2000 Mercury Cougar: jerking or lurching

Filed Nov 17, 2009 · Electrical, Transmission · 55,000 miles · NJ

2000 mercury cougar v 6 auto -55000 mi - steady state cruising after 10 mi 'warm up' - a frequent , problem - like ok for 3 or 4 mile , then 2 or 3 times will jerk or shudder , then ok for 3 or 4 mi - hard jerk , engine tach jumps from 2800 > 4000 RPM , back to 2800. Seems mostly at steady 70 MPH or so , does do it sometimes at 40. Seems hardly ever on short drive , like 8 mi to work in morning. Trans can't find correct gear ? Computer ? Dealer , aftermarket shop couldn't find anything. New fuel filter , trans oil.

Filed Aug 18, 2008 · Engine · 103,000 miles · NC

The vehicle, 2000 mercury cougar, begins jerking as it is being driven at any speed, and results in complete shut down of engine. Sometimes the engine will restart after waiting several minutes, and will not restart at times; requiring towing. I took the vehicle to the local dealer, and an employee stated that it was known by the manufacturer to be a design flaw in that year vehicle. Another employee took him to the side and scoulded him for the disclosure. They would not discuss it further, even though I continued to question what they were doing to correct this known defect in workmanship. To this day the vehicle continued to repeat the same failure. I had the fuel filter replaced twice. Finally a mechanic replaced the cam shaft sensor (he stated that he had seen this problem with the car many times) and knew that was the problem. Even though the sensor was replaced, the car worked without shut down for approximately 4 months, but began the same sequence of shut downs all over again. The design flaw should be recalled or consumers should be reimbursed for purchase of a known defective vehicle by it's manufacturer and designer. It is a shame to get "stuck" with a lemon. Thank you.

Filed Feb 27, 2008 · Transmission · FL

2000 mercury cougar with transmission problems. Consumer states that the transmission hesitates when putting it into gear, jerks when moving forward. He also states that transmission fluid on the ground was noticed. *kb a local transmission shop diagnosed the problem as metal fillings in the transmission fluid as well as bad seals.

Filed Mar 18, 2005 · Engine, Fuel system · 40,000 miles · VA

Vehicle will stall and then lose power while driving or hesitating. Then jerk forward while idling. There is no warning when either of these failures occur. The fuel pump/massive flow sensor were replaced twice, but failures recurred.

Filed Mar 29, 2004 · Electrical, Visibility · 35,900 miles · OH

Power windows didn't work as fast, and eventually the car wouldn't start. The same thing happened not two months later. It took eight days to fix the alternator, which had been repaired by that same dealer before and only took 2 days. The day I got it out of the shop the sunroof broke. And then on march 29, on my way to work in the morning, as I was exiting the ramp onto the highway the rpms shot way up and the car "lurched " a few times before finally dying. I pulled over to the side of the road and called a wrecker. Once at the repair shop it was diagnosed as being low in gas, causing the fuel pump to overheat. They also found that the bolt holding the motor to the motorcarriage was missing, but I haven't heard back from them on why. The car presently only has 44,376 miles on it, and one complaint has already been filed with ford.

Filed Dec 7, 2001 · Fuel system · NY

Vehicle stalls while driving. At times, vehicle will jerk / stall. Vehicle will not restart. Contacted dealer, and dealer replaced fuel pump. Please add VIN.

Filed Oct 9, 2001 · Acceleration, Transmission · VA

Rpms on engine do not drop when clutch pressed. Rpms go up sometime 1500 rpms. Car lurches when downshifting into 2nd unless waiting 5-20 seconds for rpms to finally drop. Happens every day if vehicle is warm (driven over 25 miles). Ford says it is designed this way. Problem didn't show up for at least 12,000 miles. Problem disappeared after 800 mile drive, but reoccurred after 1 week. Car has accelerated in 2nd gear without my intervention once. That is enough to cause me great concern for my safety. I cannot drive this car with normal driving habits, I could orginally, not now. The problem is getting progressively worse. The dealer says I have no recorse and it is not a problem according to ford. It is a problem. I feel unsafe, and it could endanger other people.

Filed Sep 27, 2001 · Brakes · PA

Squeaking noise coincides with hesitation in driving. Service technicians cannot figure out what the problem is. Had in to dealer 3 times, once they kept it for 5 days and said they couldn't find the problem. Feels like a jerking or bucking, happens randomly/frequently. Doesn't matter what gear or how fast, happens when applying brakes and applying gas. Buzzing sound in steering column. Said was fixed once, but still occurs.