1999 Mercury Cougar

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #04V421000August 30, 200488,600 vehicles affected

  fuel system, gasoline

  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.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #01V230000July 9, 2001342,962 vehicles affected

  electrical system

  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.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #01V031000February 6, 2001120,000 vehicles affected

  electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery: cables

  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.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #01V032000February 6, 200133,000 vehicles affected

  exterior lighting: brake lights: switch

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

  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.

• NHTSA recall #00V075000March 9, 2000436,200 vehicles affected

  service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components

  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.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #99V226000August 18, 199910,011 vehicles affected

  latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

  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.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #99V194000July 20, 1999159,565 vehicles affected

  vehicle speed control

  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.

  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.

Other model years

• 1987 33
• 1988 55
• 1989 81
• 1990 86
• 1991 73
• 1992 92
• 1993 195
• 1994 137
• 1995 109
• 1996 62
• 1997 76
• 1999
• 2000 211
• 2001 82
• 2002 95