Mercury Cougar recalls

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

What is wrong

On certain my 1996-1998 passenger vehicles built at the kansas city, cuautitlan assembly plants or on my 1999 passenger vehcles built at the automotive alliance international assembly plants, the rough surface of the heater blower resistor's stainless steel blades can damage the copper surface of the wiring harness connector. The damage could, over time, cause increased resistance in the connector and, due to subsequent terminal relaxation, result in an open circuit condition.

Risk

The open circuit could lead to electrical arcing that could melt the connector housing material creasing the potential for a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will install a new heater blower resistor and a new wire jumper harness. Owner notification began august 29, 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 01V230000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The brake lamp switch terminals could overheat.

Risk

This could cause either a loss of brake lamp function or continuously illuminated brake lamps, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will install a new stop lamp extension harness with bronze terminals at the brake lamp switch connector, and also inspect the brake lamp switch for signs of overheating and replace, as required. 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 01V032000 · Recall details

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

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

What is wrong

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with fog lights, in which the headlights may go out for various intervals and which may be preceded by flickering or blinking as a result of the circuit breaker opening.

Risk

Driver's could experience a loss of visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will install a headlight switch which incorporates a circuit breaker of revised design, and install a wiring harness connector, if needed.

Recall number 99V275000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The door latch may have been manufactured with a latch pawl that has a coating which will swell in high humidity conditions. The latch pawl may then stick in the open or unlatched position.

Risk

The door would not latch when closed. If the vehicle is driven in this condition, it could potentially result in the door opening while the vehicle is in motion.

Remedy

Dealers will install a revised side door latch.

Recall number 99V226000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The accelerator cable may have been manufactured with a burr on or near the end of the cable sleeve interior. This burr could fray the core wire resulting in the accelerator not returning to idle when the accelerator is released.

Risk

This condition can result in the throttle sticking, binding, or causing high engine RPM.

Remedy

Dealers will install a revised accelerator cable that has a flared conduit sleeve end and molded on end fitting.

Recall number 99V194000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of connecticut, district of columbia, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, kentucky, massachusetts, maryland, maine, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, wisconsin, and west virginia. Movement of the fuel lines causes the nylon fuel line jumper to chafe against the floor pan. This wear can cause a pin hole in the fuel line resulting in fuel leakage.

Risk

This fuel leakage results in dampness and fuel odor, and if an ignition source was present, a fire could result.

Remedy

Dealers will install a plastic convolute covering around the fuel lines. If the lines show a leak, the lines will be replaced first.

Recall number 97V159000 · Recall details

What is wrong

The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.

Risk

This condition could cause overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column area of the vehicle.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the ignition switch.

Recall number 96V071000 · Recall details

What is wrong

When in the secondary latched position, the driver door latches may open when subjected to transverse loads less than that specified in fmvss no. 206, "door locks and door retention components."

Risk

The driver's door, when closed only to the secondary latched position, may not sustain a 1,000 pound transverse load.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the driver door latch.

Recall number 96V070000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Under certain conditions, the climate control blower does not operate as intended. The blower could (1) stick on "high;" (2) operate erratically with blower output varying between no blower and maximum blower; or (3) not operate at all due to malfunction of the temperature control module.

Risk

Blower malfunctions limiting or stopping output can adversely affect windshield defrosting and defogging performance increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the semi-automatic temperature control modules with modules containing revised software.

Recall number 96V007000 · Recall details

What is wrong

The nuts which hold windshield wiper motor to the wiper module may not have been sufficiently tightened and may loosen or come off. This causes changed wiper patterns, or the wipers may jam if two of the three nuts come off.

Risk

Changes in the wiper pattern or jamming of the wiperswould result in reduced driver visibilty in inclement weather conditions.

Remedy

Apply torque retention material to wiper motor studs and nuts and retorque.

Recall number 91V076000 · Recall details

What is wrong

The park rod assembly contains a park cam with inadequate surface hardness, which could lead to park disengagement or no park engagement when the lever is placed in park.

Risk

If park is not engaged and the parking brake is off, avehicle roll-away could result.

Remedy

Replace park rod assembly on automatic transmissions.

Recall number 91V048000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Battery to starter cables are longer than specified; excessive cable length could contact engine damper pulley.

Risk

Cable protective covering and insulation could wear through and cause a direct short to ground, resulting in overheating of the cable insulation and possibly a underhood fire.

Remedy

Replace battery to starter cable with correct length cable.

Recall number 90V026000 · Recall details