1999 Mercury Cougar: sunroof shattered

Filed Sep 5, 2008 · Body · OH

The plastic sunroof transport mechanism has broken for the second time during the life of this car (I am the only owner). The first incident occurred early in my ownership and was covered under warranty. Dealership that fixed it the first time has refused to fix it again citing a 12 month warranty. This problem is a well known design defect in the 1999 and 2000 model year mercury cougars and was addressed in the 2001 model year design. The cost for replacement parts is unconscionable considering the facts regarding this well known problem. I believe that clear knowledge of these issues of the ford motor company and the industry as a whole should have necessitated a recall long prior to this and because there isn't a recall I am filing this complaint.

Filed Apr 10, 2007 · Visibility · 108,000 miles · ME

Tl*- the contact has a 1999 mercury cougar with a failure mileage of 107,000. When the contact opened the sun roof she heard a snapping sound. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer, and was told that she had to replace the sun roof assembly. She felt that this was a very expensive repair for a part that only needed a plastic piece replaced. The current mileage was 137,000 miles. *ak the consumer has provided multiple pages of various customers and the problems of their mercury cougars which are located on www.cougarsunroof.com and broken sunroof poll. The consumer has also provided the invoice with an estimate for repair. Update 05/09/07

Filed Jan 20, 2007 · Visibility · CA

Sunroof broke loose. Is stuck now but could potentially release from vehicle while driving. This is a major issue affecting many many vehicles. Refer to www.cougarsunroof.com. List of over 1000 complaints there. It is only a matter of time before this gets someone killed. I have a bachelor's degree in fire protection and safety engineering technology from oklahoma state university's world renowned program and this is a serious issue.

Filed Jun 18, 2006 · Visibility · OH

1999 mercury cougar sunroof broke and the cost of repair is unbelievable! I have seen many websites with the same complaint. Thousands of complaints. Something has got to be done. There has to be something wrong when all these sunroofs are breaking constantly.

Filed Apr 27, 2006 · Visibility · IN

The sunroof broke, is a common and known problem (with a website dedicated with over a thousand testimonials). Ford refuses to do anything. Only option is $1700 repair.

Filed Apr 16, 2006 · Visibility · 32,000 miles · TN

We bought our first cougar in 2001. It is a 1999. A month after I bought it, the sunroof broke and froze in the up position. I had an extended warranty that was told to us covered this part. When took it in to get looked at, it did not cover it and they said that the sunroof would cost $2000 to fix. Rain, snow, and anything else comes into my car now and the fabric is now ruined. It is utterly ridiculous that this manufacturer made such a faulty product and refuses to do anything to help fix it. I haven't seen a cougar since with a sunroof that is not broken. Please recall this item!!!

Filed Apr 14, 2006 · Visibility · 68,000 miles · PA

My sunroof broke and almost flew off of my car!!!!!!

Filed Apr 28, 2003 · Body, Electrical · 33,000 miles · PA

I own a 1999 mercury cougar. I just bought the car in january of 2003 with 32,000 miles on the car. Two weeks after purchasing the car the alternator died, which is a common problem with this car, and the dealership replaced the alternator. But two or three weeks after that, my power sunroof broke, which is also a very common problem, and because the car was not under warranty anymore it cost me over $1200.00 with labor to fix. I have since learned that there are many cougar owners that have had the sunroof break because the 1999 and 2000 cougars were made with plastic rails that easily break. The 2001 and 2002 cougars were made with metal rails and work fine. The parts that you order now for the 1999 and 2000 cougars are metal, so my question is, why wasn't this a recall, and why should we all have to pay for a defective part that is very expensive and breaks only because it is poorly manufactured? When I bought the car I had no idea how much money I would have to put into fixing the stock parts, such as the alternator, sun roof, and fuel pump, and rear hatch door, which are also very common problems.

Filed Jan 7, 2003 · Visibility · NY

The knob that adjusts the heat for high or low had stuck on low. The problem may be an electrical problem. Ts the sunroof had broken. Scc

Filed May 4, 2002 · Brakes, Visibility · MN

I feel like such an idiot because I bought this car!! Unbelieveable problems, and now I have to try to sell this car. I paid $16000 for this crap, and then I had to pay $300 because the rotors warped on my rear brakes, and then the track on my sunroof completley broke, and that is going to cost me at least $800. Ford/mercury should be sued for making a totally crappy car. As you can see by the number of complaints on your website, something needs to be done about this!!!! Thanks, rosie