2000 Mercury Cougar: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Aug 26, 2016 · Lights, Visibility · TX

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.

Filed Apr 24, 2014 · Electrical · 63,127 miles · GA

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.

Filed Jul 18, 2011 · Electrical, Lights · IL

There is an electrical issue that is effecting my vehicle. I have a v6 engine, and the instrument cluster, radio, interior lights, and head lights flicker when I start up my car and continue to do so. I went online to look at possibly recalls and saw that there was one decribing the exact issue I have. I called the ford dealership in huntley, illinois and talked to a guy in the service department, named mike. He told me that the recall only affected certain mercury cougars from certain plants.... I am alson having issues with the transmission range sensor.

Filed Jan 28, 2011 · Electrical, Fuel system · 98,000 miles · OR

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 mercury cougar. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The battery was replaced and the contact received a jump start before he was able to start the vehicle. The vehicle remained on for a few minutes before stalling. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was advised that the alternator would need to be replaced. The alternator was replaced. The contact was able to drive the vehicle but found that the headlights were intermittently dimming. The contact was advised by the dealer and manufacturer that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 01v031000 (electrical system: battery: cables). The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle would hesitate and that fuel was not traveling to the engine correctly even with a full tank of fuel. The dealer and manufacturer both advised that contact that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 04v421000 (fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 98,000 and the current mileage was 100,000.

Filed Sep 11, 2009 · Electrical · 80,000 miles · WV · fire

The lights on the interior and exterior of my car have been flickering since I purchased the car from an individual a few years ago. Last week I smelled burning wires while driving and me and my husband pulled off the road and he investigated the problem as to where the smell was coming from. He noticed the battery cables were hot and melted insulation on them at the battery posts. Now instead of a flickering alternator light,headlights,and dash lights, I have an alternator light that stays on and everything else is still flickering. We took the car to a mechanic because the car quit running,apparently because the battery went dead. They replaced the battery and the alternator which cost me 320.00. I still have flickering lights and the alternator light is still on. I took it to have the alternator checked even though it was brand new,just to be sure and was told that there was a wiring problem,that the charge from the alternator was not getting back to the battery. All fuses were checked and to my understanding my car is not involved in any recalls according to the VIN I furnished ford. I want this fixed ,and I see on all the research I have done checking the web for similar problems,that I am not the only mercury cougar owner of this year model that can't seem to get any help with an apparent safety issue. Also I have a sunroof that has to be taped down to keep it from blowing out of the car and leaks when it rains if it doesn't have tape on the seams.

Filed Aug 3, 2006 · Electrical · 122,000 miles · NH

My 2000 mercury cougar has a problem with the battery light flashing intermittently and the head lights and interior lights flickering consistently. First I took it to two local repair shops who found no charging problems. The second shop provided me with a recall and recommended that I take it to the dealer. I took it to the ford dealer(with the recall paper work) and they first replaced the alternator (which didn't fix the problem) then replaced a connector (which didn't fix my problem). When I asked them to replace the battery cable to the alternator which is mentioned in the recall the service manager told me that he would have to replace a $1,900.00 wiring harness to do that. He recommended that I trade my car in. So I went out and bought a "consumer reports" used car buying guide to look for a reliable used car and I found a section in the back for "recalls". Under the '99-00 mercury cougar section it references this recall and says "if necessary, replace the battery cable". I have filed a complaint with ford and plan to call the attorney generals consumer affairs division next.

Filed Dec 20, 2005 · Lights · 26,000 miles · CA

Headlamps flicker- when my headlamps ,"flicker", they get so dim that I am concerned I will not see items in the path of my moving vehicle. I have had two near misses; one with an animal at large, the other much more serious, and a pedestrian in a crosswalk. The alternator replacement was done 2 times, battery replacement done once. When I brought it to the attention of my service advisor at ford he stated that this is only a bulletin because it is not considered to be a safety issue since the lights do not go completely out. My children whom ride in this car and the pedestrian that I could not see would deem this a major safety concern right along with myself and other passengers who have experienced this problem in my vehicle. I only drive my car after dark because I have no other car.

Filed Oct 6, 2005 · Electrical · MO

Interior lights, headlights and gauges dim and brighten while the vehicle is being driven. *ts on one occasion the consumer's wife couldn't see a curb due to the light flickering. As a result she ran over the curb which caused a flat tire and resulted in the vehicle running into a ditch.

Filed Dec 2, 2004 · Electrical, Lights · IL

Vehicle interior and headlights constantly brighten and dim when brake or gas pedal is applied. Brought it in to dealer on 11/26/04, alternator was replaced (100 dollars spent). Alternator had previously been replaced due to complete failure on christmas eve 2001. Now on third alternator. On monday november 29, car began exhibited the same brightening and dimming effects. Brought to dealer and was informed that the wire between the battery and alternator could potentially have a problem. Dealer was nice enough to fix it for free. I have contacted mercury corporate several times and asked to speak with someone who can actualy help me and and always told that I can't speak to anyone else. There are so many more things that have gone wrong with this car I dont even know where to begin.

Filed Sep 24, 2004 · Electrical · IL

While driving headlights flashed on and off intermittently. Consumer pulled over. The lights came back on fifteen minutes later. Then, consumer drove vehicle to the dealer, and mechanic determined that battery needed to be replaced. . But the problem recurred the next day. Then, mechanic analyzed the problem, and informed consumer that the voltage sensor circuit needed to be replaced.

Filed Jul 17, 2004 · Electrical · 66,000 miles · DC

I have a 2000 mercury cougar that I bought brand new and has been service faithfully by a dealership. But recently in the past 2 months there have been 3 alternators put on my car all resulting from the same problem. The console lights flicker and dim, the headlights flicker and dim, the battery light flashes and eventually it stays lighted and the gauges zero out and the car shuts down starting with the radio and eventually the light goes out and the car dies. This has happened 3 times to me within the past month all while driving in lot's of traffic. The last time I was able to pull over to a parking lot. I've seen that there are many other cougar owners with the same year as mine that are continuously having the same problem over and over. Why? A brand new car should not be doing this and to completely break down in rush hour traffic is definitely horrifying. The dealership has just put the 4th alternator on and says they had to rewire a harness but didn't say to what or for what. It's costing me $700 and how am I to believe that it won't break down again with the same problem. How come ford doesn't issue a recall for the alternator/battery/wiring problem. A brand new car is not supposed to break down before it's paid for. I'm definitely not buying another mercury product again.

Filed Jul 12, 2004 · Electrical · GA

For the last 18 month the head lights and dash lights have flickered. I have taken it to the dealer 4 or 5 times. Twice before the warranty ran out. The problem was never fixed and the dealer alway told me the electrical system checked out find. The problem has gotten worse and now the alternator has failed twice in 30 days. This was my third and last mercury.