Starter Problems of Mercury Cougar

Mercury Cougar owners have reported 12 problems related to starter (under the electrical system category). The most recently reported issues are listed below. Also please check out the statistics and reliability analysis of Mercury Cougar based on all problems reported for the Cougar.

1 Starter problem of the 1999 Mercury Cougar

Failure Date: 10/24/2008

I have owned my 99 Cougar for 7 years now I bought it used and everything worked fine the first year but late within the last 3 years I have changed the alternator 3 times starter 4 times and the battery 3 times just recently my car refused to start so I figured it was the starter cause every fall and winter one of the 3 mentioned goes out well I replaced the starter and it wont start now I checked the battery and that is good I also checked the cables and they are good , and just today I found a few recalls on my car online so I went to the Ford website to see if the recalls where listed but they are not . Does that mean the previous owner did the recalls ? and if so why is the same problem occurring and what can the dealership do or will do ? what recourse do I have if the dealership refuses to fix my car under the recall?.

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2 Starter problem of the 1999 Mercury Cougar

Failure Date: 06/01/2006

I would like to complain about my Cougar. I cannot pass the IL. Emissions tests, due to the fact that the O2 sensors are defective. My engine light is constantly on. I have had my car serviced for the engine light, alone, 8 different times. Eight! this is incredible. Also, my car makes a loud screeching noise when I attempt to start it. -if it starts at all. - I have had my starter replaced twice. Twice!!! this car is a lemon. Nothing but a lemon. How could Mercury sale such crap and get away with it. My drivers' license will be suspended because I cannot pass the emissions test. If I can even get my car to the testing facility. I have had the alternator changed, the fuel pump, the electrical wiring changed, sunroof, turning signal, even the radio was defective. I sincerely hope that there is a class-action lawsuit against Mercury, because I will be the first one in line to sue.

3 Starter problem of the 1999 Mercury Cougar

Failure Date: 01/23/2006

As soon as I bought the car used with 49000 it wouldn't start. Replaced the starter, still wasn't right. Had to replace the flywheel because the old and new starter never matched properly with flywheel. Then, the engine light came on. The egr sensor was bad. Replaced the sensor. All of this within one month of owning the car. Then a few months later coolant light wasn't just coming on, but staying on, had to replace coolant tank due to shorting of the sensor in the tank. Now, six months after owning car, engine light is back on.

4 Starter problem of the 1999 Mercury Cougar

Failure Date: 04/21/2004

21,210 miles-brake rotor and pad failure,sunroof inoperable,passenger window inoperable-warranty 47,823 miles-complete charging system failure-warranty trunk has never opened correctly from inside-no solution 87,000 miles- starter motor failed-$250 91,519 miles-2 radiator hoses failed-$240 93,000 miles-manual transmission failed, differential gears -$2440 now I am having problems with my fuel pump. Throughout the life of this car there have been numerous problems cars don't receive until after 100,000 miles. In my eyes, it is simply a 100,000 mile lemon!.

5 Starter problem of the 1999 Mercury Cougar

Failure Date: 01/01/2002

I have had numerous problems with my '99 Cougar such as, failure of my pat system and computer system. I have had problems with my brakes which they can't seem to figure out the problem. I have had my starter replaced twice. I have had defects in several sensors, which is not under warranty that I had to pay a good amount of money for them to repair. My fan has even blown out. There is a burning smell whenever I turn on my heater that none of the dealers can't seem to smell. I also had to purchase a new radiator. When my computer went out my car was still under warranty but they made me pay for the repairs, parts, and labor out of my pocket. This is not all. The list goes on and on. I have complained to the dealership, Ford motor CO. And even had someone from Ford to investigate all of the problems I've had with my vehicle. They have been rude to me on several occasions, especially when I had questions about the repairs of my vehicle. Something needs to be done about this. I would not recommend the purchase of a Mercury Cougar to anyone.

6 Starter problem of the 1999 Mercury Cougar

Failure Date: 09/16/2000

Consumer complaint: odi case number: 10070550 component: other details: 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. Cause: result: occurences: 1 injuries: 0 fail date: 10/15/2002 deaths: 0 mcs check date: 4/25/2004 I inquired on the cost for the fly wheel, which has just been relayed to me by my mechanic, that it is not the starter. The transmission specialist said the cost would be $1,030. 00 or so. I have a 1999 Mercury Cougar.

7 Starter problem of the 2000 Mercury Cougar

Failure Date: 07/20/2000

While driving at 55-60 mph consumer turned on air conditioner, then smelled smoke. Turned air conditioner off. Went to pull over, and brakes had failed. When vehicle came to stop, consumer opened hood and saw flames. Put fire out, and had vehicle towed to dealer. Dealer stated that starter had caused fire and replaced starter.

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8 Starter problem of the 1999 Mercury Cougar

Failure Date: 01/05/2000

Vehicle does not start all the time, sometimes the starter grinds when you attempt to start vehicle.

9 Starter problem of the 1999 Mercury Cougar

Failure Date: 09/07/1999

Starter was defective due to a the manufacturer's flaw. The vehicle wiillnot start in any kind of weather.

10 Starter problem of the 1999 Mercury Cougar

Failure Date: 07/01/1999

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.

11 Starter problem of the 1999 Mercury Cougar

Failure Date: 09/04/1998

When starting the car it's making a grinding noise. Finally, took vehicle in and it was the flywheel and starter. Dealer fixed it. Had the vehicle for two weeks after repairs, and it still didn't start. When turning the ignition key, it would either make a humming sound or nothing at all. Dealer kept it for 3 weeks and put over 100 miles on the vehicle, and still can't find what is wrong.

12 Starter problem of the 1999 Mercury Cougar

On 4 different occasions vehicle will shut off suddenly andwithout warning as though someone shut key off, and then everything locks up/ loss of power occurs, and cannot even shift out of gear. Dealer has replaced starter, but it did not fix defect.


Other Common Electrical System related problems of Mercury Cougar


Fuel Economy of Cougar Vehicles
Cougar Service Bulletins
Cougar Safety Recalls
Cougar Defect Investigations