NHTSA — Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
49,787 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1999 Mercury Cougar engine problems

engine problem

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1999 Mercury Cougar Owner Comments

problem #13

Feb 012011

Cougar 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1999 Mercury Cougar. The contact stated that the check engine light illuminated upon starting the vehicle. In addition, the engine exhibited a loss of power. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop and the contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure recurred approximately eleven months later. The vehicle was taken back to the repair shop and the contact was informed that the same repairs would be needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 04V42100(fuel system, gasoline). The failure mileage was 125,000. Updated 03/14/12

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #12

Mar 192001

Cougar

  • miles
Bought car at dealer on 02/05/01 since then I've had to repair car on too many occasions. Here some of the repairs I've had to do on this car ever since I bought it. On 3/01: Brakes, 10/01: Dealership replaced battery and performed a recall,12/01: Dealership replaced alternator, 05/02: Brake pads, 04/04: Water pump belt, 09/04: Replaced batter, 10/11/04: Replaced alternator and belt, 10/14/04: Replaced positive battery terminal, 12/04: Replaced radio, 02/06: Replaced motor mount, 01/07:replaced battery, 02/07: Replaced strut, 02/08: Replaced shock absorber, 10/08: Replaced battery, 04/09: Replaced bearing, transmission & anchor engine mount and don't have the date but also had to replace the windshield wiper motor. These repairs are what I have in receipts yet for example I have replaced the motor mounts more than once. Currently the following areas of my vehicle do not function: The horn no longer works, cruise control is not functioning, the air conditioner no longer heats, & the brake light of my vehicle remained lit when the vehicle was on and now have failed to turn out (lamp socket is burnt).

- Brownsville, TX, USA

problem #11

Apr 242007

Cougar 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Recall of brake pressure control. Ford service center states repair was done on 12-19-2000, but there is no records to confirm. In addition, the fuel system recall, Ford states that there isn't one on my vehicle, however, my vechicle displays the same symptoms described under recall 04V421000 and the continuous check engine light. I have had all sensors repaired that came up in engine diagnostic testing. According to last test done, reads fuel is running lean but can't repair because no code appears for that to show where problem lies. I have had fuel system flushed to help remedy problem. Still having issues.

- Cleveland , OH, USA

problem #10

Jul 152006

Cougar 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 126,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

: the contact stated while driving 35 mph on dry city streets, the check engine light illuminated without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however no problem was found.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #9

Mar 012006

Cougar 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 109,000 miles
: the contact stated while driving at various speeds the engine stalls causing all the lights on the dash to illuminate. Additionally the speedometer, gas gauge and odometer become inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealership but because it was purchased as is they will not inspect it.

- Waverly, NY, USA

problem #8

Jan 232006

Cougar 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,223 miles
As soon as I bought the car used with 49000 it wouldn't start. Replaced the starter, still wasn't right. Had to replace the flywheel because the old and new starter never matched properly with flywheel. Then, the engine light came on. The egr sensor was bad. Replaced the sensor. All of this within one month of owning the car. Then a few months later coolant light wasn't just coming on, but staying on, had to replace coolant tank due to shorting of the sensor in the tank. Now, six months after owning car, engine light is back on.

- Bernville, PA, USA

problem #7

Mar 212005

Cougar 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 111,004 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

3/21/05 vehicle taken to Lincoln Mercury driveability concern by>>( my wife)>>>check engine light on, they fond intake gaskets leaking vac & bank 2 also monitor are very active need tune up and plug wires and tires... my wife gave them all technical service bulletins diagnostic trouble codes PO420 & PO430 paper....also, told them 99-Mercury Cougar 2.5L engine stall and have inability to start car...they kept paper, and told her she need new battery cables!!!! call manufacturer on tsb and recall, we was told there was no recall on our vehicle I.D. number....etc........consumer reports used car buying guide fond recall ---99-00 Mercury Cougar with 2.5L V6 engine----natsa number #01I009000 please help.............

- Cedar Hill, TX, USA

problem #6

Sep 012005

Cougar 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I have had multiple problems since I purchased the car in 10/99. I have had the sun roof replaced once and now needs it again for the same reason; the track broke ($1000 to fix, $2000 if I go to the dealer). The ignition switch has been changed twice because it sticks (it need to be changed again). In 2/00 it started: Whenever the car got cold, the car would either not turn on or would just shut down while I was driving. The car was brought to the dealer multiple times for the same problem. He changed numerous parts but was unable to resolve the issue, until a 2004 recall for something to do with the fuel system. About three years ago the engine light came on at which time the dealer replaced the catalytic converter. A few weeks later the engine light came on again at which time the dealer told me it was the head gasket. That, I had replaced by an independent mechanic and then still had to bring it back to the dealer to have the catalytic converter done a second time, and to have the computer reset to have the engine light shut off. Anytime I have work done on the car, even just maintenance, the check coolant light or the engine light comes on and I have to bring it to the dealer to have it shut off. In 9/05 the coolant light illuminated and a day later the engine light came on, I brought the car to an independent mechanic who changed the overflow tank because he believed it to be a bad sensor. After fixing that, the engine light would not go off as well as one of my brake lights. He did multiple tests and determined that it is something electrical, unfortunately he could not pinpoint the exact cause of the electrical problem. For some reason those lights have gone off but I expect them come back on soon.

- Spotswood, NJ, USA

problem #5

Jun 232000

Cougar

  • miles
1999 Mercury Cougar has problems with the speakers, battery equipment, brake equipment and instrument cluster.** answer required***. the vehicle pulled to the right while driving. The consumer stated on a separate occasion while driving she noticed the vehicle had no brakes, the consumer was able to find a mechanic who determined all for rotors and pads needed to be replaced. The consumer stated the brake light did not illuminate.

- Johnston, IA, USA

problem #4

Nov 092004

Cougar

  • 54,000 miles
While driving any speed, the vehicle would hesitate/surge forward before stalling. The consumer managed to pull over and restart the vehicle. The dealership will be notified.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #3

Mar 022004

Cougar 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving at any speed check engine light stayed on. Vehicle stalled, and was started again. Then, the vehicle revved severely. Dealer sent the vehicle to repair shops five times for estimates, but could not find the cause of the problem. The check engine light has been on since the vehicle was purchased.

- Lincoln, RI, USA

problem #2

May 032004

Cougar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving between 35 to 40 mph vehicle stalled. This caused loss of steering and brake power. Consumer lost the control of the vehicle, and was involved in a front end collision. Upon impact, neither of the air bags deployed.

- Ashkum, IL, USA

problem #1

Dec 142002

Cougar 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I have a 1999 Mercury Cougar and it has malfunctions all over in the engine. The main problem is that my prestone is leaking into my pistons therefore killing my whole engine. I have taken it to the dealer that had sold it to me but they have done nothing to fix the problem.someone needs to fix it and I'm not about to fix it.

- Pueblo, CO, USA

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