Mercury Cougar fire or smoke problems

Filed Apr 14, 2020 · Electrical, Fuel system · 177,810 miles · IN · fire

Battery light is on and has for awhile. Lights keep blowing fuses. And today I had to rip out a headlight or the car would have set on fire.

Filed Jul 24, 2014 · Fuel system · 142,000 miles · CO · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercury cougar. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, she was notified by another driver that the front of the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The contact began to coast onto the emergency lane and removed a child passenger from the vehicle however, the vehicle stalled. There were no injuries due to the failure. The fire department was contacted and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a junk facility. The failure was not diagnosed to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign 04v421000 (fuel system, gasoline). The approximate failure mileage was 142,000.

Filed May 29, 2014 · Engine · 97,000 miles · FL · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 mercury cougar. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, smoke started to emit from the engine and caught on fire. The contact mentioned that the fire extinguished independently. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 97,000.

Filed Jan 7, 2014 · Electrical · 89,000 miles · LA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1990 mercury cougar. The contact stated smoke emitted from underneath the hood when the engine was turned on and within seconds the engine was on fire. The fire department advised the fire originated at a fuse box located in the battery and alternator area. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 89,000.

Filed Jul 19, 2013 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · VA · fire

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.

Filed Jun 15, 2010 · Electrical, Fuel system · 92,788 miles · MD · fire

My car stalled while in the middle of a busy intersection while in motion. Later find out that I need a new fuel pump. Was not aware it was under recall. Paid to have it fixed in july of 2009. Repair shop failed to put my VIN, mileage, and correct year of vehicle on invoice resulting in not being able to get my money back from ford. Recall was good through january 31, 2010. My car once again stalled while at a stop light sparks and small flames when attempting to start after stalling. Electrical problem, and ford is doing nothing about it. I replaced the battery and still no crank or clicking. Also listed as a recall. Spend $651.02 to have fuel pump fixed and now can't get my money back because repair shop did not fill out invoice correctly. Now will have to possibly pay over a $1,000.00 to fix the electrical issue... When the fuel pump was fixed, the shop failed to secure the gas tank correctly causing fuel to pour out while driving at a rate of a gallon per minute. Ford is now doing everything they can to avoid paying me back for the recall services after I was informed by a ford customer service rep that I would be paid back. I have been back and forth for weeks now to the dealership and I have been told over and over again with a new excuse everytime as to why they can not repay me...

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 Jan 14, 2009 · Lights · 64,000 miles · MI

Headlights go out for various intervals and is preceded by flickering and/or blinking which causes loss of visibility which increases my risk of a crash. Also note a burning smell from vents when this happens. My vehicle is a 1991 cougar and I went online to see if there was a recall for this problem. Noted recall for same problem on 1992 and 1993 models not for 1991. Called ford motor company and asked if there was a recall for my model since it has the same issue as 1992 and 1993 cougars. Was told no recall for this and to pay to get it fix myself. They would report problem to proper department.

Filed Sep 22, 2008 · Electrical · 73,000 miles · TN · fire

I am not sure who to contact with this, but I have already gone through my insurance company, and I am still a little upset about what happened. I owned a mercury cougar 2dr coupe 2001. One night I was alerted by a neighbor that my car was on fire. My father started putting water on the car, and I used a fire extinguisher to put the fire out. My insurance company had a claims representative come out and check the vehicle. They already sent me a check for what they say the vehicle was worth, and I am just not happy about it. I know that ford had issues with cars catching on fire. I just don't see how the insurance company can cut me a check for the vehicle, and determine a cause, with only pictures. My car still sits in my driveway 2 weeks after the accident. The car was sitting parked in the driveway for roughly 8 hours before it caught on fire. I just hate the fact that I am having to take a car I spent 13,000$ for, and now I get to buy something worth 6,700$. I was searching online to find more information about the vehicle fires, and also saw where it should be reported and that why I decided to write this. Thank you, seth goodowens

Filed Mar 31, 2008 · Acceleration, Body · MN

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.