2000 Mercury Cougar problems
Owners have filed 283 complaints about the 2000 Mercury Cougar with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 26.1% of them — the clear leader, ahead of fuel system, gasoline at 14.1%.
Complaints283
Crashes20
Fires13
Injuries21
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 26.1% · 74
Fuel system, gasoline 14.1% · 40
Engine and engine cooling 9.5% · 27
Air bags 6.0% · 17
Vehicle speed control 6.0% · 17
Visibility 5.7% · 16
Unknown or other 4.2% · 12
Service brakes, hydraulic 3.5% · 10
Severity
Of those complaints, 20 describe a crash, 13 describe a fire and 21 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 10 model years of the Mercury Cougar in this data, 2000 ranks 2nd by complaint volume — 1999 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 8 in the last three years against 14 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 65,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns a 2000 Mercury Cougar. The contact stated that the interior lights and headlights flickered. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the wiring harness had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number 01v031000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 63,127 and current mileage was 67,000. Electrical system · reported at 63,127 miles
Mercury Cougar 2000 started to give me problems within the last week: lights flickering,loss of power, stalling. Currently in a garage getting a new alternator installed. Not under warranty. I fortunately found on the web that there is a recall for an electrical problem, but don't believe this will resolve the issue as it hasn't for anyone else. I read countless reports of this same problem on the web. Electrical system · reported at 59,875 miles
Flashing battery light. Lights would dim during accelerations or revving of engine. Alternator fails causing vehicle to stall in the middle of the road. Safety issue, I have taken the car to repair shop, mechanic states he has researched this and says this seems to be an on going problem with this model of car. Battery light still stays on and lights dim on acceleration after replaced alternator. Electrical system · reported at 90,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…