1999 Mercury Cougar 2.5L from North America

Summary:

Terrible idle noise - need help

Faults:

This car gives me all the troubles.

The most recent one is the idle noise. Often when I release the gas pedal while driving, or when I start the car on cold days, there is a strange noise coming from underneath the hood. It seems to come from a vibration, because I can feel the vibration on the gas pedal resonating with the noise. And sometimes the engine will die gradually die when there is the noise, and I would also sometimes lose power steering. I wonder if anyone has had similar symptoms, and I would appreciate if you could tell me what is the problem. My email is yngzhou@gmail.com

Besides that, I have all my lights flickering after the last battery change.

My check engine is on. It is the notorious problem with the EGR system. I had the DPFE sensor changed two months ago. The engine light was gone for about a week and then it came back. The code is the same: P401. I really do not want to bother to change another DPFE sensor.

During the last 3 years after I owned the car, I have changed plug cables, all four brakes including rotors, all four tires. Changed one of the rear wheel support rim (if it is called that), changed some parts with the front end that I do not know the names. Did the alignment twice. Changed gas tank support.

I am so tired of sending the car to mechanic shops, and I am really sick of it. I will never buy a Ford car again, or any American car.

General Comments:

One thing good with this car is the look. And it runs smoothly with good handling on the road when everything is all right.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 1st December, 2008

1999 Mercury Cougar V6 2.6 from North America

Summary:

If you close your eyes, you won't like it anymore

Faults:

The battery died on the freeway, while the car was in motion!

The radio quit working at 64,000 miles.

The power windows are starting to go up very slowly, so I'm going to assume that they are going out.

At about 70,000 miles it has started to make a terrible noise in reverse, and I haven't quite figured that one out yet; it goes in the shop for the 3rd time next week.

General Comments:

The car looks great, and that is about the only good thing about it. It constantly needs work done. I'm always afraid of it breaking down.

I've only had the car for about 9 months, and have taken it to the shop twice, and soon it will be going in again.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 26th November, 2008

1999 Mercury Cougar V6 from North America

Summary:

A Terrible Vehicle. I will never buy Mercury again!

Faults:

This car has been nothing but a headache since the day I bought it. There have been serious transmission problems, mainly a loud clunking sound, every time I switch gears. In addition, this summer I was stranded in the middle of nowhere when the radiator blew. Also, the other week the solenoid wasn't working and I couldn't move my car from Park to any other gear. This car is incredibly unreliable and I am sick of putting money into it.

General Comments:

Everyone who owns a '99 Cougar should take it to the dealership; there are 3 recalls on the car. One is about when the car shifts, brake pressure, and lastly about the solenoid. Even with all these things fixed and replaced, it is still the worst car ever!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 24th November, 2008

25th Nov 2008, 20:45

1997 and older Cougars are superior in terms of reliability and build quality!

1999 Mercury Cougar from North America

Summary:

I'm going broke, because I bought a lemon

Faults:

First off, the check engine light has been going on none stop, and it's getting rather frustrating.

I've had to replace the ignition.

The sun roof no longer goes up.

The clutch just one day decided not to work. Apparently they found the bolt that fell somewhere inside the car that could have done serious damage, but I still paid over 300.00 plus towing for a bolt.

The window no longer goes down. Haven't even bothered with this situation considering it will be over 500.00 to have the motor in the window replaced.

To open the trunk has been a joke since day one if using your remote on the key.

The newest problem to add to this joke of a car, is that I'm the only one who has ever owned it. The starter has completely broke. I'm talking about the core of it. Everyone who has looked at it is shocked and has never seen this before.. So I'm at a complete loss to this, and want to know if anyone else has had or seen this.

On top of this, the clutch has not been the same and has done strange things ever since the bolt was replaced. I have a new starter, but I'm a little hesitant to pay to have it replaced. I'm wondering what in the world could have caused the starter to break in half in the first place?

General Comments:

Has anyone had any or some of these problems? Mostly I need to find any information regarding clutch or starter problems.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 12th October, 2008

13th Oct 2008, 22:31

If you want a good Cougar, get a '97 or older model. They are a LOT better. Read some reviews and compare to the '98+ models...