Mercury Cougar owners have reported 43 unknown or other related problems since 1996. Table 1 shows the 1 most common unknown or other problems. The number one most common problem is related to the vehicle's unknown or other (43 problems). For details of each of the problem category, use the links in the table.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other problems |
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.
Mercury Cougar sunroof comes off track and repair cost 1200 dollars what a rip off.
Sunroof is stuck open. Went to close it and only one side goes down. Needs a whole new sunroof. Water leaks in when it rains. Damaging the interior of the car.
Moonroof on a 99 Cougar doesn't work. Wasn't much of a problem until the roof flew up and cracked the windshield of the person behind me.
Without warning while stepping on brake the car will accelerate, and the engine will rev up. Caller has to stomp on brake hard to get it to stay still. Car can be in gear or in park when this happens. Dealer has not been contacted yet. Manufacturer has not been contacted yet. Every time he has tapped the brake just before this happens.
The heating/cooler gauge works up to 2 then you have to mess with the controller to turn it up to 3 or 4. Took to dealership and they said that there was nothing that can be done to fix the problem.
I have a 1997 Mercury Cougar. I few weeks ago I started smelling anti-freeze and I noticed my temperature gauge was over the half way mark. Then my "low coolant" light came on. I added some anti-freeze until I could get the car into my mechanic. After checking out my car, he said I had a cracked intake manifold. I left the car for two days and when he called me to pick it up, he hit me with a $875 bill. Wow!!! I don't have $875, so I had to borrow it! I need my car. Then two days after I get the car fixed, I'm talking to a friend and he tells me there was a recall on 1997 4. 6 liter engines in the Mercury Cougars. I went to my local Ford dealer and explained my problem. They said they couldn't help me and gave me a 1-800 for Ford. I called Ford. They said they couldn't help me because I didn't get the work done at a Ford/Lincoln/Mercury dealer. So even though there was a recall on my particular car, for the particular problem I had, I can't get reimbursed for the work. Any suggestions on where to go from here??? even though there were no injuries or damage to the property, thank god, the problem still cost me time, money and was an inconvenience. I feel that since it was a recall, I should at least be reimbursed for the parts.
I purchased the 2000 Cougar new, with this came leather seats. Well about 1year after owning this car the drivers seat started to wear on the side . Not any place your body touches. The dealership did a touch up and painted the leather. About 3 months later it was a mess again. With lots of complaining and phone calls and major fussing I was able to get the dealership to replace the leather on the seat. (I was told it was a courtesy call) well this courtesy call lasted me 14 months and its starting all over again. Now they are saying too bad. The service director(tim hebron) and the Ford rep(. Frank tetel )wont even look at it, and are telling me thats too bad. My car only has 25,000 miles on it and is garaged kept. So whats the longevity of leather?.
Exhibiting a starter grinding noise and / or lack of starter drive engagement (from TSB). The flywheel defect first appeared in June 2001 when the Cougar was under warranty in years and mileage. When the defect surfaced, the Cougar would not kick-over immediately, however this occurred very infrequently. At the time, there was no consistent problem to recognize and rectify. Over the ensuing months the problem continued to occur intermittently. At this point, I recognized there was a possible mechanical problem. The problem I was experiencing was caused by a defective flywheel. Its teeth were soft and the defect had worn away the starter. The flywheel had to be replaced along with the starter motor and in order to complete this repair the transmission had to first be removed.
The cup holder in the Cougar's center console spills on every occasion. It has happened countless numbers of times, and is a safety risk. I can't think of how many times I've nearly gotten into an accident because of my malfunctioning cup holder tipping over and spilling my drink all over the car, and all over my lap. It seems logical that Ford replace these consoles without charge with the new console, where they fixed this issue.
I have spilled coffee twice while turning right. . . Cupholder does not hold. . . Hot coffee on lap while driving.
This is a front cup holders on the frist models of the Cougars, they are made you put it up and flip it out, you make a right turn and what ever thats in there other than a soda can will spill all over you and the car, now if it was something hot it could have caused a wreck. Ford did changed the cup holders in the middle of the 2000's.
Engine warning lights stays on, although no drivability problems. Suspect dealership of falsifying repair. Dealership said it was leaking gas cap, although the invoice did not have a new gas cap on the repair invoice. Acquaintance in body shop informed me that service workers merely disconnect battery post for a minute to reset the computer and then engine light stays off for several weeks. That is exactly the situation that happen to me. The engine light returned about a month after being "repaired" by the dealer.
Air bag sensor light come on intermittently, and engine check light would stay on intermittently in cold weather until ignition switch was turned off. The air bag problem was being investigated. The check the engine light comes on periodically but the dealer was unable to determine the cause.
I have almost been in two accidents, and ran over a curb because of the design of this cup holder. It has spilled 3 drinks into my lap so far. They changed them halfway through the model year. I think they should all be recalled and replaced.
