On Topic (111) | Off Topic (1) | All (112)
Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-75, 76-90, 91-105, 106-111
I have a 99 Cougar and I would like to know if anyone else has trouble with your Cougar not wanting to start sometimes. After you let it sit for about 30 minutes, it will start. Otherwise that is the only problem I have with my Cougar.
In response to the alarm going off while driving, that happened to me too. The way I figured out how to shut it off was to use the remote to lock and unlock the doors. From what I understand, locking the doors with the remote arms the alarm. If your window is down and you open the door or hit the unlock button in the car after setting the alarm, the only way is to hit unlock on the remote. The red button doesn't seem to have any effect once its beeping at you.
I have gotten decent tire wear on my 99 cougar. I have replaced tires once in 40k miles and they're still looking good.
The 4 cylinder engine does great on gas with the manual transmission, I usually get 34-38mpg highway with cruise around 68-70mph. City driving is generally mid to high 20's. Every 3k mile oil change with Pennzoil 5w or 10w-30 I put in a quart of Lucas oil additive... it really seems to help mileage and performance.
So far the check engine light hasn't come on yet, but the airbag light has come on twice in 3 1/2 years for a couple miles then goes back off, both times after heavy downpour. Running 87 gas from the time I bought it (58k miles), it hasn't missed a beat (99k miles).
Granted little things have gone wrong, but less than similar aged cars my friends and family have.
Wow I thought I was the only one with Cougar problems. I had a bunch of different things changed on my 1999 Cougar. With problems such as yours;
The check engine light comes on and the throttle positioning sensor is messed up. It sometimes sticks and I go faster (even when my foot is off of the gas.)
This is a dangerous one!
My hatchback latch closes all the time after I try to open it.
Trouble with fuel feed, esp. regarding stumbling, stalling, etc with a half full tank or less.
The side paneling on both sides (rock guard) is peeling and creating rust.
If any of you found solutions to any of these issues please update me with some feedback.
Thanks for your time.
I have a 99 Cougar and love it.. I have put 30,000 miles since I have owned it and without a hitch... And for you people who have the rear hatch hitch not working like mine... Use your key.. Don't "trash" the car because you are too lazy to use the key... to open your trunk...
I have a 2000 Special Edition Cougar and I LOVE it! I bought it from a dealership in 2003 with 34,000 miles (it now has 57,000) and I haven't had any problems with it so far! It's been a great car and based on my experience (although it seems as others haven't been as lucky), I would recommend it!
If you purchase one, I would make sure you get it dealer certified (passed the 75 point inspection) just to make sure there aren't any major problems with it!
I have a 1999 Cougar V6 with 78,000mi on it. I too have had the engine light come on several times (air sensors) my question to you all is the battery light has come on every-time I "floor" it to pass or what ever since I got it! this week it fluttered and I lost all the instruments and the car died in an intersection (that was fun). But it was the alternator so I had that replaced and the battery and it still COMES ON??? Do any of your Cougars do this? please help.
Well, I've got you all beat!! I have a '99 Cougar with 171,700 on it! (Minneapolis, MN).
This car is awesome in the snow. It just takes a little finesse, as does driving anything in the snow.
Yeah, my engine light has been on for a couple of years, but it hasn't started on fire yet and it's insured!
If you treat a car well, it will serve you well. I came here 'cuz I was quoted $700 for an a/c compressor and I am finding out that is WAY inflated. I certainly won't use my dealership again.
My goodness, don't be so hard on a great car that also has tons of style!
I have a 99 v-6 Cougar that yes is very stylish, but I have to admit that I have had numerous repairs since I purchased the vehicle used in 2001. The drivers seat needed a new motor when I bought it which the dealership paid for as well as 2 new tires. I learned to purchase road hazard when buying new tires since there are so expensive and I have purchased 2 and a half full sets as of todays date. I had purchased 4 alternators 5 batteries some were still under warranty. The wheel bearings drivers side has been repaired 5 times. I ended up needing a new axle on the passengers side. My sway bars are bent and need replacing, but they were on back order until 6 months say what!! motor mounts, oil pressure sending unit, serpentine belt, cooling system repair was expensive the antifreeze would not stay in the car, anti theft kicked in at the shop causing car to just shut down while I was trying to have my air fixed since it went out along with the sunroof stopped working and the drivers side window went out then the passenger side went out as well. The brake light stays on even after the dealer soldered the wires after a bolt was left off when replacing my pads and caused damage to my car while I was driving it just jammed the wheels up and had to be towed.
Now there seems to be a problem with the fuse box shorting and my car keeps stopping on me. I know that I have failed to mention some other problems. This is not normal wear and tear and I have my car serviced as I should regarding oil changes tune ups and fuel system cleanings. My experience has been a really awful nightmare.
I bought my step daughter a 1999 Cougar and she loves it. Of course, she doesn't have to work on it or try to figure out all the problems I've run across. First thing was all the idiot lights, from the check engine to brakes to who knows what else. When you floor the car, the alternator light comes on and the last time, it stayed on and the next morning, the car wouldn't start. Here's what I did.. most lights you can turn off by holding the reset button in conjunction with another (get on the web like I did and find out... I forget exactly, but it's out there) Next, if the alternator light comes on when you floor it, don't floor it!..and another hint, if it stays on, pull over and shut the car off for 60 seconds and restart it... the light goes off. (or you'll have a dead battery in the morning) The check engine light was on because she lost the gas cap... replace the cap or tighten the one you have. Some other problems that I can't fix for under a buck is that the lights, interior and exterior, flicker all the time..?? Another is the rough idle (I'm going to check the tank) another problem is that she's wrecked the car 3 times in her first month's driving and this last wreck was a good one. I've replaced the strut, lower control arm, hub and the cracked rack-pinion..all back together and the car won't start. Someone said that some Fords/Merc's have a reset button that activated when in a wreck... if you push the button, the fuel pump starts working again. Some sort of safety precaution so it doesn't leak gas after a collision. Does anyone know where this switch is??? AND, could this be what your REAL problem is for the fine folks who've replaced 5 or 6 fuel pumps?? bet I'm right.. hey, some mechanic out there has to know where this switch is. Help me get this car started so she can hit something else!! Honestly, I'm scared to death to get this thing running again. I just pray she'll be more careful and I'm taking her CELLPHONE FROM HER!!! don't talk and drive!
