Faults:

1999 Mercury Cougar - Alternator and battery replaced; alternator twice within 1-yr. A/C failed at 50k miles. Brakes done three times in 100K miles. Continuous problems with dash lights and headlights flickering (all TSB's done to no effect) ; no mechanic can solve this problem... not even Ford/Mercury. Engine miss in 3rd gear. TSB on battery cable had to be done. Heater core failed due to galvanic action (known problem) ; required replacement.

General Comments:

This driver will NEVER purchase another Ford or Mercury after 7-years of pain.

Faults:

I have owned the car for only one month, and it will not start early in the morning. I was first told that it was the security system, then the engine computer, and now the cam sensor.

General Comments:

The car looks nice and runs fast, however the ride is bumpy, and the interior is ugly and cramped.

Faults:

Where do I begin...

Bought my shiny red cougar brand new in 1999

Wheel bearing right and left side replaced twice. (1200.00)

Check engine light still on after replacing all sensors. Had the dealer run a diagnostic test and said "it was a computer malfunction". guess what, light is still. Took it back to the dealer, now it's reading fuel is running lean. Suggested a using higher octane fuel. None of these suggestions work. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON. The rotten egg smell, yeah I've gotten used to it. Now no one seems to be able to figure out the problem.

Luckily, I only had to replace the alternator and starter once however, dealing with the Flywheel. How does a car damage metal teeth. The mechanic says most likely it is the way the alternator sits or simply a manufactures defect? Go figure.

That thing keeps popping up when I turn the defroster on. Tires are very expensive to replace, especially when the mechanics of the car are defective.

Call Ford Customer Relations, all you get is that the car is out of warranty and there is nothing they can do. Well duh, if everyone is having the same or nearly the same issues, something has to be wrong.

General Comments:

Is anyone interested in filing a class action lawsuit against Ford Motor Car. If so email legacy1942@sbcglobal.net. Searching for lawyers that will help with getting the car recalled, repaired or reimbursed for money well spent. It's worth the try.

Faults:

Had the sub frame replaced right after I bought it, and the dealer said I couldn't "prove that it was sold that way" and refused to repair it. Insurance took care of the 3,000$ repair bill, and I never went back to that dealer and told everyone I could think of not to do the same. I hope they suck on it.

As for maintenance issues, the key wouldn't turn and the steering assembly had to be replaced. That was under warranty, and had to do with an issue with the passive theft deterant.

The check engine light has been on and off all 8 years, and each time I take it in, there's no code.

The alternator went out in the middle of nowhere in New Mexico.. luckily I have AAA Plus, with 100 miles towing, so it became an adventure, and we got to explore Gallup, New Mexico while it was repaired.

I have a slight oil leak that I'll need to take care of, but at 108K, no complaint on that.

General Comments:

Great road trip car, but only for 1 or 2 people. The back seats are too small for anybody other than children.

Faults:

I purchased this vehicle with a bad floor resister (A/C ran only on high). 58000 miles.

Next I had to replace my fan motor. 58500 miles.

Following this I had to replace the alt. 60000 miles.

Clutch burnt out. 61500 miles.

Almost the worst part... Parking break failed and the car rolled under a pool fence. 62000 miles.

Worst of all, my cougar’s engine blew. 71000 miles.

These are only a few of the problems my Cougar has suffered from.

General Comments:

Beautiful car- headlights are the highlight.

The V6 Cougar approaches V8 power when a ram air intake and dual exhaust are added.

The Cougar's seats are definitely not for long trips.

Handles extremely well, she'll take a tight corner while accelerating.

Reliability is the main issue though; I've seen simply strange problems as well as your usual cougar trouble.

If you don't mind forking out money for parts and want an inexpensive toy a cougars a good car; for a guy like me who wants it to start every day for school, it's not a good selection.