1999 Mercury Cougar problems
Owners have filed 740 complaints about the 1999 Mercury Cougar with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 14.9% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of service brakes, hydraulic at 11.5%.
Complaints740
Crashes34
Fires3
Injuries38
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 14.9% · 110
Service brakes, hydraulic 11.5% · 85
Engine and engine cooling 9.9% · 73
Visibility 7.6% · 56
Power train 7.2% · 53
Fuel system, gasoline 5.3% · 39
Exterior lighting 5.3% · 39
Structure 5.1% · 38
Severity
Of those complaints, 34 describe a crash, 3 describe a fire, 38 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 10 model years of the Mercury Cougar in this data, 1999 draws the most complaints of any of them.
Filings have fallen off, 19 in the last three years against 23 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 73,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Problems with vehicle's trunk coming unlatched from the inside. *Mr the horn was also inoperative, the vehicle stalled, and there was a constant problem with the blower/fan. The consumer requested to be reimbursed for the repair cost of the blower. *Scc there was a recall regarding the heater blower resistor, however the dealer stated the vehicle identification number wasn't included in the recall. Electrical system
When starting the car it's making a grinding noise. Finally, took vehicle in and it was the flywheel and starter. Dealer fixed it. Had the vehicle for two weeks after repairs, and it still didn't start. When turning the ignition key, it would either make a humming sound or nothing at all. Dealer kept it for 3 weeks and put over 100 miles on the vehicle, and still can't find what is wrong. Electrical system
My car will not start. After I have driven it and start it b ack up it will not start. This has been going on since january 2000. I've taken my car to the dealer five times and they keep saying they can't find the problem. I've filed a suit with the lemon law but its taking to long. Please help me. I can't cut the car off when I drop my kids off at the day care. I'm beyond frustrated. Electrical system
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…