Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-75, 76-90, 91-105, 106-120, 121-125
I have a 99' Cougar that my parents got for me when I was a sophomore in high school. It did what we wanted it to, but not without some minor irritations.
The check engine light has been on for the full 4 years that I've had the car. The break light turned on and never turned off again 3 months after I got it.
It seems the trunk door of the car is too heavy or something because the door will reclose and lock if not opened right away.
There has always been a bad synchro in 3rd. (The car had 100,000mi on it when I got it.)
Whenever I fill my gas tank more than 3/4 full, the entire passenger compartment smells like I dumped gas on the seats instead of in the tank.
All of those problems were pretty minor and I could live with them.
I learned to ignore the warning lights.
I don't use the trunk unless completely necessary.
I've readjusted my shifting so that 3rd syncs before I let it engage.
I never fill my gas tank more than 3/4 full.
Simple. I can live with it.
Now that I've moved 1100 miles away from home, though, the problems have suddenly gotten worse.
The synchro in 3rd grinds almost every time I shift into 3rd.
First grinds and pops out when I try to start.
The engine has developed a terrible smell like it's getting ready to burn.
The gas tank now causes the car to smell EVERY time I get gas.
The locking system has failed completely.
Now, if I want to open my trunk, I have to do this awkward fuse-in, push button, fuse-out, teamwork circus act to get it open, and that act causes the car alarm to go off.
These new problems are a bit more serious and a lot less livable. I want to get rid of the car, but I don't think I can get enough money for it to get a new car. Since I'm in school, I probably will be living with it until the trans goes completely.
I know that these problems are not related to service and the previous owners wrote down every service with the date and miles and I've continued that. This car has been taken care of.
I love the looks, but hate the car.
I agree with all on the death trap that we all purchased because the car looked great on the outside.
My wife actually bought the car a year before we got together. Before we paid for the vehicle, the blower motor and blower motor switch went out, which cost an arm and leg, one of the remotes stopped working, the fuel filter had to be replaced, and we had to replace some resistors.
Two months after finishing paying for it, the fly wheel and starter had to be replaced, and what amazed me is that the motor had to be pulled to do it.
The spark plugs and wire had to be changed, which I was use to doing with my vehicle, but could not on this one.
The fly wheel had teeth missing again.
The alternator went out twice.
The tie rod and power steering had to be replaced.
A/C went out again, and when I took it in to get it checked, the mechanic told me the cheapest way to fix it was to sell it. He had the car three days and worked long and hard and could not get it running again. He told me no charge because he has never failed at fixing cars in 12 years until he got ours.
The transaxle light is now on and it is starting to lose power, the gauges and speedometer don't work.
I tried to convince my wife to sell it after the first 1500 dollar repair fee, but she was set on keeping it and we have put another paid for vehicle into repairing this one when I look back on the repair cost. She finally bought into selling when she was told it would take 5000 dollars to fix the catalyst converter, since they have three under there and 2000 to fix the electrical system. She thinks we can still get 3000 for it now with all the issues. I will settle for just getting back the cosmetic cost we put in.
We had to buy a new set rims because it was cheaper than buying one rim to match the other alloy cougar rims. Ford should send everyone a tolerance check for just owning one of those cars.
Owner of 99 v6 cougar. Just wondering if anyone knows where the heck the starter is?
Thanx.
I have had my Cougar since December of 1998 and while I haven't had quite as many problems as those that I've read, (maybe because I only have 75,000 miles on it) I definitely have had my share of problems NOT due to poor maintenance.
I think my car is ready for me to replace it's alternator for the 3rd time. If I don't drive it for 4 days or more it is usually dead. I get the battery checked (which I have replaced twice) and that is fine. I just replaced the alternator in June of 2007 and now another one? I only drive like 7500 miles a year.
I too have had the trunk strut woes but just paid out and replaced them.
I have had a fog light that consistently burns out within 2 days of replacing it. Dealership said it would cost a lot and take a long time for them to check the entire line for any shorts. OK...
I have an overhead "Light Out" signal that is always illuminated but goes off every time I hit the brakes...huh?
I hate the cup-holder as well after each spill of countless beverages it ruined a bunch of cassettes (hey it was 1998/99) and anything else I had sitting around the center console. I bought a cheap cup holder that you cram between the seat and the center console and never a spill since.
I have a different start noise issue (or "false-start" issue) that I have had since the very first year. Occasionally (+/- twice a month) I will go to start my car and I will get a screech noise and no start. Everyone who hears it says my starter is going but it continues to live and not seem to be getting worse almost 10 years later.
I, too have gone through more tires than I expected and yes I have alignments, so I think it is just a design flaw somehow. I have also gone through more brake maintenance than what I view as typical.
But overall the alternator / battery biz is killing me.
Sorry for the huge post, just frustrated.
