Comments: 1-15, 16-19
After I had the car for one month, the car was taken into the dealership where they had to replace the alternator due to the lights flickering (headlights, dash etc.) At this time there was about 2,500 miles on the car.
The second time the car was taken in was for the fuel pump, which had to replaced, at this time there was 5,500 miles on the car.
I had to return the car a month later for a recurring problem, the lights were once again flickering and dimming. The dealership (which made me pay for my own rental car) had to replace and reroute the wiring from the alternator, at this time there were 7,500 miles on the car. This appeared to be a major electrical problem which the dealership could not ever completely fix even if they would have had the car 365 days out of the year. I still had some dimming of the lights when I would accelerate the car, which was embarrassing having a new car that didn't work correctly.
Recently the car stalled going down the road and caught fire underneath the engine (which appears to have been a short). The car is currently sitting at the dealership as of today. The dealership will not fix the car and insurance will not fix the car due to this being a mechanical problem. This occurred at about 37,000 miles.
My first comment would be don't buy a Cougar, unless you would like to pay for something you are not going to get. I plan on letting the car be repossessed, unless I could find some more information on these matters to get a lawyer.
There have been several recalls on these cars for wiring problems which cause them to catch on fire, or if your lucky will not start.
The car seemed nice when I was not paying for the car to be fixed when it was under warranty, it felt like I was getting my money worth out of the car, but is defiantly not worth it.
My two cents would be if you have a "NEW" Cougar don't let what happened to me, happen to yourself, sell it.
If you have any information that could help me in my case, or would like to be involved in the case, email me at cpqa_1@hotmail.com.
Thanks for reading.
Chris Patton.
Several recalls?
There have been 3 recalls on this car. 1 is a misrouted battery wire that was getting too hot and the insulation was melting. Not a big deal in all actuality. Especially since they announced the recall over 2 years ago. If you recently had this problem, that is your fault for not paying attention to your recall notices.
The other two recalls are only for cars without ABS, so I don't really know about them.
I have had similar problems. The car is faulty. This is why they do not make them anymore. I agree with you 100%.
Well, I agree with Chris. I've had the exact same thing happen with my car regarding the flickering of the lamps/lights, flashing of the battery light until it stays on continuously after which everything starts shutting down and the car cuts off in rush hour traffic! I've just started having this problem this year and I bought my car brand new in July of 2000. I've always had it serviced at a dealership. Well it has broke down 3 times with the same problem within a month and a half. The first 2 times Pep Boys put 3 alternators and a battery on it. Well guess what it has broke down a third time with the same symptoms each time and now it's at the dealership. They put another alternator on it and said they had to rewire a harness. It's costing me $700. It sounds like the rerouting of the battery cable recall, but they are trying to tell me, there isn't any recall on my car according to the VIN number. I hate this car and is ready to get rid of it. No more Mercury cars for me.
I have had the same problem with my Mercury Cougar. I bought it in 2000 brand new. The lights began to dim in December of 2003 and has been an ongoing issue with the battery light flickering on, breaking down on the side of the road, and now the battery light won't turn off. I am on my 3rd battery, 5th alternator, they rewired the battery alternator harness twice, they put a new instrument cluster in the car, and now they are trying to put a new computer into the car. Thanks to a extended warranty or I wouldn't be able to do all this. I am about to give up on it though, I know I will never buy a mercury again. Its been nothing, but bad luck!
Three months ago, I purchased a 2000 Mercury Cougar V6. Two days ago, I am experiencing all the problems as those posted by other Cougar owners. I bought a new battery yesterday, 03/03/2005, and the problem was still not fixed. I was told this was due to the fact I need a new alternator. I called Mercury, and they also said there was no recall after checking my VIN. I WILL NOT be purchasing alternators and batteries left and right. Mercury is responsible for these defects and I think they should pay. I will never purchase another Mercury product again. Truth of the matter is... Cougars are beautiful cars, but definitely not reliable.
My Cougar had the flickering lights too. Replacing the alternator fixed it. It's a beautiful car that was very badly made.
I too have the flickering problem in my cougar. I am very surprised replacing the alternator fixed the problem. I have paid for mine to be replaced twice. No change in the flickering. As soon as I can pay off the money I have put into the repairs so far, which is a very large amount of money, this car will be sold. Good luck to whomever is the next owner!
I bought a 2000 mercury cougar in 2002, as my graduation present to myself. Later that year, I too began to experience the flickering lights, and dimming of the instrument panel. I have had a new alternator, complete wiring harness, 2 new batteries, and been in the shop countless times. I plan to sell the car as soon as I finish paying it off. the newest problem is that the battery light is staying on as soon as I accelerate, and does not go off. it is a beautiful car, however that does not compensate for all of its problems.
I also am having the same problems with the flickering lights and dimming dash. After reading all the comments I have decided to trade it in. I called the dealer and they say that there is no recall on this, and I cannot afford to put in 700.00 on something that is just gonna break again. So... I have decided to take it somewhere (during the day) and trade it in on something reliable. I did however speak to a man that had the same problem and he said a high voltage alt. is what seemed to fix the problem after he tried 3 different alt.
I bought a 2000 Mercury Cougar last February and since June I've had 2 batteries 2 alternators which one of them burned and I'm still having the same problems lights dimming and battery light flashing. I'm thinking about trading the car in because its not woth all the money and trouble.
After visiting this site my mind is set on trading in my Mercury. Two days ago, my alternator went in the middle of rush hour traffic. The first garage I went to wouldn't even replace it for me. Now that it's replaced, my car is still breaking down. I'm suppose to be moving twelve hours away in two weeks and I don't even have a car to get me there. I wish I had seen this website before I bought it.
I agree, I've spent too much on my car, I'm gonna sell it.
My wife hates her Big Cat and we are getting rid of it; replacing it with a Hyundai. Now her Cougar's temp gauge is pegging out on the hot side all the time. The dealer thought they had it fixed (for $546), but it is still doing it and it will be too expensive to replace the dash cluster!
The engine is overheating, and you want to replace the 'dash cluster'...why? It does not seem as if the problem is being addressed; merely the symptom.
I now have the strobe light effect occurring to my 2000 Cougar.
I have been searching the web for others with this problem in order to possibly find a solution. Unfortunately what I am finding is the same problem over and over again, but no real answers.
I am disappointed that the manufacturer is not stepping up to the plate to recall these vehicles, and will remember not to buy my next car from them because of it.
While I believed in buying American-made before, I will buy foreign-made(cars) in the future.
Very sorry I ever bought my Cougar.