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1999 Mercury Cougar problems

The most common problem on the 1999 Mercury Cougar is electrical system, typically around 70,000 miles. It has 4.8 times the complaints of a typical Cougar model year.

Typical year4.8x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
454
Recalls
7
Service bulletins
229
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
20-25mpg

The worst 1999 Mercury Cougar problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1999 Mercury Cougar

Stalling 45Grinding brakes 30Check engine light 21Hesitation 18Fuel pump 16Loss of power 15Brake failure 13Tire blowout 12No deployment 11Headlights 11Sunroof shattered 10Won't start 10Door locks 9Wipers 8Jerking 7Sudden acceleration 7Transmission failure 7Adaptive cruise 6Engine failure 6Slipping 6ABS 5Fire or smoke 5Misfire 5Power steering loss 5Pulling 5

Recalls 7

Fuel system, gasolineReported August 30, 2004 · 88,600 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain passenger vehicles, contamination of the filter in the fuel delivery module (fdm) can reduce, and eventually block, the flow of fuel to the engine.
Risk
This may cause engine hesitation, loss of power, surging, and other similar symptoms. Over time, the filter may become sufficiently blocked to cause the engine to stall, which could result in a crash.
Remedy
This action is deemed a safety improvement campaign and is not being conducted under the safety act. All owners will be notified of the problem, and dealers will replace the fdm with a new design at no charge if the owner reports that the vehicle exhibits any of the identified symptoms. The free replacement will be available for a period of 10 years following the original purchase of the vehicle, with no mileage limit. The campaign began on april 16, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.

Recall number 04V421000 · Recall details

Electrical systemReported July 9, 2001 · 342,962 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain my 1996-1998 passenger vehicles built at the kansas city, cuautitlan assembly plants or on my 1999 passenger vehcles built at the automotive alliance international assembly plants, the rough surface of the heater blower resistor's stainless steel blades can damage the copper surface of the wiring harness connector. The damage could, over time, cause increased resistance in the connector and, due to subsequent terminal relaxation, result in an open circuit condition.
Risk
The open circuit could lead to electrical arcing that could melt the connector housing material creasing the potential for a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will install a new heater blower resistor and a new wire jumper harness. Owner notification began august 29, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.

Recall number 01V230000 · Recall details

Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery: cablesReported February 6, 2001 · 120,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with 2.5l v6 engines. The battery cable was misrouted and its attachment to the alternator cable was under-torqued. If misrouted, the cable could contact the power steering line and the insulation could wear, resulting in an electrical short.
Risk
The short could potentially result in a fire, stalling, or a no-start condition.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the battery cable to the alternator for damage and, if it is damaged, will replace the cable. Additionally, the routing of the cable will be corrected, as necessary, and a routing clip will be added. Also the torque on the alternator attachment of the cable will be checked and, as required, will be tightened to specification. Owner notification began march 22, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.

Recall number 01V031000 · Recall details

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switchReported February 6, 2001 · 33,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The brake lamp switch terminals could overheat.
Risk
This could cause either a loss of brake lamp function or continuously illuminated brake lamps, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will install a new stop lamp extension harness with bronze terminals at the brake lamp switch connector, and also inspect the brake lamp switch for signs of overheating and replace, as required. Owner notification began march 22, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.

Recall number 01V032000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation componentsReported March 9, 2000 · 436,200 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles not equipped with the anti-lock braking system (ABS). A pressure conscious reducing valve (pcrv) in the rear brakes may be subject to corrosion and result in malfunction, when operated in areas that use salt compounds on the roadway for de-icing or dust control.
Risk
If both pcrv's malfunction, vehicle handling could be adversely affected during braking as a result of the rear wheels locking, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will install improved pcrv's in the rear brake system. This recall was expanded in september 2000 to include 1999 and 2000 ford contour, mercury mystique and cougar vehicles.

Recall number 00V075000 · Recall details

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latchReported August 18, 1999 · 10,011 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The door latch may have been manufactured with a latch pawl that has a coating which will swell in high humidity conditions. The latch pawl may then stick in the open or unlatched position.
Risk
The door would not latch when closed. If the vehicle is driven in this condition, it could potentially result in the door opening while the vehicle is in motion.
Remedy
Dealers will install a revised side door latch.

Recall number 99V226000 · Recall details

Vehicle speed controlReported July 20, 1999 · 159,565 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The accelerator cable may have been manufactured with a burr on or near the end of the cable sleeve interior. This burr could fray the core wire resulting in the accelerator not returning to idle when the accelerator is released.
Risk
This condition can result in the throttle sticking, binding, or causing high engine RPM.
Remedy
Dealers will install a revised accelerator cable that has a flared conduit sleeve end and molded on end fitting.

Recall number 99V194000 · Recall details

See all 7 recalls for the 1999 Mercury Cougar

Defect investigations

Blower switch/resistor or wiring harnessOpened January 5, 2001, closed July 31, 2001

There is no summary currently available

EA01001

Technical service bulletins for the 1999 Mercury Cougar 229

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 229 bulletins for the 1999 Mercury Cougar

1999 Mercury Cougar fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.0L 4‑cylFWD20-2128-3123-25
2.5L 6‑cylFWD17-182620-21

What 1999 Mercury Cougar owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Dec 12, 2017 · Fuel system · 680,000 miles · IA

