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?
1999 Mercury Cougar electrical complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 99, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 mercury cougar. On september 4, 2008, while driving approximately 65 MPH, the interior and exterior lights began flickering on and off. The following week, the contact replaced the battery, but the failure persisted. The dealer performed a diagnostic and stated that the battery cable was defective. The manufacturer stated that his VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 01v031000 (electrical system:battery). The vehicle has not been repaired. The VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 55,000.
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 federal safety agency with my complaint.
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 mercury cougar. While driving 45 MPH, the exterior lights became dim. The exterior lights also dimmed immediately when the contact began driving. The failure occurred intermittently. The headlights and instrument panel lights also flickered and dimmed, but then illuminated to full capacity. The failure is directly related to the federal safety agency campaign id number 01v031000 (electrical system:battery:cables); however, the dealer stated that the VIN was not included. The current mileage was 80,000 and failure mileage was 79,700.
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 mercury cougar. In 2003, the engine failed when fuel was present in the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and repaired under warranty. Currently, fuel is not able to enter into the engine. The vehicle will start and then shut off. A diagnostic test has not been performed on the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle has also had electrical failures, which caused the battery to fail four times in four years. The battery cable has been retightened several times and replaced once. The speed was unknown. The current mileage was 99,000 and failure mileage was 20,000.
I also own a 99 cougar and have had nothing but issues, but I love the way the car drives when it works correctly. I have also replaced the alternator and it's also on its 5th window motor, which still does not work correctly. I have replaced almost every sensor possible, too. Of course when I have questioned mercury on these issues, they claim that it's not a common problem with the cougars. I have heard from others on the tire issues, but luckily mine has not had any issues with tires. The newest issue with mine is the headlamps. I was in some heavy rain water in the beginning of oct. 2006 and they leaked and had puddles inside of them. I took it to be serviced by mercury and I have not had my car back for 3.5 months! In talking with ford I have found out that they have not made any headlamps for the 99 cougar since jan. 2006 and they are on a nation wide backorder. To make a long story short, I am hoping that ford will make things right for not stocking headlamps and putting me without a car for the past 3.5 months.
Most recent information is given. Had to have alternator replaced twice with in a 7-8 month period due to a recall issued by ford on february 6, 2001. The federal safety agency campaign id number: 01v031000. I had 2 dealerships search for recalls using my VIN, no recalls came up.
1. Car began to lose power and the steering wheel began to lock up and lights began flickering on the dash. 2. The car stalled in the fast lane on a busy freeway. The consequence was a small truck rear-ended the back of the car and it was totaled. One person had busted lip in truck and one in the car had busted forehead and blackened eyes with back injuries and the other one had back and stomach extreme pains and legs. 3. Nothing could be done at this point-the car always had problems. Too bad, I was not aware of all of the recalls--maybe that would not have helped either.
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. *nm
Dt*: the contact stated while driving at various speeds the engine stalls causing all the lights on the dash to illuminate. Additionally the speedometer, gas gauge and odometer become inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealership but because it was purchased as is they will not inspect it.
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.
3/21/05 vehicle taken to lincoln mercury driveability concern by>>( my wife)>>>check engine light on, they fond intake gaskets leaking vac & bank 2 also monitor are very active need tune up and plug wires and tires... My wife gave them all technical service bulletins diagnostic trouble codes po420 & po430 paper....also,told them 99-mercury cougar 2.5l engine stall and have inability to start car...they kept paper, and told her she need new battery cables!!!! Call manufacturer on tsb and recall, we was told there was no recall on our vehicle I.d. Number....etc........consumer reports used car buying guide fond recall ---99-00 mercury cougar with 2.5l v6 engine----natsa number #01i009000 please help.............
