I have a 1999 Mercury Cougar, and have had it about 4 years now. I have had no problems with the car, except having to have the alternator replaced. I work 3rd shift (7P-7A) at a local hospital, and on my way home, my car started slipping in and out of gear. The car would go for a minute, then it would stop, and I would push the gas and the car would just rev up. I had a line of traffic behind me, so I as trying my best to get the car off the road. I finally got it into an empty parking lot and called to get some help. I was very tired from working a 12 hour shift and had to wait 2 hours for someone to come and get me. We got the car to a mechanic, which said that it was the transmission, and he then told me that he would drain the transmission, put new fluid in it, and see if that fixed the problem. To my very unfortunate news, the transmission has went out in my car. I am a full-time student and full-time working trying to make ends meet. Due to the transmission going out in my car, I have missed classes, and it's becoming a headache trying to get to and from work, school, and other places I need to be. I was told that the 1999 Cougar had a recall on the transmission and that I needed to find out about it. This is what I am doing now. I can't afford a new transmission, let alone a new car, while I'm trying to go to school. This whole ordeal has thrown me off, because there was nothing wrong with the car, and all of a sudden (in one day) the transmission went out. I hope this problem is resolved, and I get some help with fixing my car. I appreciate your time, and I hope that my problem is looked into. Thanks, gina brook melton

- Dixon, KY, USA

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 NHTSA with my complaint.

- Bloomington, MN, USA

Brakes continue to grind even after replacement. Transmission surges and hesitates upon acceleration causing unexpected increases in speed. Transmission also slips in and out of gears randomly. All of these problems could lead to a serious accident.

- St Petersburg, FL, USA

First transmission failed on the highway at 32,000 miles and was replaced under warranty second transmission failed at 82,000.

- Seattle, WA, USA

The car was driving fine. I got in it, started it, and put it in reverse, and it didn't go. I put it back in park, then in drive, and I couldn't go forward because of the curb. So I put it in reverse again, eventually, I was able to pull back out of my parking spot, but it went back hard, and I could have hit another car if one was in the space behind me, and when I did, it was very stuttered movement. When I P went forward (drive), it had a rubbing sound, like something was rubbing on something. We haven't done anything to this car because we have no money to even tow it. I just bought this car 5 months ago. It has run very well until this day.

- Maricopa, AZ, USA

I own a 1999 Mercury Cougar. I have maintained the vehicle per the service manual through the local Mercury dealership. Sometime during early April 2005, I noticed that the car hesitated and jerked violently after about fifteen minutes of normal driving. We were able to drive the car in for service. The dealer "diagnosed" the problem and replaced a part. The car continued to malfunction the very next day. I returned to the dealership and was told that the problem was with transmission. I have had the transmission replaced by a local Ford dealership. I am not sure whether the old transmission is available.

- Columbia, SC, USA

While driving 20 mph transmission gear block blewout. This caused heavy vibration in the vehicle. Consumer managed to pull over, and had the vehicle towed. The dealership will be notified.

- Clinton Township, MI, USA

I own a 1999 Mercury Cougar which currently has 5700 miles. The flywheel has failed, resulting in complete replacement of the starter and flywheel. The problem began more than a year ago but was so intermittent that my mechanic could not reproduce the problem in order to diagnose. At this time the vehicle is being repaired. Damaged parts will be retained for future inspection if needed. I conducted a websearch and found a website which contained many other owners of 99 Cougar experiencing the exact same problem, even at the same approx. Mileage. The website is located at: ://www.carsurvey.org/viewcomments_review_5988.html.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

Purchased car new, in 57000 miles we have had to replace, 2 alternators, 1 starter, 2 batteries, entire rack and pinion, power steering pump, transmission torque converter, 4 set of brakes, 4 sets of tires plus two individual tires all with sidewall blow outs except one puncture and 2 headlight switches, 2 cig lighters. The entire upper engine gasket set had to be replaced to get to an intake leak. The head lights and foglights work itermittantly, engine warning lights are constantly going on and off. Currently one headlight is out (lamp is good) fog lights are not working (today) and an engine warning light is indicating a problem again.

