1999 Mercury Cougar from North America - Comments

The main reason these cars are so problematic is because they were built using the same platform as the Ford Contour/Mercury Mystique. Those cars are/were complete garbage so I am not shocked the mercury cougar is full of bugs.

My Daughter has a 99 Cougar with 40 thousand miles on it. We just had to replace the alternator last month, all dash lights, head lights, brake lights flicker unless you have the AC on full blast, and the head lights on, then it stops.

Can you help me out, why are the lights flickering?

If the car isn't driven for 4 days, why does the battery drain down? Even after replacing the alternator, if you let the car sit for 4 days, it will not start and you have to charge the battery.

Please help me fix my daughters car, she will be leaving for college in a few weeks!!

m_marni@hotmail.com

Wow, what I just read was a eye opener.

I've had my Cougar since 99, brand new off the lot. The check engine light has come on every so often, but like the manual states, I've filled the gas tank up... and it went off. I will say the one time it didn't go off, I thought it was the battery and/or alternator. I changed both twice, but the alternator sucked the life out of the battery. Came to find out, 20 bucks, some fuse between the 2 parts went, a fuse you can't see. It's wrapped up within a plastic tube.

In the past few months though, my engine races when I start it up, and it races until I get into about 4th gear. I think my clutch is going out, which at about 94,000 miles... should've gone out a long time ago. Anyone that has replaced their clutch, and drives their car without racing the gears.. let me know how many miles your clutch lasted??? Thanks... shapren@yahoo.com.

July 10, 2006.

Please listen all 1999 mercury cougar owners. My daughter had to have a 1999 red cougar about 4 years ago. Oh, sure it was a beauty. All of what everyone is saying happened to her car---the check engine light, the sun roof, the stalling, this and that. She even painted it black. She had 3 accidents in the car, never her fault. On July 08, 2006, she was entering into a freeway that cars could go right or left and split. It was an uphill climb. There were 3 lanes and as soon as she entered the freeway, her car started losing power and lights began to flicker inside of her car and she knew she needed to get to the left to be out of the way of incoming cars, then her car just died, right in the fast lane. After several cars passed her up, she was eventually hit from behind. A small truck smashed the back of the trunk and it folded up like an accordion. She was okay, but sore and her passenger the same. They could have been killed. My advice is to get rid of this car as soon as possible. All along, we kept thinking--why so many problems, one after the other, but never would have guessed this could have happened, all because of "stalling". Please enter 1999 mercury cougar recalls on the Internet, and you will come up with a few, even one as of 2004. It may apply to you and will give you instructions as what to do. There are a few and wished I would have seen the recalls before her accident. By the way, the insurance company came up with an appraisal of $6,500 to replace the car, but her life could never have been replaced. It really concerns me, that so many cars have been affected. I should add, the huge trunk did seem to have saved her life and acted as if it were a Sherman Tank.

ljones2@stx.rr.com.

I bought a 99 Cougar used from a private seller about 5 months ago. For the most part, so far, so good. The check engine light has been on for the last two months, and it came on (I think) because I had an oil leak that was clogging up the O2 sensor. I fixed the leak and replaced the sensor, and the light went out, but came back on again the next day. My local mechanic ran the code for the light and it basically came back as a phantom problem (i.e., it's just on, even though nothing is mechanically wrong). The car has been running superbly since I bought it, however. It is smooth and powerful. Initially, when I first start the car, it idles *slightly* rough, but I think that is because the O2 sensors haven't kicked in yet (supposedly they only work when the engine reaches its normal running temp.). That makes the car run in a sort of default mode, which has the rpm idle at 100-200 higher than it does when the engine is at its normal temp, and that causes the slight vibration. However, within 5 minutes (at most) of driving, the idle is perfectly smooth.

Also, I saw in one other post that someone was experiencing a squeakiness (presumably from the back wheels), and I actually have that problem too. I figure it's just the brakes, though, and I plan on replacing them with EBC green stuff brake pads (about $100 for the front and back sets together), which are supposed to be phenomenal. If it works, I'll be sure to write back and state so.