I have a 2000 Mercury Cougar and am very pleased with the car. I purchased it in April of 2005, and live in Winnipeg, MB, Canada - so my first winter with it I experienced the full 'winter-effect' however a good set of Hankook winter tires (225/45/16) fit just fine on the factory wheels and took care of any winter problems. The combination 5 spd manual and traction control will allow me to get through most winter conditions until we get a 2 or 3 foot dump - then I have to just call in sick to work until the road is ploughed.
As for the battery/alternator problems, I to went through that; by my third replacement alternator my mechanic did a bit of research and found the the problem is faulty wiring around the alternator. An easy fix is to splice the red positive and wire it to the ground, it does not take care of all the 'flickering' but it helps a lot and makes the alternator work perfectly. That simple solution has kept that alternator going just fine for over a year now (whereas the previous replacements went after 2 months) and I am running two small subs in the hatch. I have not had to replace the battery as of yet - after 3 years I am still waiting on that one.
I have had to replace the tie-end rods, have the bushings re-packed and have had to get multiple wheel alignments - but Winnipeg roads are HORRIBLE! But I understand the car does have a 'sport' suspension and few other cars can corner at the speeds the Cougar can go around corners. Although replacement parts are expensive, and it does seem that Ford made thing as difficult as possible to replace anything.
Overall, it lives up to the name Cougar - a high maintenance red-head that requires time and energy - and cannot be ignored 3 - 4 days / week and be expected to perform. Sorry for the rant, but to me the car is worth the hassle for the driving experience it gives back. Maybe I will change my mind when I clear 100,000 miles and if the the problems start to pile up - I'm only at 130,000 KMS right now (about 81,250 Miles) and look forward to driving it every day.
Hi, I am planning to buy 1999 Mercury Cougar, so could any one suggest what I should check before I buy, and is it safe to buy that car at 113,000 miles?
So I too bought a 1999 car. The car had a little over 123k miles and got it about 2 weeks ago. I like the car, and well honestly I don't have as many problems as the other people who got their cars earlier and newer. Everything within the car works fine. It could just be that the car was well taken care of by its previous owners. But... the car does have a problem and it could be worth over 1k dollars of repair. I hope to only have to pay that much money now, and not have to pay more money in the future. I still plan to keep the car and I'm hoping to use it for a while.
Bought my loaded V6 Cougar new in mid 1999. For the first 5 years (70K) the car performed great. The last 4 years a different story.
- occasional grinding sounds when starting the car
- I'm on my 3rd alternator (car died once while going 120k/h on a highway)
- 3rd battery
- 2nd set of tires (this car needs special tries, very expensive!)
- A/C stopped working few years ago
- terrible cup holder design, I ripped it out long time ago after constant drink spills while turning
- driver side power window stopped working (managed to fixed my self)
- last two years rims started to leak air, I now own a compressor and add air 2/3 time a week to 3 tires
- power steering is terrible, noisy and hard and now leaking fluid, needs new pomp
- CD changer went dead long time ago
- changed fog light bulbs too many times to remember and finally just gave up on using them
- in cold temperatures the car makes a moosing sound on idle or stops, very embarrassing
- engine light on for last 3 years
- other small issues yet very annoying
It has 150K on now and it's at the end of it life, I should have sold it long ago. Now its going for parts on scrap yard.
Over the 9.5 years that I owned it, I have put in less than $3,000 in repairs and maintenance into it, mainly because I didn't bother fixing stuff that didn't matter, as long as it started and run it didn't get fixed.
Overall I give 8/10 first 5 years and 6/10 the remaining, maybe I was just lucky and didn't get any serious issues with it like most of the people here.
Replaced it with a new Honda, no more Ford or GM for me. My other car a Pontiac G6 will also be replaced with a Japanese brand at the end of its lease next year.
BTW. I never received any recall information from my Mercury dealer.
I purchased my 1999 Cougar in Jan 08. Since then I have a couple of problems with it. There were only like 70,000 miles, and at the time I thought it was a good deal, but now I see someone just got rid of it.
Well it started with the check engine light that came on 2 weeks after I got it. I was told it was the O2 sensor, got that fixed, and then 2 weeks later the light was on again. This time I was told it was the gas cap was not tight enough. This was fixed, but was on again a couple days later.
I just started to figure that the light was going to stay on, but then the coolant light came on, even though there was coolant. Also the gas gauge would go from full to empty and the gas mileage display would go blank.
The final straw was the battery light that recently showed up followed by the air bag light, that resulted in the power inside the car going out. I can't roll the windows up and the warranty has expired. I am told now that the alternator needs replacing and there is a leak in the intake pipe. I hate this car and would never get another one. I just want to get rid of this thing.
I totally agree with every issue that has been mentioned above.
I have a 99 Cougar that I purchased in 2004. I learned the cup-spiller lesson early on, adapted to it by holding the cup myself while turning.
The moon roof never worked. Oh well.
The trunk latch is an inconvenience. I have to open the trunk with the key.
Oh yeah, and if I open the trunk with the car locked, the alarm goes off.
The AC went out the year after I bought it. Got an estimate of $800 to fix. I sweat in the summer.
Spent $1700 on sway bars and tires and miscellaneous other items in Feb of 2008. Then the engine died.