I have had multiple problems since I purchased the car in 10/99. I have had the sun roof replaced once and now needs it again for the same reason; the track broke ($1000 to fix, $2000 if I go to the dealer). The ignition switch has been changed twice because it sticks (it need to be changed again). In 2/00 it started: whenever the car got cold, the car would either not turn on or would just shut down while I was driving. The car was brought to the dealer multiple times for the same problem. He changed numerous parts but was unable to resolve the issue, until a 2004 recall for something to do with the fuel system. About three years ago the engine light came on at which time the dealer replaced the catalytic converter. A few weeks later the engine light came on again at which time the dealer told me it was the head gasket. That, I had replaced by an independent mechanic and then still had to bring it back to the dealer to have the catalytic converter done a second time, and to have the computer reset to have the engine light shut off. Anytime I have work done on the car, even just maintenance, the check coolant light or the engine light comes on and I have to bring it to the dealer to have it shut off. In 9/05 the coolant light illuminated and a day later the engine light came on, I brought the car to an independent mechanic who changed the overflow tank because he believed it to be a bad sensor. After fixing that, the engine light would not go off as well as one of my brake lights. He did multiple tests and determined that it is something electrical, unfortunately he could not pinpoint the exact cause of the electrical problem. For some reason those lights have gone off but I expect them come back on soon.
Dt: contact owns a 1999 mercury cougar. He has been looking on the internet and found recalls 04v4210000, 04v4210000,1v0320000, and 01v0310000 . He called the manufacturer, and they told him that this vehicle was not included in these recalls due to VIN although the contact's vehicle experienced the same failure as described in aforementioned recalls. While driving and accelerating the vehicle surged. He had not noticed this when the cruise control was on. But, noticed this immediately after purchasing the vehicle from an auction on 9-18-05. Also, the left rear tail lamp blew out three times in a short time frame. He bought the extended life bulbs, but they still blew out. However, some of the lights worked on the dashboard. . The engine light did not come on when he first started the vehicle. The contact noticed this 10-04-05.
Dt: the consumer owns a 1999 mercury cougar. The heater blower motor resister was replaced, because when the dashboard was pulled off it was burned. There was a recall for this, and the dealership stated that similiar to other vehicles that had been fixed. When contacting ford, they stated this vehicle was not part of the recall. The motor switch would not work on one of the four speeds; therefore, the vehicle was taken into the dealership. This was first noticed on july 11, 2005. *ak
1999 mercury cougar has problems with the speakers, battery equipment, brake equipment and instrument cluster.***no answer required***. *mr the vehicle pulled to the right while driving. The consumer stated on a separate occasion while driving she noticed the vehicle had no brakes, the consumer was able to find a mechanic who determined all for rotors and pads needed to be replaced. The consumer stated the brake light did not illuminate.
While driving 40 MPH vehicle stalled. Driver tried to restart the vehicle and was not able to do so. Vehicle was towed to a garage for inspection, and mechanic determined that the alternator and battery needed to be replaced and replaced them. However, the problem recurred.
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.
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: 1injuries: 0 fail date: 10/15/2002deaths: 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.
Recall 01v230000 concerning air conditioner heater blower motor resistor defect. The air conditioner blower and heater malfunctioned. Currently a recall was issued for this year/make, and model. However, after contacting the manufacturer, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. *ak
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.
Mechanical problems with 1999 mercury cougar. *mr the vehicle died in the middle of traffic on three occasions. There were alternator and fuel problems. The consumer requested a credited amount of funds and reimbursement for the battery, brakes and additional expenses. Other problem are as followed: the new wheels were defective (corroded and frozen), the brake sensor snapped off of the wheel, the cd player was skipping, the hatch would not release properly, the steering wheel would shake, the keyless entry with anti-theft was inoperative, there was rough idle, the transmission shifter would stick, the cup holder did not shut, the hood would not open, and the lights would dim and or brighten while the vehicle was in motion. *sc
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!
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.
Electrical problems, car is almost 5 years old, just put in 3rd alternator; now, cannot pass emmisions, cannot find a problem. Tons of electrical problems.
Vehicle had battery problems. Consumer stated that mechanic told him there was a recall on this issue.*ak under any acceleration (light or heavy) the battery light turned on. It also turned on occasionally while cruising. The mechanic indicated that there was probably a short somewhere that he could not find and that this was a potential fire risk. *ph
The cable that attached the battery to the alternator shorted out and caused a fire. The consumer was able to put the fire out. Please describe further.
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.
I've had to replace both the heater blower resistor (twice) and also the brake light switch. Summer of 2003. I bought this vehicle new, and was never notified of a recall. According to info gathered on this website - recalls were issued for both these problems. Why was I not notified?? Who will repay me for labor and parts for these necessary repairs.
Vehicle will only go into reveres gear. Dealer indicated this was caused by automatic transmission electrical failure.
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