I'm actually really interested in modifying the car with cold air intake and various other performance parts, and I'd be interested in knowing if anyone has done that, and with what success. I'm thinking about the Weapon R dragon cold air intake (about $120) to start off.

As far as why my car runs well, I wonder if it's because I use the STP gas treatment with every fill-up, and the Gumout fuel injector cleaner every so often, as well. I also got a tune up somewhat recently, so that may have had something to do with it (although, it was running quite well even before the tune-up, so who knows?).

I've owned my 1999 Cougar for about 5 months and the check engine lights always on. I had it checked out and came up with.

P0402 EGR ECCESS FLOW

P0420 BNK1 EFF below limit

P1519 IMRC stuck closed.

When I would go past 3500rpm or 70+mph I would get a rotten egg smell.

Really don't have money to begin to fixing anything at the moment, so I just keep it under 35000/70+ and get no smell and it drives normal.

I also have had a few problems with my 1999 Cougar, but I have yet to fall out of love with the car. What I am wondering is if anyone knows how to manually reset the check engine light? I have to pass emissions soon and I am going to replace a faulty O2 sensor myself... plus I'm curious what my dashboard will look like with the light off, it's been on since I owned the car.

I currently reside in PA and I've had my '99 Cougar since August of '98. It has over 142,000 miles – accrued from highway driving, city driving, East Coast, West Coast, etc (even some time in Laramie, WY). I've owned the car since it had seven miles and I've had very few problems. My Cougar is a manual 2.5L V6. I thought I might be able to give some pointers to those looking to save themselves a few bucks at the garage. If you're mechanically inclined (even in the slightest), I would suggest buying a Haynes manual for a Ford Contour of the same year. Under the hood, the cars are essentially the same and the Haynes manual is great for troubleshooting and performing maintenance yourself. Also, rather than paying 80 dollars at a mechanic or car dealership for a diagnostic test, try Auto Zone (Advance probably does it, too) first – they'll give you a free diagnostic code readout. They'll also provide alternator tests and replace bad alternators for free (so you don't have to pay for a new alternator, which seems as though it's been a problem with some Cougar owners) as well as loaning out specialty tools to perform repairs. I have to agree that the tires are expensive and the choices are limited – the Internet is the best place to find cheap tires. Have them installed by a local mechanic. My windshield defroster vent also pops out when turned on "hi," but after nine years of ownership, a warped vent is forgivable (super glue or epoxy works great).

I had to replace the alternator and sunroof motor in my V6 99 Cougar a few years ago, fortunately the car was still under warranty from when I bought it new. Recently my check engine light was going on often, would go out and then back on. I had a mechanic friend check the code, and the O2 sensors coded. However, I had found somewhere on-line a recall notice about the fuel module. My Mercury dealer replaced the fuel pump module, free of charge covered by Ford/Mercury, and the engine light has not gone on since (that was about 4 months ago). Problem seems to be solved. Now I have a bad front wheel bearing now that needs to be replaced, the car has 99,400 miles. Other than these few items, I've had no issues... and still enjoy driving my car. I agree, tires wear out too soon, and are expensive.

I've had a 1999 Mercury Cougar for about 3 years, a 2.0 4 Cylinder Stick. I've got into two minor accidents hit in the front and the back, repaired the damage myself, and no major problems.

I run synthetic 10W30 and just replaced the spark plugs. I have a 110,000 miles and still have the factory clutch with no slipping.

The only problem I've had is the AC clutch screw falling out and the clutch falling out onto the street. I just screwed it back in although I am going to replace the AC compressor soon as it is making a noise and also it is idling at about 900 RPM's instead of 1200, although I think this is due to that AC compressor. I've had the battery light come on because of the alternator, but it is just pesky it doesn't really need replacing because the battery is still charging. Check your's with a multimeter, majority of the time people replace their batteries is because they don't fill them with distilled water when low.

I too own a 1999 Mercury Cougar and have had the same problems as everyone else. Here's a list of problems and what I have done to fix them. I hope that any other Cougar owner maybe be able to benefit from it.

1. Passing Emissons = Reset your car battery drive it for 2 days prior to the test put fuel injector cleaner in it, as well when you reset it.

