1999 Mercury Cougar from North America - Comments

I am also having a serious problem getting my 1999 car to pass emissions. I have taken the car to the drive thru inspection so many times they have given me a phone number to call for appointments to check it for free (this has been going on for six+ months now). Next I will be paying $350 to have my EGR ports cleaned. The check engine light has given me problems for over three years now. I even had it disconnected for a while. Does anyone know the answer to this problem???

Now I wonder *What was I thinking??* I have owned my 1999 Cougar for 3 years. Like others I have put huge amounts of money into this car- replacing catalytic converter- ERG valves (twice), DPFE, intakes, etc... and have pretty much driven the car for 2 1/2 years with the engine light on! Every time the tech's read the computer it comes up as *running lean*. Just recently replaced gas filter- but engine light came back on after 3 days. Now car pings (have always used premium grade fuel) and bucks and shudders when going up hills or whenever the car needs power- I also get a *burnt* exhaust smell when this happens. Any ideas??? Can someone help us all- I think it is pretty unusual that this is not a Mercury Recall issue- why do we all have the same problems??? My mechanic is throwing up his hands!!!

My fiance has a 99 cougar and has had to replace the alternator 5 times, the battery 3 times, had the engine mounts and positive ground wire replaced. He also had to replace the power steering rod cause the way it is set, the heat put a whole in it and it would start smoking. He has already put probably $1000+ in it and now, the car will turn over, but will not start up completely... anyone ever have this problem? How did you correct it? E-mail me at Peaches3401@msn.com and let me know if you have a solution and how much it cost. Thanks.

If your 1999 cougar is pinging change the mass air flow sensor. the part is about 105.00 at auto-zone. I went through hell to figure it out and that fixed it, as for the check engine light... here is the list, there are 4 yes 4 02 sensors, change them all even if the computer at your repair shop says only one is bad. the egr valve could be bad or clogged with carbon (clean or replace, there is a valve under the plastic cover on the top front of the engine that is motor driven I believe it is called an imrc motor. this motor likes to freeze up on cars with over 75000 miles. the cats could be bad, but it is not likely unless you drive for years with the check engine light on. do not ignore this light you could be causing more problems than you think I just went through a lot to pass emissions and I don't want to see anyone go through this. IT SUCKS!!! YOU CAN E-MAIL ME FOR QUESTIONS IF YOU WANT I Can't SAY I WILL ANSWER IT ASAP, but I WILL GET TO IT S.POINT@COMCAST.NET.

Reading these posts has been a revelation re. my beast of a car.

My '99 cougar idles rough while warming-up. I saw several posts with that same issue, but I didn't see any specific solutions.

I'd appreciate any ideas anyone might have. Please post or mail me back at greg.hutch@gmail.com.

Thanks.

I also have an 99 cougar, and now the car won't start. I put the key in the ignition and it doesn't move, it feels like it's locked. Any ideas what's the cause?

I also own a 1999 Cougar, and have had the same problems as everyone else. I spent $1,500 dollars to repair the car for emissions testing, finally passed, only to have the check engine light come on less than a month later. I have replaced the engine which controls the window which stopped working less than 7 months later. Currently, I am replacing my alternator which I was told will cost close to $600 dollars due to the poor design of the Cougar's engine compartment. I wish Mercury would step up and take responsibility for building this car, and HELP us!

We bought my son a 1999 Cougar and have had nothing, but trouble- We have had the sensors replaced, air conditioning problems, and constantly the engine light is on- we took it to Auto-zone and they said the code was an Oxygen Sensor- so we took it to the dealer and now they say it's the manifold gaskets and it will be like 200.00+ to fix it AGAIN! this car is nickeling and diming us to death I can't believe it, thank goodness my son still has us to help because if he didn't his whole paycheck would go into this car! Any comments please feel free to email us at cathie3455@comcast.net.

I have the poor misfortune of owning a 99 cougar and have the exact problems everyone else is having. The engine light has been on for the last 3 years, and I have had problems with the engine chugging at a stop and almost shutting off. I have replaced the O2 sensors, and the mass air driver and still have the same problems with the engine. Also my sun roof broke and has been broken for the last 3 years and the automatic window motor in my passenger door has been broken since the the car was only 2 years old. Mercury did a bad job of desinging this car and has never done anything to help those of us that unfortunatly own them.

I also own a 99 cougar. I have replaced the alternator and just recently replaced the battery. My check engine light has never came on, but just recently I was driving and my car lost most of its power including the lights went out, the gauges went dead, and I had some power surging. I wish my dad would have just sold this car to someone else besides me. I think it is a very good looking car, but anymore problems I will be selling this car. Any comments on my problems please respond.

Steendw03@uww.edu.

Okay, I also have a 99, and I also have all the same problems. I've done the alternator, ERG, mass air sensor, air intake hose, fuel pump, ugh.. what else?? Has anyone figured out what to do?

I had several alternators and batteries replaced with electrical problems causing the gauges to stop, power loss, car dying and not starting. The Ford dealer finally figured it out. I believe there was a technical service bulletin on this and the solution was to replace a voltage regulator I think was behind the dashboard. No more electrical problems since this was done. Good luck.

I have owned my 99 Cougar for almost 2 years now. However, after about owning it for about 9 months, it broke down on the off ramp. It took awhile for it to start back up. I was able to get home which was 5 miles away. Months later, I was informed by a mechanic that it had thrown a rod bearing which in turn bent a couple of piston. It also tore up the crankshaft. Because this car has sentimental value, I do intend on getting it fixed.

I have had a 99 cougar for about 6 months, and have had next to no problems. The only think right now is getting the alternator replaced because my battery light keeps coming on. And one of my dash board lights went out. If anyone knows an easy way to replace either of those, please let me know (1sharpc@gmail.com). I have been reading the comments and feel very lucky. I think one reason I have not had many problems, is because it is a manual transmission, and a 4 cylinder. Also, the person I bought it from took very good care of it. I like it personally. But of course, I have only had it for 6 months, so we'll see where it goes from there.

I have a 99 Cougar and I like the car a lot, except I've had to put 2 timing belts on it. I am also confused because when I do a tune up on the car, there's oil in the spark plug - not in, but around it, a large amount???. Also I am in need of a clutch and I've heard it's expensive "sigh" Oh well.