Hadn't read these comments before or I would've pushed the thing to the scrap dealer. Alas, I put in a new engine (I do LIKE the car when it runs)...
And then one thing after another happened. Right now, it's in the shop getting a new alternator and probably a battery too.
The car has been a nightmare. It has been soothing and frightening to read of so many other in the same situation.
I have probably spent 11,000 dollars in repairs over the last year and a half. It makes me sick to think about.
The manufacturers of these cars should be ashamed of themselves. It's malpractice.
I have a 2000 Cougar purchased brand new in 2000. I had to replace the battery 5 times and alternator twice. I had all the recalls done. However, I ONLY have 22,000 original miles, and if the car sits for 4 days everything is dead. Sometimes it may click click and then go dead... or it's just totally DEAD. I thought the alarm system maybe was draining something, but this wasn't an issue the first 2 years. The issues started like 5-6 years ago. I dread going to my car after it sits for a while because I KNOW I'm going to have another dead battery. I can't keep replacing 2 times a year!
I don't know what to do anymore. The car is in mint body shape and I love it. But it's killing me with the battery and alternator problems! Anybody have any ideas what to do besides GET RID OF IT? That's not an option now! Thanks!.. ps. I'm a female so please don't get too technical! I do understand a lot of things, but I can't be taking the car apart! :) Help!!!
Well, my car is a 99 Cougar, that has about 110,000 miles on it, and it's working great. I love it. I would just sell it to buy a new car of the year, but I can't complain about my lil Cougar; it hasn't let me down.
Yeah one time I did have to get it a new transmission, but it cost me $400, so I thought it was a good price. Besides, there are always malfunctions in all cars, but I know there are more in Ford cars, and we all know our Cougar is made of Ford parts, but I still wanna buy a 2009 Ford Mustang :) Good thing I'm surrounded by mechanics in my family; if anything goes wrong I can get it fixed quick and cheap. ;)
I bought my car for $4,800, so I thought it was a great price for my first car, and it looks brand new so I'm just so happy planning on putting new good things on it, and then when I sell it get some money for it.
I have a 99 Cougar that I bought in Jan 08 with 37,000 miles, now has around 45,000. I bought it for 5100.
I have not had that many problems as other people. The alternator and battery problem was horrible, but luckily my dad knew some one to fix it, but it took almost a day because of the way the engine sits.
My moonroof motor went out, got it fixed.
My back brakes needed to be replaced, fixed that too.
For the third time my check engine lights on, I just let it stay on. Don't even use the cupholder.
Factory stereo buttons were warping, I put in a new CD player. I love my Cougar to death, but I'm scared of what will happen next.
99 Cougar V6 Manual Loaded
I bought this car from my dad in January '08.
My dad purchased this car off the sidewalk at our local Mercury dealership with 11 miles on it in Sept. '98.
1. His first problem wasn't for about 4 years when the alternator went out coming back from a concert @ 2am.
2. The next problem he had was the sunroof issue, except his was stuck in the 'vent open' position, making an immediate repair necessary.
3. Brakes seem to wear a little quickly as 4 sets of brakes all around and needing a 5th set when I receive the car.
4. I've had a couple electrical anomalies develop over the last year of ownership. RR signal stops working for minutes, hours and days at a time then spontaneously starts working again. Bulbs replaced and wiring visually inspected with now avail. LF low beam harness lost power. I was moving my car turned my lights on, both on, I pulled into the driveway, left shuts off. Still no resolutions besides aftermarket harness using 12v supply on right side to trip a relay.
5. Clutch slave cylinder went out. This requires the transmission be pulled for installation. I had a new clutch installed since the tranny was open (110K miles on first clutch).I don't see too many people on here with this problem, but I have talked with countless others with the same problem on a couple forums; that's how I diagnosed it in the first place.
6. 10 minutes after picking it up from the shop (the clutch and cylinder job). Hot day... car starts to get a little warm (just under 3/4 on the gauge) climbing a hill in stop and go traffic, so I cut the heater on and bring it down. As I'm pulling off the exit ramp the car shuts off so I coast to a gas station. Turns out to be the main engine fuse, includes starter and all!!
7. Speed sensor just melted one day... harness and all. I had to clip a harness plug from a junk car to repair, as well as replace the melted sensor itself.\
8. I'm working on #8 AND #9 right now. The exhaust starting making a funny shuddering noise, almost like it is hitting the framer or the parts when turning it wraps against something, full inspection on a lift. Don't know if it is internal or not. Could not replicate it unless driving. #9 is at least 2 wheel bearings going out at once. While I think a third is near (subtle grinding).
Overall I LOVE THIS CAR!!! But I do not love the problems I have had. Good luck with this car if you should choose.
It's your decision.
2000 Mercury Cougar.
"LOVE IT", bought it brand new and still have it, knock on wood, nothing went wrong but the sun roof. I never had a problem with her except now from the sun, the stripping on the front driver and passenger door is starting to pit, anyone know where I can find new stripping?