drive out of state.

The transmission "hunts" as if it doesn't know which gear to go into. This mostly occurs during or immediately following the 1-2 shift. It also has harsh shifts. Dealer says they cannot duplicate.

There are no brake lights ,and its hard to get vehicle in and out of gear. Please provide any further infomation.

Transmisson has failed. I've taken my vehicle back to the dealer a month after I purchased the vehicle to advised them of the jurking problem with the car also advised them that the coolant light will not go off. Dealer has checked the vehicle and stated they could not find anything wrong. As of now I am not able to drive the vehicle. Was advised by sales rep that sold me the vehicle the extended warranty would be worked into my payments however this is not stated in the contract. Not to mention the brakes grind when backing up in the vehicle they have been replaced on the vehicle 3 months ago and the brake light is flashing again. I was told by the dealer I would be responsible to pay $2700. 00 to fix the transmission.

Brake lights are not working. Also, it is hard to get vehicle in and out of gear.

Transmission problem existed but I didn't recognize "shudder". Dealer reccommended additive to transmission. Fluid just after I purchased car (new). Now shudder is so bad I have to get transmission work.

See all problems of the 1996 Mercury Cougar 🔎.

Consumer was driving e when vehicle stalled in front of a semi-ractor trailer. Also, steering had locked up. Had no warning prior to stalling. Finally took vehicle to dealership & left it there. Lights go dim and car wants to die/ doesn't want to go into second gear when starting off, and same thing is happening when trying to sift into fifth gear/passenger's tail light is coming loose/interior lights coming on.

While driving at about 70 vehicle will downshift on its own. If a vehicle was behind it may have been runned over.

There is a leakage within the fuel injection system. Gas is leakage from the vehicle. Also, consumer replaced transmission four times.

See all problems of the 1997 Mercury Cougar 🔎.

There is a leakage within the fuel injection system. Whenever consumer put gas into the vehicle, the gas leaks out, and the consumer can smell gas in vehicle. Vehicle has been in repair shop three times for the fuel injection. Also consumer had transmission in repair shop four times. Vehicle is still in repair shop for fuel injection problems, and dealer can't determine the problem.

I have had my car in twice (2 times for brake & transmission service) none of the problems that I have, had have been corrected. My brakes still scrub & my transmission still bucks, after these returns for service. I am very unhappy about the way my car is running. Especially the brakes which are making me worry. I have had my car in on 9/17/1998 and 12/2/98 for these problems, among other problems, and the brakes and tranzmission problems still exist. I am not very happy with my 1999 Mercury Cougar and I will not buy one again, unless I know that Ford has put their best in this car. Sincerely, adria l. Person.

Stopped vehicle in street, put the vehicle in park, tilted the steering whee, . Got out and vehicle jumped into reverse and rolled back. Dealer can't find anything wrong with vehicle.

While driving and attempting to accelerate the vehicle would shut down and transmission would quit pulling. Then without any warning it would repair itself, but would jerk in the process. Dealer and manufacturer have been notified.

The vehicle did not shift correctly, it hesitated and surged when accelerated to pass other vehicle's, and there were no warning lights indicating a transmission problem. Scc.

Rpms on engine do not drop when clutch pressed. Rpms go up sometime 1500 rpms. Car lurches when downshifting into 2nd unless waiting 5-20 seconds for rpms to finally drop. Happens every day if vehicle is warm (driven over 25 miles). Ford says it is designed this way. Problem didn't show up for at least 12,000 miles. Problem disappeared after 800 mile drive, but reoccurred after 1 week. Car has accelerated in 2nd gear without my intervention once. That is enough to cause me great concern for my safety. I cannot drive this car with normal driving habits, I could orginally, not now. The problem is getting progressively worse. The dealer says I have no recorse and it is not a problem according to Ford. It is a problem. I feel unsafe, and it could endanger other people.

Vehicle towed twice, vehicle failed to be moved out of park.