1999 MERCURY COUGAR — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
740
Owner Complaints
9
Recalls
108
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1999 MERCURY COUGAR
The 1999 MERCURY COUGAR has received a total of 740 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 9 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SUSPENSION, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. 108 technical service bulletins have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (40 complaints), Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly (33 complaints), and Power Trainautomatic Transmission (31 complaints).
Recalls for the 1999 MERCURY COUGAR
NHTSA has recorded 9 recalls for the 1999 MERCURY COUGAR, potentially affecting up to 1,204,681 vehicles.
Recall 08E033000 — SUSPENSION
| 6,903 vehicles affected
Defect: FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Consequence: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
View full details →Recall 06E022000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
| 7,440 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS...
Consequence: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.
View full details →Recall 04V421000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
| 88,600 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Recall 01V230000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
| 342,962 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Recall 01V032000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
| 33,000 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH TERMINALS COULD OVERHEAT.
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Recall 01V031000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
| 120,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Recall 00V075000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
| 436,200 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 99V226000 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
| 10,011 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 99V194000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
| 159,565 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1999 MERCURY COUGAR
740 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
YES, I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN JULY OF 2017. WHEN I TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, EVERYTHING SEEMED PERFECTLY FINE. YET, THE DAY I RECEIVED IT, I WENT TO THE GAS STATION TO FILL UP. UPON RETURNING HOME, 1 MILE., THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS TOLD BY THE SELLER ALL WAS PERFECTLY FINE. DRIVE THE CAR, IT WILL BE FINE. I WAS CONCERNED AND I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC. AFTER RUNNING SOME DIAGNOSTIC TESTS, I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A CATALYIC CONVERTER, REPAIRS OVER $1500.00. I WAS READING THE RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE AND CAME ACROSS CAMPAIGN ID# NHTSA 04V421000. THE RECALL WAS FOR CONTAMINATION OF THE FILTER I THE FUEL DELIVERY MODE(FDM) CAN REDUCE AND EVENTUALLY BLOCK, THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE. IN WHICH, CAN CAUSE MANY PROBLEMS. I HAVE THOSE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. UPON STARTING, IT REVIVES UP, THEN EVENTUALLY SLOWS DOWN AND ALMOST KILLS. IT SOUNDS AS IF NO GAS IS GETTING TO THE ENGINE. LOSS OF POWER, STALLING. MY QUESTION IS HOW I COULD FIND OUT IF THIS RECALL WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE. WHERE DO I START. I REALIZE ITS BEEN MORE THAN 10YEARS FROM THE PURCHASE OF IT NEW, AND I DIDN'T PURCHASE NEW, BUT IF THE RECALL WASN'T DONE...MAY I BE ENTITLED? THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 68,000 MILES ON THE ENGINE. IS THIS THE PROBLEM AND HAS IT NOW EFFECTED THE CATALYIC CONVERTER? THANKS GREATLY FOR YOUR PRECIOUS TIME. A REPLY WOULD GREATLY BE APPRECIATED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB
I GOT IN MY CAR ONE DAY AFTER WORK IN THE PARKING LOT AND STARTED MY CAR AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. IT STAYED ON FOR THREE DAYS AND IS NO LONGER ON. IT SEEMS LIKE NO ONE WANTS TO TAKE ACCOUNT OR PROVIDE SOLUTIONS FOR THE PROBLEM. EVERYTIME I ROLL UP MY WINDOWS, MY LIGHTS DIM AS IF THE BATTERY IS DYING. MY WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL DOESN'T SHUT OFF AND IM NOT ABLE TO CHANGE THE SPEED.
I GOT IN MY CAR ONE DAY AFTER WORK IN THE PARKING LOT AND STARTED MY CAR AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. IT STAYED ON FOR THREE DAYS AND IS NO LONGER ON. IT SEEMS LIKE NO ONE WANTS TO TAKE ACCOUNT OR PROVIDE SOLUTIONS FOR THE PROBLEM. EVERYTIME I ROLL UP MY WINDOWS, MY LIGHTS DIM AS IF THE BATTERY IS DYING. MY WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL DOESN'T SHUT OFF AND IM NOT ABLE TO CHANGE THE SPEED.
