1999 Mercury Cougar from North America - Comments

For the person that posted on November 11, there is a recall on the FDM (fuel delivery module) filter. Over time the filter can reduce the flow of fuel to the engine (this may have caused the "skipping" you witnessed) and eventually block it all together (hence the reason it doesn't start anymore). That doesn't explain the check engine light for cam position sensors though. That part makes it sound like you may have jumped time, but that doesn't make sense if it was happening on and off for a while. Those are just a couple ideas I had while reading your comment.

Hello, I too have a '99 Mercury Cougar, I have had the car 6 years. Recently while driving my car it begins to shake and I hear a "knocking sound" I drove the car a little ways and the car begins to blow blue smoke out of the tale pipe, at that point I could drive it no further. When a diagnostic was done it states "Multiple Misfires". According to a mechanic he believes that the valve that connects to the 6th cylinder has come away. Has anyone else experienced this? This car has 83,000 miles on it, is well maintained, but seems to be declining rapidly. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to email me at jmwright01@gmail.com.

Thanks.

I have owned a 1999 Cougar for 4 years now and also have experienced many problems. So far I have dealt with the Alternator, Battery, Sunroof got stuck, my trunk won't stay open when I want it to, and my clutch is giving out. I have also had problems with the engine not starting at times, and of course the famous yellow coolant light that comes on and off and detours me from passing emissions inspection. I am still searching for a solution to that light problem... any ideas? If I had the money then I would definitely sell this car for the little money it's worth and buy something more reliable like a Honda... but for now I am stuck. : (

My mom has a '99 Cougar and the dealerships just give her the run around with all the same problems that everyone else is having. The car has 66K miles on it. Why doesn't Ford recall the crap out of these things and fix them. They are all lemons.

I bought my son a 99 cougar this year. Nothing but problems! The sun roof has never works (we knew that) but after we had it only 2 months it stalled. My son was driving along and suddenly it started hitting high rpm's, the lights started going on and off, then it just died! We jumped it the next morning and managed to get it home. While debating on what to do, it seemed to fix its self as fast as it broke! We had no more problems for a few months, then the same thing happened again. We replaced the battery (wouldn't you know it was almost 90 bucks for what it needed to have). A week later... same thing! So I guess we'll try the alternator. Is that working for everyone? I see that people are replacing it left and right, but is it really the problem? I'm upside down here, and I can see I got a lemon with a common problem. Why won't Mercury take care of it???

For you folks having the jumping idle and throttle issues try installing a new Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) located on the throttle body. Its available at AutoZone, made by Wells, part number TPS-246, and runs $ 30.00.

I bought a Cougar a while ago, and I LOVE it. I have the coolant light issue, but oh well. It runs like a dream and looks awesome. I do the oil changing as required, and baby it like you wouldn't believe, and in return, it takes excellent care of me. The only thing I've had to buy is a battery. I don't beat it, and it loves me for it.

My girlfriend has a 1999 cougar that has recently been acting up. The other night it got really cold here and when she started her car it turned over, but the RPMs kept fluctuating from high to low and vice-versa. But it stayed running. This morning I tried to start it and it dies if I take my foot off the gas pedal. I looked under the hood and it looks like one of the cables that connects to the throttle is really loose. Its not the cable that runs to the gas pedal, but the one that goes to the pump against the firewall. Could this be the reason for the problems? Any feedback is much appreciated. Thanks.

I have had a 99 Mercury Cougar for about 6 months now. I have had to put about $2k of parts into it and now, when I start the car and stop, the rpms go up and down and the car shakes. Does anyone know what the problem is? If you do please e-mail me at Carter_747@hotmail.com.

I have a 1999 Cougar with approximately 72,000 miles. I have recently noticed a slight vibration at approximately 40 MPH. It seems that it happens only upon acceleration.

Additionally, I recently hit a deer requiring two new headlights, grille and hood replacement. No new or "good" used headlights could be found anywhere in the country, so the damaged lights were reinstalled. They still light, but are cracked. Information received indicates that no new ones will be manufactured until January.

Incidentally, the vibration was noticed prior to the incident with the deer. I'd appreciate any thoughts on what might be causing this.