- Ofallon, MO, USA

The battery seemed low on the car, indicated by interior lights not being very illuminated, but then dashboard lights started flashing and windows rolled up very slowly. I charged the battery for many hours and it took a charge, so I could get to the Mercury dealer. It died when I got there and they were closed, so I had to jump it and move to a safe location to leave overnight. This had happened twice before in the past 2 1/2 years, so I new it was the alternator again! that's three alternators in 2 1/2 years. This time I am out of warranty and am expected to pay $550 for a recurring problem that clearly will happen again. The dealer can not tell me why this is occuring, and Ford "customer service" could care less. After researching this problem on the internet, it seems that many Cougar owners have experienced this problem continually. I have also had to have the transmission replaced, as well as the motor for the sunroof.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

While the car is running, my 1999 Mercury Cougar will shift from drive to neutral, to reverse, without ever releasing the lock. All it takes is slight pressure on the gear shift to change gears unintentionally. The dealer I just bought the car from 2 weeks ago, and Ford tell me that it is normal for the gears to move from drive to neutral with no effort. The dealer said no harm is done. You are just driving down the road at 60 miles an hour when you bump the gear shift, and lose all acceleration until you move the gear shift back to drive. I can see a real safety issue there. And, considering that this is my 16 year old's car, I see a real safety issue. It also would shift from 2nd all the way to neutral without releasing the lock.

- Seaford, DE, USA

While driving, the vehicle made a noise. The consumer immediately turned the vehicle off. When he restarted the vehicle and shifted into reverse, the vehicle failed to move.

- Medina, NY, USA

Repeated issues on various dates. Problem 1: the vehicle alarm will randomly activate itself. It will go through it's 5 minute alarm process and then shuts itself down. Then anywhere from 3 to 10 minutes latter it will set itself off again. It does not matter the location of the vehicle so that could rule out interference. Problem 2: battery lamp illuminates in the higher RPM range and battery and alternator have been checked to be functioning properly. Problem 3: there is a loud popping sound from the front driver's side when the car shifts to 2nd gear at full throttle.

- Blue Ridge, GA, USA

My car is a lemon. Have had a new engine put in it 2 times because the rods spun. I have had the brake lights "fixed" 3 times, the alternator replaced 3 times, new catalytic converters twice. New power steering. Transmission done 3 times. Theres definantly more I just cant think of alllllll my repairs on this 1999 Cougar. I bought it used and it has now 98000 miles cause I drive out of state.

- Elk Grove , CA, USA

Automatic transmission failed completely in forward. Reverse still works. Several service bulletins noting a defect in the tranny have been posted. Car had 60K on it and had regular transmission services.

- San Jose, CA, USA

Vehicle will only go into reveres gear. Dealer indicated this was caused by automatic transmission electrical failure.

- Flint, MI, USA

The vehicle did not shift correctly, it hesitated and surged when accelerated to pass other vehicle's, and there were no warning lights indicating a transmission problem. Scc

- Unkown, DC, USA

Consumer stated the vehicle jumped in and out of gear on its own, the dealer was unable to rectify the problem.

- Nowavo, CA, USA

Transmisson has failed. I've taken my vehicle back to the dealer a month after I purchased the vehicle to advised them of the jurking problem with the car also advised them that the coolant light will not go off. Dealer has checked the vehicle and stated they could not find anything wrong. As of now I am not able to drive the vehicle. Was advised by sales rep that sold me the vehicle the extended warranty would be worked into my payments however this is not stated in the contract. Not to mention the brakes grind when backing up in the vehicle they have been replaced on the vehicle 3 months ago and the brake light is flashing again. I was told by the dealer I would be responsible to pay $2700 to fix the transmission.

- Orange, NJ, USA

Brake lights are not working. Also, it is hard to get vehicle in and out of gear.

- Terrehaute, IN, USA