1999 Mercury Cougar: engine failure

Filed Sep 6, 2007 · Electrical, Fuel system · 20,000 miles · GA

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.

Filed Sep 5, 2003 · Brakes, Electrical · 98,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Apr 16, 2003 · Engine · 52,000 miles · PA

I own a 1999 mercury cougar 2.5l duratec v6 (VIN l) currently with 55,000 miles. At 49,135 miles, I had the oil changed at its regular interval (3,000 mi) at midas service. At close to 52,000 miles, upon exiting a sweeping right-hand off-ramp, the 'oil' lamp flickered on and off for a few seconds. Several weeks later, the engine developed a light 'ticking' noise that grew into 'knocking.' the local ford dealer, independence ford, charged $60 to tell me several hundred dollars worth of tests would be required to determine the source of the noise. I asked the service manager, [xxx], if he or ford was aware of problems concerning oil starvation due to 'crank whip' or pressure loss during right-hand cornering. He began listing existing known problems with cougars. Being familiar with the technical service bulletins, I suggested he was reading the list of tsb's to me. He became evasive and said there was no problem with the engines. I had spent several hours researching the oil starvation problem known to exist with the duratec engines, including changes ford made in 1999 and in 2003 to reduce the occurrence of bearing failure due to oil starvation as a result of crank whip and poor oil circulation. I read of owners with failures as low as 3,000 and 11,000 miles. I have contacted both ford and mercury via mail explaining the symptoms and problem with my vehicle, but have not received response. In the meantime, my vehicle was diagnosed by an independent repair facility as having damaged connecting rod bearings. I must now absorb the expense of engine failure at less than 55,000 miles. Ford has made production changes to reduce the incidence but refuses to offer repair and replacement for existing owners of the faulty engines. A market has developed, including revised oil pans incorporating baffles, to offer possible remedy to the problem. I sincerely appreciate anything the federal safety agency can do to help owners like myself who are the victims of this faulty design. *nlm information redacted pursuant to the free

Filed Apr 14, 2003 · Engine · 60,132 miles · UT

The engine made a very loud rattle and then stalled. The dealer stated the engine blew due to defective pistons and rods.

Filed Jan 15, 2001 · Airbags, Engine · NJ

Oil filter combusted due to pressure. Engine has been destroyed!!! Car is a year and a half old with 24,500 miles. I have a number of problems that have occurred with this car. I have ignored due to they come and go. Such as rattling noises from the trunk, cigarrette lighter is dead, gas gauge doesn't read properly all the time, lights illuminate for rear light out, airbags, coolant, next time start up car they are out??? I had a saturn for 5 years never had a problem. I have this cougar for a year and a half and look at all these problems. I am sorry a car that is a year and a half should not be getting a new engine!!!! I am extremely disappointed with mercury. I will never get another one again.

Filed Jul 5, 2000 · Airbags, Brakes · FL · crash · 1 injury

While driving on a 4-lane highway, lights on the dashboard lit up and engine died. Then, consumer lost control of the vehicle. With no brakes or steering vehicle started to spin out of control and hit a guardrail at about 55mph. Consumer said it was a engine problem. Airbags did not deploy.*ak