I GOT IN MY CAR ONE DAY AFTER WORK IN THE PARKING LOT AND STARTED MY CAR AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. IT STAYED ON FOR THREE DAYS AND IS NO LONGER ON. IT SEEMS LIKE NO ONE WANTS TO TAKE ACCOUNT OR PROVIDE SOLUTIONS FOR THE PROBLEM. EVERYTIME I ROLL UP MY WINDOWS, MY LIGHTS DIM AS IF THE BATTERY IS DYING. MY WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL DOESN'T SHUT OFF AND IM NOT ABLE TO CHANGE THE SPEED.
TRANSMISSION HAVING PROBLEMS GOING INTO GEAR CONSTANTLY SLIPPING AND CATCHING GEARS WHEN TRYING TO DRIVE ONLY GETS UP TO 30 MPH
Safety Rating for the 1999 MERCURY COUGAR
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1999 MERCURY COUGAR in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1999 MERCURY COUGAR
Ford Motor Company has issued 108 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
041516 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE(S) P0420 AND/OR P0430. *TT
0246 — STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT COMPLAINTS OF FALSE ALARM ACTIVATION OFTHE PERIMETER ANTI-THEFT ALARM OR BEING INOPERATIVE. *TT
15636 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CONCERN WITH HEADLAMPS AND/OR INSTRUMENT PANEL LAMPS DIMMING SLIGHTLY AT IDLE. *TT
15183 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
INFORMATION REGARDING COUGAR HEADLAMP PARTING LINE, WHICH RESULTS FROM THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS AND CAN BE SEEN DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE TURN SIGNAL FUNCTION FROM THE TOP TO THE BOTTOM. *YD
15197 — STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CONCERN OF BACKLITE/HATCHBACK MOLDINGS BECOMING LOOSE. *JG
01M04 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
IN THE VEHICLES COVERED BY THE ADDITIONAL COVERAGE PROGRAM, THE FUEL PIPE FLAPPER VALVE MAY STICK WHICH COULD RESULT IN SLOW FILL AND FREQUENT FUEL FILLER NOZZLE SHUT-OFF. *TT
0114 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
EXPERIENCING A SPARK KNOCK OR PRE-IGNITION CONDITION ON VEHICLES WITH AN AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSION DURING STEADY CRUISE DRIVING OR UNDER LIGHT ACCELERATION. *TT
14596 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
EXHIBITING ONE OR MULTIPLE STUDS BREAK ON EXHAUST FLANGES. *JB
00256 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A V6 ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A FLICKERING CONDITION OF THE HEADLAMP, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, RADIO, AND INTERIOR LIGHTS DURING ENGINE START-UP AND MAY CONTINUE DURING THE FIRST SEVERAL MINUTES OF ENGINE IDLE. *TT
14516 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
INFORMATION ON IMPROVED FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET. *TT
Showing 10 of 108 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1999 MERCURY COUGAR
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the MERCURY COUGAR
- 1994 MERCURY COUGAR — 178 complaints
- 1995 MERCURY COUGAR — 160 complaints
- 1996 MERCURY COUGAR — 77 complaints
- 1997 MERCURY COUGAR — 112 complaints
- 1998 MERCURY COUGAR — 1 complaint
- 1999 MERCURY COUGAR (current)
- 2000 MERCURY COUGAR — 283 complaints
- 2001 MERCURY COUGAR — 103 complaints
- 2002 MERCURY COUGAR — 127 complaints
Other MERCURY Models
- MERCURY SABLE — 7,190 total complaints
- MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS — 4,949 total complaints
- MERCURY MILAN — 3,211 total complaints
- MERCURY MOUNTAINEER — 2,646 total complaints
- MERCURY VILLAGER — 2,205 total complaints
- MERCURY MARINER — 1,716 total complaints
- MERCURY MYSTIQUE — 1,510 total complaints
- MERCURY TRACER — 754 total complaints