2. Shutting off at stop lights uphill etc = There is a fuel pump recall on all 1999 through 2000 Mercury Cougars; have your your Ford dealership replace it. It is free due to it being a recall.

3. Loss of power etc = Replace your sparkplugs and wires. Do not!!! use bosch double platnium plugs they burn out withn one month use any plugs, but them also use Ford racing spark plug wires they are only $31.98 from summit racing.

4. Ticking in the engine camparment = It's only the fuel injectors. Once your cougar reachs 80'000 it will start the ticking its nothing major.

5. Lights dimming = Your dimmer control adjustment is bad it only takes 15 mintues to replace and a couple of dollars.

6. Parts being expensive = Most Ford parts are interchangeable with the Cougars: examples are Ford taurs 24v Ford taurs 3.0 Ford contour gl Ford contour SVT Mercury mystique call youre local junkyards even if they don't have a cougar the following parts from theses car will work on your Cougar.

Now these are the problems that I have had and this is what I did to fix them. I hope they work for you as they worked for me.

I too have a '00 Cougar. I bought the car new and now have 69000 miles on it. I just replaced the alternator (for the first time thankfully) last week. Once I picked up the car from the shop I have had issues with the dashboard lights flickering unless I have the air on full blast and the headlights on. Also the car runs rough at idle since then. When I am at stop lights I feel the need to put it in neutral and rev the engine a little because it feels like it is going to stall out. The check engine light has been off and on for about 6 months. I am afraid of the next thing that will happen. If anyone has solutions please post! Thanks, it is unfortunate that everyone is having similar problems with their Cougars...thankfully mine have only started recently, but i feel for everyone else... for the previous 5 years this car has been next to perfect, but it seemingly is turning into a money pit now!!

I purchased a 99 Cougar back in June, and since August I've started to experience problems. Just a couple weeks ago I had to have an O2 sensor changed, and just today my check engine light has come on and it sounds like there is some knocking in the engine. Anybody have any clue what this might be?? I'm at a loss. Otherwise, I love the look of the car, but I'm seriously starting to wonder if I purchased more of a problem that I can afford.

I've had my 99 Cougar for almost 4 years and although I love the way it feels/looks/etc. I've had nothing, but issues. After owning it for 3 months some kind of belt died, causing my car to die with it and somehow affected the air-conditioning. All replacement cost almost $900 but the dealer gave me a deal because he quoted me wrong (and because I only had the car for 3 months and complained like hell) I've had the blinker wiring get corroded and stop working, had to get rewiring. Check engine light ALWAYS on. Wrench on the top came on at about 35,000 miles and my sunroof stopped opening also at about 35,000 miles. Right now my battery light is on and I probably need a new alternator (I guess normal) and I've had to replace all 4 tires twice (in 2 years) because they wear, down to the belt. Needed a new front wheel bearing and realignment. doesn't drive smoothly at all anymore. I really love my car, It's super comfortable and I have all the bells and whistles. It suits me well... but more trouble than it's worth.

I purchased a 99 mercury cougar a few months back and have had nothing, but problems from the brakes to the engine. The major problem at hand now is that the engine will not run, start, or do anything for that matter. For the past few weeks the engine has been skipping on and off and really lacking power. The check engine light came on for a bad downstream oxygen sensor in bank 2 just a few weeks before the engine started skipping. Then on a cool night the check engine light began blinking as I was going down the road and I noticed under acceleration it was skipping and stumbling. When I came to a stop the engine was skipping bad. I continued to drive it up until the other night not being able to figure out the problem since it did not do it all the time. Finally I decided to change the spark plug wires and then took it for a ride to the gas station and it was still skipping and lurched hard under medium to hard acceleration. After getting gas I headed home and the car began to lurch violently non stop as I had to go up hill to get home. Then it died. I have run engine diagnostics and come up with many codes including the cam position sensor which I changed with no result. I changed battery thinking it might be a short or something in the battery causing power surges and setting off the sensors. Still nothing. It will not start for anything as of last night. Anyone else had a similar problem? Any solutions? Any help would be greatly appreciated!