I have only owned this vehicle for about 4 months and have had many problems including brake lights not working and back wheel locking up. It was raining, I was driving down the freeway about 55 mph and suddenly the power steering went out completely, the heat/defrost stopped working and my battery light came on. I just installed a brand new battery just 6 days before incident, although this isn't the first time the power steering went out while raining. This time it was extremely scary due to the high speed I was driving and because the heat stopped working my windows started to fog up quickly causing my visibility to be reduced dramatically while trying to use all my strength to steer the car around a curve without hitting another vehicle. As soon as I was able to see an exit I got off freeway and car died completely driving up the off ramp. Thank god there wasn't any vehicles behind me I was able to pull over after waiting about half hour car started back up, power steering & heat was back on. I have 2 young kids and I'm scared to drive in this car with them.

- Redford, MI, USA

Mechanical problems with 1999 Mercury Cougar. The vehicle died in the middle of traffic on three occasions. There were alternator and fuel problems. The consumer requested a credited amount of funds and reimbursement for the battery, brakes and additional expenses. Other problem are as followed: The new wheels were defective (corroded and frozen), the brake sensor snapped off of the wheel, the cd player was skipping, the hatch would not release properly, the steering wheel would shake, the keyless entry with anti-theft was inoperative, there was rough idle, the transmission shifter would stick, the cup holder did not shut, the hood would not open, and the lights would dim and or brighten while the vehicle was in motion.

- Canton, MI, USA

The engine will kill without any indications at high speeds of 50+ mph. When attempt is made to hit the brakes or steer, they both lock up and that is when I discover that the car is dead. Luckily, I never needed to use my brakes or steering when it happened, I coasted through traffic while having to turn the ignition off and then on again. The dealership has had it for two weeks, they have had the vehicle fail for them, yet it still reads as if there is nothing wrong with it on all of their diagnostics. It is under warranty and Ford is not offering to replace or reimburse me for the automobile. They actually told me to come pick it up and drive it till it happened again. Should traffic had been slightly different when this happened to me, I could be dead, my baby could be dead and whomever I hit could be dead. Yet Ford is taking little responsibility for it.

- Glen Burnie, MD, USA

Car sounds like it is falling apart when brakes are applied, steering makes loud sound when backing out of parking space, trunk won't open unless hit numerous times from remote or inside.

- Springfield, VA, USA