Yes, I purchased my vehicle in july of 2017. When I test drove the vehicle, everything seemed perfectly fine. Yet, the day I received it, I went to the gas station to fill up. Upon returning home, 1 mile., the engine light came on. I was told by the seller all was perfectly fine. Drive the car, it will be fine. I was concerned and I took the vehicle to my mechanic. After running some diagnostic tests, I was told I needed a catalyic converter, repairs over $1500.00. I was reading the recalls for this vehicle and came across campaign id# the federal safety agency 04v421000. The recall was for contamination of the filter I the fuel delivery mode(fdm) can reduce and eventually block, the flow of fuel to the engine. In which, can cause many problems. I have those problems with the vehicle. Upon starting, it revives up, then eventually slows down and almost kills. It sounds as if no gas is getting to the engine. Loss of power, stalling. My question is how I could find out if this recall was done to the vehicle. Where do I start. I realize its been more than 10years from the purchase of it new, and I didn't purchase new, but if the recall wasn't done...may I be entitled? The vehicle only has 68,000 miles on the engine. Is this the problem and has it now effected the catalyic converter? Thanks greatly for your precious time. A reply would greatly be appreciated. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).'

Filed Jan 25, 2017 · Airbags, Electrical · WA

I got in my car one day after work in the parking lot and started my car and my airbag light was on. It stayed on for three days and is no longer on. It seems like no one wants to take account or provide solutions for the problem. Everytime I roll up my windows, my lights dim as if the battery is dying. My windshield wiper control doesn't shut off and im not able to change the speed.

Filed Nov 24, 2016 · Transmission · 150,000 miles · AZ

Transmission having problems going into gear constantly slipping and catching gears when trying to drive only gets up to 30 MPH

Filed Aug 8, 2016 · Brakes · 120,000 miles · AZ

Calipers constantly falls off causing wheel to lock up

Filed Jun 27, 2016 · Acceleration, Electrical · CA

I have problem with transmmition shifting 1st to second changes at 3000rpm but when I change park to drive shakes motor bad , one of the wires start smoking I like I put tape around wired burnd. Temperature it doesn't show but when I open the hood the car is very hot every time I tried driving it at freeway overdrive light starts blinking I like I paid to get it fix and still does the same.

Filed May 27, 2016 · Engine · 98,000 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 mercury cougar. While driving approximately 5 MPH approaching a stop, the vehicle idled and stalled without warning. In addition, the speedometer fluctuated. The failure recurred, especially when the heater was activated. The contact would have to turn the ignition key in order for the vehicle to turn back on and be able to be driven again. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.

Filed Dec 18, 2015 · Electrical, Fuel system · 115,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 mercury cougar. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact also stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was able to start after several attempts, however the vehicle failed after the contact drove for a couple of miles. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the alternator and fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 01v031000 (electrical system) or 04v421000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.

Filed Nov 22, 2015 · Electrical · 191,487 miles · TX

1999 cougar battery connection problems or something faulty. Sometimes while I'm driving my car just goes dead. It's done that a lot lately. I now have a new battery but the same thing happens and I'm scared when it happens on the freeway . Tonight I was driving on the freeway and it went dead! I had no lights , I had no tail lights,no head lights ,no blinkers and no emergency lights and the car close behind me had to slam on breaks cause there was no emergency lane, no side of the road just a guard rail! I was in the middle of the road . Brand new battery just goes dead like it did many times on the older battery it's not the alternator either...something is not making a connection. I'm gonna end up squashed, dead cause on a freeway at night when the car dies everything dies: lights,tail lights and emergency lights if im in the dark no one would see me in time to stop if im in the middle of the road.

Filed Jun 11, 2015 · Body · 175,000 miles · WI

I have always had my car washed and rust proofed during the winter ever 2 weeks. Last december the paint under the bottom of both the drivers and passenger doors started having the paint bubble up on both rocker panels. It started bubbling up then curling and the pain started coming off. Ive seen many other cougars with this same problem and feel it is due to a defect in the paint that was used or something missing from the paint job that was done

Filed Jun 11, 2015 · Brakes, Electrical · 175,000 miles · WI

To whom it may concern: (management) I was driving on a residential street and was honked at by another driver who told me that my brakes lights were not working. I had a friend of mine that is a certified repair person look at it and he said it wasn't the light or the fuse or the brake switch under the pedal and that he was 95% sure it was the stop lamp extension harness that has bronze terminals at the brake lamp switch connector. I bought this car in 2004 and under a recall had the blower switch resistor repaired under the recall. The reason the recalls for this car are not showing up is because the recalls are more than 15 years old & they don't keep track after that. I have never had this problem with this car before but I have had over $9,000 worth of repairs on it since I've owned it not including the normal oil changes and tune up. I think ford needs to approve this for the recall considering they knew how many things were wrong with the cougars and that's why they don't make them anymore... Not a satisfied customer with a ford product! First & last ford product I will ever own if this isn't fixed to my satisfaction. Thank-you, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

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Other model years

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Questions about the 1999 Mercury Cougar

Is the 1999 Mercury Cougar reliable?

Owners have filed 454 complaints about the 1999 Mercury Cougar, 4.8 times a typical Cougar model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1999 Mercury Cougar?

Electrical system, with 99 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles. Next is brakes (77).

How many recalls does the 1999 Mercury Cougar have?

7 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline, electrical system and exterior lighting.

Was there a recall on the 1999 Mercury Cougar electrical?

Yes, 2 recalls: 01V230000, 01V031000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Mercury Cougar have the most electrical problems?

The Mercury Cougar model years with the most electrical complaints are 1999 (99 complaints), 2000 (63 complaints) and 1990 (19 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1999 Mercury Cougar get?

Official estimates for the 1999 Mercury Cougar range from 20 to 25 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 20-21 city and 28-31 highway.

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