2000 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 #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 #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.

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 454
• 2000
• 2001 82
• 2002 95