I have had my '99 Cougar for over 7 years, and 169,000 miles. I absolutely love it. The problems I have didn't start until after 150,000 miles so I consider myself lucky. I had replaced the alternator in 2002. Aside from that, I have put very little money into the car. I have replaced tires and brakes due to wear and tear of the vehicle. I've replaced the battery once, and change the oil every 3 to 5,000 miles.

My sun-roof tilts, but doesn't slide. I owned my car for six years before that happened. And the check engine light has been on for over a year now. It passed inspection without a problem, so I am extremely blessed. It stills runs great and is fun to drive.

I just bought a Mercury Milan because we need a family car. I hope I can sell the Cougar after reading the experiences everyone else has had.

And the issues continue...1999 V-6, automatic, 95K miles and here's the latest problems with it:

1. Service Code P1744: Torque converter clutch stuck in off position (rebuild tranny = $ 2300 +/-)

2. Code P0171 & 0174: System too lean on banks 1 & 2 (MAF = $ 125, O2 sensors = $ 200) or could be vacuum leak, ignition misfire or fuel injector problem.

3. Code Po402: EGR flow is excessive (EGR valve = $ 45) or EGR pressure sensor = $ 55) or passages blocked with carbon or EGR solenoid defective.

You have to love it when the option are all trial and error.

This is on top of the a/c unit issues, tire issues, throttle issues and so on.

Anyone interested in buying a Cougar at a good price? LOL.

Although I am so distressed about the problems I have been having with my 99 Mercury Cougar (109,000 miles), I am heartened to see that I am not the only one with these problems.

I have had a check engine light on constantly. The mechanics hook it up to the machines, get 4 different codes each time and scratch their heads. They fix what is "obviously" wrong and then re-set the codes in hopes the check engine light will not return.

Two weeks ago, I had to replace an 02 sensor after my car started stalling and then completely died while I was stopped at a light. The check engine light was on - the mechanics said it was producing 4 different codes, all in conflict with each other.

They thought something might be wrong with the catalytic converter because it was giving them a conflicting code on a different bank side indicating catalytic converter. They replaced the sensor and said drive it for a week to see what happens in hopes it's not the the catalytic converter.

All was fine until today and that stupid check engine light has returned. AutoZone did a free check for me today and said it's showing 4 different codes, again. He said it's "running lean" on both banks and there may be something wrong with the air mass flow system (which costs $78 at AutoZone) but I don't know anyone who can install that unless I take it to a mechanic who will charge me $90 an hour for labor.

I also have had to replace the battery twice and the alternator once.

I have never seen a notice about the fuel pump module being recalled. Did they not send out notices?!?!?!? I have owned the car since it was brand new.

I am so tired of having my car in the shop more than it is on the road!!!

The EGR code you're getting could be related to the EGR Pressure Feedback Sensor... commonly known as the EFP sensor. On a lot of Ford made vehicles it will throw the EGR code because it has no code named for the EFP sensor. The part will cost around $60.00 and it is really a trial and error replacement. Do some research and check out your options to spend the $60 or have the little light on in the left corner.

I am amazed at all the problems with the 1999 cougar. I also have one, I've had it for seven years, brand new.

I have replaced the tires, the battery and the brakes once.

My car has not been that much of a problem, but here is what I have experienced.

The sunroof is off track, tilts a little when I close it.

My main problem at this time is that on a cold day this week when I turn the ignition the car began idling really fast, then it would die down and kept fluctuating from high to low then it cut off. While I was driving it started idling very fast again and when I pressed on the brakes the car did not stop immediately. I have parked it until I can take it to the shop and I am so afraid it will cost and arm and a leg.

I just had my car serviced and inspected in November. The mechanic said the car has an oil leak, but I would think an oil leak would leave oil spots in my drivway or wherever I park and that is not the case. I check the oil frequently since then and it seems to be fine. Could the mechanic have been seeing another oil leak of some sort, I'm paranoid about car repairs because sometimes you take your car in for one thing and they discover several others and there goes your checkbook.

Anyone experiencing these problems or have a solution please let me know.

Thanks

nbaird@mail.duke.edu.