Tl* the contact owns a 2000 mercury cougar. The contact stated that the battery failed and multiple warning indicators, including the check engine indicator, illuminated. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics to have the battery replaced. After multiple incorrect diagnostics, it was determined that the battery cable routing was defective. The contact discovered the federal safety agency campaign number: 01v031000 (electrical system); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 38,600.
The worst 2000 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.
- Electrical63
- Fuel system46
- Engine26
- Visibility18
- Airbags17
- Acceleration16
- Brakes12
- Transmission9
- Lights8
- Steering8
- Body7
- Locks6
- Tires5
- Wheels3
- Seat belts2
- Suspension1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2000 Mercury Cougar
Stalling 46Fuel pump 36Headlights 15Hesitation 12Won't start 12Loss of power 11No deployment 8Jerking 8Check engine light 7Fire or smoke 6Sunroof shattered 5
Recalls 3
Fuel system, gasoline
- 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 system: 12v/24v/48v battery: cables
- 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
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components
- 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
Technical service bulletins for the 2000 Mercury Cougar 109
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- General (PCM) power train control module programming procedures
- General power train control module (PCM) programming procedures
- Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated - system lean diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's) - service tips
- Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair
- Inoperative electric rear window defroster (heated backlite) grid lines, integral antenna concerns
- Malfunction indicator lamp illuminated with diagnostic trouble code P0420 and/or P0430/ 2.5L engine only
- Engine hesitation, loss of power, surging, and other similar symptoms as a result of contamination of the...
- Steering column shipped without crush pad - reuse original crush pad if not damaged
- Malfunction indicator lamp illuminated with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCS) P0442, P0455, P0456, P0457 or...
- Remote keyless entry (RKE) - service tips
2000 Mercury Cougar fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 21 | 31 | 25 |
| 2.5L 6‑cyl | FWD | 18 | 26 | 21 |
What 2000 Mercury Cougar owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 mercury cougar. While driving 15 MPH, the headlights failed without warning. In addition, the windows and sun roof independently rolled down. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Takata inflatorsi have a 2000. Mercury. Coguar. When. I bought the. Car it ran tgood, then. In 2014. I had to. Pay 1000. To get a. Fuel pump put in. And. That only lasted. 2yrs. Now the fuel pump went out . I don't. Have. That kind of money .I live on as. When I pay my bills I'm. Broke. I looked up recalls. And its the fuel system on the car. It just stops. Even in traffic. I don't see what my credit. Has anything. To do with getting help. Fixing my car if it has a recall. On the fuel system.
Having so many problems with the fuel systems. I have put fuelput a new fuel pump in gas tank 2 yes. Ago. Put fuel pressure sensor this year. Put new fuel regulator this year now when driving it will just stop. And wouldn't startup
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 mercury cougar. While refueling the vehicle, the fuel pump would only allow 1-2 gallons to enter the fuel tank before shutting off. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Letter from congressman griffith on behalf of constituent re electrical safety issues with 2000 mercury cougar. *tgw the consumer stated he constantly experienced wiring/electrical problems.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 mercury cougar. The contact stated that the interior lights and headlights flickered. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the wiring harness had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number 01v031000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 63,127 and current mileage was 67,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 mercury cougar. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously included in and repaired under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 01v031000 (electrical system). The contact stated that the windshield wipers, speedometer and the exterior lighting began operating sporadically after the vehicle had been serviced under the recall. The contact also noticed smoke coming from under the hood. The vehicle also stalled intermittently. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnosis and the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 mercury cougar. The contact stated that the sunroof failed to close. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the sunroof rollers had failed. The sunroof was not repaired. The failure was reported to the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 95,000. The current mileage was 106,000.
The drivers rear metal brake line failed catastrophically on the highway in a panic stop. This resulted in complete brake failure of both front and rear brakes.
Compare the 2000 Mercury Cougar
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Questions about the 2000 Mercury Cougar
Is the 2000 Mercury Cougar reliable?
Owners have filed 211 complaints about the 2000 Mercury Cougar, 2.2 times a typical Cougar model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2000 Mercury Cougar?
Electrical system, with 63 complaints, typically around 65,000 miles. Next is fuel system (46).
How many recalls does the 2000 Mercury Cougar have?
3 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline, electrical system and service brakes, hydraulic.
Was there a recall on the 2000 Mercury Cougar electrical?
Yes, 1 recall: 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 2000 Mercury Cougar get?
Official estimates for the 2000 Mercury Cougar range from 21 to 25 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 21 city and 31 highway.
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