Good Lord People!
If you own a car for 4-5 years, it is very possible that the tires would have to be replaced. Even if you rotate them properly and keep them properly inflated, 4-5 years... come on! Also, I notice that more than a few people here have purchased the Cougar for a son or daughter. Consider the driving habits of a young person.
I bought my 99 Cougar in 2003. Tire changing is normal, but it does seem to have a problem with the tires deflating which apparently is because as the chrome ages on the wheels, the tires don't fit properly. This wasn't a problem until my car got towed from my apartment complex while I was on vacation because the tire deflated!!
My engine light has been on and off for 2 years! Several garages told me there was nothing really wrong with the EGR circuit, O2 sensor or catalytic converter - which is what the computer was giving out OBD codes for. But now there is and both these things have a problem. This is very expensive to fix. Not sure the car is actually worth this much!
Oh - and had to replace an electric fuse in 2004 that cost $1000.
Indeed the trunk release has never worked!
Hello.
About the driver:
I bought this car when I was 19 to get me through college and law school, so that I would not be stressed with car problems through school. For the most part that has been true. Most of the problems have been the last two years.
About the car:
I have a 99 Mercury Cougar I bought brand new in the end of 99. It has been through two accidents.
Problems/Solutions:
Check Engine Light/Sensors/Catalytic Converter: I had the same check engine problems with my car. I would warn not to just leave it alone because it made me fail my smog. Luckily if you are still under 7 years or 70,000 miles, then fixing it is covered under warranty in California at least. I would suggest bringing in your owner's manual listing the warranty, because the dealer repair shop tried to charge me $1,500 for the repair and I had to bring in the manual before they believed me on the warranty.
Latch: I have that problem of it not opening. It sucks. I have no solutions.
Fuel pump: Lately my car has been jerking after a trip to L.A., and it scared the heck out of me on the grape vine. I think this is related the fuel pump. Thanks for the letter on how it will be free to replaced. I am going to look into that.
Car alarm: My alarm randomly goes off too. I think it's affecting the rest of my wiring. I am looking for a way to fix this for cheap. So if there are any other letters of acknowledging Lincoln/Mercury/Ford's fault, and willing to fix for free, let me know.
Tires: I have had to replace my tires many times too. I did not realize this was related to the car.
Radio: Doesn't always work because the buttons are warped.
Hope this information helps.
Gurdeep.
Hi, guys.
My name is jonathan my email address is ranma_02@hotmail.com.
My mercury cougar 00 has been running great ever since I bought it... i got it on 05 at 57k miles on it... its been a year already and now it has 101 miles...i ran that car the whole year traveling all over mexico and the usa.
THE ONLY PROBLEM THAT I HAVE HAD IS.. THAT THE GAS METER HAS GONE DOWN... when I bought it I used to fill to 356 miles..now with a full tank it gets to 252...so I'm gettnig less mileage per mile...BUT! MY TIRES ARE FINe! MOTOR! EVERYTHING...
THE BIG SECRET IS... I JUST TAKE CARE OF IT...
-I CHANGE THE OIL EVERY 3OOO MILES
-DO A TUNE UP EVERY 6 MONTHS
-TIRE ALIG EVERY TIME I GO OUT OF TOWN..making sure tires aren't getting wasted.
-Transmission oil for shifts- I every 6 months
-Fuel injec-every 4 months
I have only bought one pair of tires... from DUNLOP so far a year with over 50 miles in less than a year and they still have those colorful marked lines when you buy bran new tires...
So my COUGAR!...is in good condition.. i added a control module to the engine to control the speed and I change the air filter and it runs tops 175 miles per hour...
If you have any questions just ask... or email me.
In regards to the fuel cut off switch it is on the drivers side kickplate.
I have had my 99 cougar for 6 years & cannot wait to get rid of it. It was new when I got it, but these past 3 years have been awful. And by the way---mine is bad just because it's bad, not because of servicing, because my dad is a mechanic & has ALWAYS taken the best care of it. Here's the major problems I have had:
-at 100,000 miles had to have the transmission completely rebuilt (1700$). People at transmission place said they've seen A lot of cougars with the same problem
-In the summer, my floorboards get soaked from the air-conditioning not running out right, and all the water condenses in the floor
-check engine light has been on for as long as I can remember
-had to replace the battery several times
-had to have the starter replaced because it was making an awful screeching noise when I tried to crank it... this was done 2 months ago and it's STILL making the noise... and it's not the flywheel, the shop says I need another new starter!
-and now nothing in the steering wheel works (air-bag, cruise control, horn) --and it's not wiring, so the steering wheel will have to come completely off to be fixed (which will be VERY costly)
-the windshield wipers have always been awful, and washer fluid refuses to work right
So these are the big things, other little things have happened too. But my car only has 101,000 miles on it, so it shouldn't have all these problems, especially since it's been well taken care of!