While consumer was driving engine light came on, and then engine blew out. Prior to engine stalling consumer took vehicle to valva line to get oil changed. Once engine blewout, it was taken back to dealer. Dealer said that shop was at fault. So manufacturer had an investigator to look over vehicle. Conculsion was that it was a manufacturer's defect.
Engine light comes on intermittently. At first it starts in rainy or cold weather. Dealer inspected vehicle, and stated diagnosics showed oxygen sensor was the problem, part has not been replaced yet.
Airbags came out while I was driving. Had previously visited dealership 4 times about engine check light.
The drivers side door weather strip ripes at the top rear of the window, it has been replaced 3 times already. No safety defect mentioned in summary.
The cup holder will spill any drink on any right hand turn in excess of 20 mph. I have gotten in many "close call" accidents because of this, and do not want to jeopardize my safety any further for a spilled drink or coffee. I am constantly cleaning my seats and replacing my pants. I know of many other owners with the same problem. Since mid-2000 Ford has been using a diffenrent style console with a functional built-in cup holder so they are aware of the problem, however they will not help out thoses owners who have the older style console with the non-functional cup holder. Please contact me if you have any other questions.
The cupholder had a 12 oz cup of coffee in it on my way to prom. The coffee spilled on my rented tux. Since then, it is estimated I have spilled some type of beverage 100 times. The cup holder is extremely flimsy and weak. Any right hand turn results in a spilled drink in my lap. I'm quite sick of it. Ford replaced the cupholders in 2000 becuase of so many complaints. They want $200 dollars to put a new cupholder in my car. I think there should be a recall before someone burns themselves and causes an accident and kills someone.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
At 2600 miles engine check light and airbag light came on, and key in ignition switch wasn't working.
Cup holder continually spills drink during regular lh or rh turn. Has nearly resulted in an accident on several occasions (through lunging to catch spilled drink and losing control of vehicle) has also damaged seating fabric. Currently drive with only one hand on wheel while completing a turn in order to support drink. This is an accident waiting to happen. Most other owners of same type car are in agreement on this fact. Ford has changed design in current 2001 model to address problem - problem acknowledged internally. Previous years should be recalled as well.
Numerous times my front cupholder has collapsed while turning a corner. It has almost caused an accident on three different occasions. I have had to pay to have my seats and floor cleaned and a very good pair of pants I own are ruined because of spillage into my lap.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Enginecheck light came on after being repaired for the timing belt leak. Vehicle was leaking day after being picked up from dealer. The repairs, done between June 9-Jul 9, 1999, were not satisfactory.
Vehicle experiening a rattle in the dash. Nlm.
Remote will not work on trunk release nor will the release from the inside work. It has been checked out 3 times and always the same answer. Don't know why it won't open. Panel has been replaced, still will not open.
Cup holder tips over during right hand turns and spills liquid into lap of driver which takes the drivers concentration off of road. This could result in vehicle crash, property dammage, death, etc. Dt.
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.
Engine check light remains on while driving. Dealer contacted. Feel free to provide any further information.
The dash and ashtray were replaced.
The consumer had a recall for engine. Dealership replaced defective part from recall. Six month later, replacement part didn't work. Dealership mechanic told her that she needed a new engine. Engine light came on while consumer was driving. And stayed on. She complained that engine coolant was running out from underneath vehicle. Vehicle wouldn't move. Vehicle had to be towed. Consumer was concerned that replacement part didn't work at first, and she needed some help from Ford motor company.
Strip on the dash gaps and sits up.
Cupholder spills while turning right or going around curves to the right. Has caused slight to moderate loss of control of vehicle. A couple of occasions were near collisions. One of which being a near head-on, also the occasion in which most control was lost.
The cupholder that came stock with my 1999 Mercury Cougar is definitely a safety hazard. I work at intel, where safety is our number one priority. When in use, anything that is set into the cupholder ends up on the drivers lap in the event of a right hand turn. This has almost caused accidents for me, on top of ruining my clothing. These cupholders were replaced on the 2000 model year, but those of us with the 1999 ended up with unsafe equipment. I think Ford needs to recall the poorly engineered part to prevent future injuries.
Several times when I have had drinks in the cup holder and made a right hand turn the drink has spilled on me and caused me to lose control of the car temporarily.
This is a very poorly designed cup holder. I have not gotten into a accident but have come close. To use it you must hold the cup or it will flip over and spill on you because of the design. It is simple unsafe to have to hold a cup in the cup holder while making turns with a manual transmission. It is not possible to shift steer and hold the beverage in the cup holder at the same time. If you do not hold the cup holder you drink will spill on you causing serious problems the least of which is lack of attention to the road and an accident. Please investigate this I know it sounds trivial but if you look at one of these 99 cup holders you will see the problem that it causes and how if will cause accidents.
Gauge failed.