1999 Mercury Cougar: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1999 Mercury Cougar: 7 recalls, 454 owner complaints and up to 25 mpg combined.
Recalls
7 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #99V194000 · 1999 · 159,565 vehicles
What's wrong: The accelerator cable May have been manufactured with a burr on or near the end of the cable sleeve interior. This burr could fray the core wire resulting in the accelerator not returning to idle when the accelerator is released.
Why it matters: This condition can result in the throttle sticking, binding, or causing high engine rpm.
The fix: Dealers will install a revised accelerator cable that has a flared conduit sleeve end and molded on end fitting.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #99V226000 · 1999 · 10,011 vehicles
What's wrong: The door latch May have been manufactured with a latch pawl that has a coating which will swell in high humidity conditions. The latch pawl May then stick in the open or unlatched position.
Why it matters: The door would not latch when closed. If the vehicle is driven in this condition, it could potentially result in the door opening while the vehicle is in motion.
The fix: Dealers will install a revised side door latch.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #00V075000 · 2000 · 436,200 vehicles
What's wrong: A pressure conscious reducing valve (pcrv) in the rear brakes May be subject to corrosion and result in malfunction, when operated in areas that use salt compounds on the roadway for de-icing or dust control.
Why it matters: If both pcrv's malfunction, vehicle handling could be adversely affected during braking as a result of the rear wheels locking, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install improved pcrv's in the rear brake system. This recall was expanded in September 2000 to include 1999 and 2000 Ford contour, Mercury mystique and cougar vehicles.
Electrical Vehicle recall #01V031000 · 2001 · 120,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 5l v6 engines. The battery cable was misrouted and its attachment to the alternator cable was under-torqued. If misrouted, the cable could contact the power steering line and the insulation could wear, resulting in an electrical short.
Why it matters: The short could potentially result in a fire, stalling, or a no-start condition.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the battery cable to the alternator for damage and, if it is damaged, will replace the cable. Additionally, the routing of the cable will be corrected, as necessary, and a routing clip will be added. Also the torque on the alternator attachment of the cable will be checked and,…
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #01V032000 · 2001 · 33,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The brake lamp switch terminals could overheat.
Why it matters: This could cause either a loss of brake lamp function or continuously illuminated brake lamps, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install a new stop lamp extension harness with bronze terminals at the brake lamp switch connector, and also inspect the brake lamp switch for signs of overheating and replace, as required. Owner notification began March 22, 2001.
Electrical Vehicle recall #01V230000 · 2001 · 342,962 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain my 1996-1998 passenger vehicles built at the kansas city, cuautitlan assembly plants or on my 1999 passenger vehcles built at the automotive alliance international assembly plants, the rough surface of the heater blower resistor's stainless steel blades can damage the copper surface of the wiring harness connector. The damage could, over time, cause increased resistance in the connector and, due to…
Why it matters: The open circuit could lead to electrical arcing that could melt the connector housing material creasing the potential for a fire.
The fix: Dealers will install a new heater blower resistor and a new wire jumper harness. Owner notification began August 29, 2001.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #04V421000 · 2004 · 88,600 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles, contamination of the filter in the fuel delivery module (fdm) can reduce, and eventually block, the flow of fuel to the engine.
Why it matters: This May cause engine hesitation, loss of power, surging, and other similar symptoms. Over time, the filter May become sufficiently blocked to cause the engine to stall, which could result in a crash.
The fix: This action is deemed a safety improvement campaign and is not being conducted under the safety act. All owners will be notified of the problem, and dealers will replace the fdm with a new design at no charge if the owner reports that the vehicle exhibits any of the identified symptoms. The free…
2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Brakes (hydraulic) Equipment recall #06E022000 · 2006 · 7,440 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain aftermarket brake hydraulic master cylinders sold as replacement brake cylinders for certain Ford, daimlerchrysler, and Jeep passenger vehicles. These brake cylinders were sold under the brand names of napa, raybestos, aimco, ac delco, carquest, bendix, and wagner. Only products that were manufactured from July 27, 2005 through January 17, 2006 (date codes 0529 through 0602) are subject to this recall. When…
Why it matters: Loss of brake fluid can lead to a decrease in brake line pressure and an increase in stopping distance, which can result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Affinia (brake parts, Inc.) will replace the subject brake hydraulic master cylinders free of charge. The recall began on March 20, 2006. Owners can contact affina group customer service at 1-800-323-0354.
Suspension Equipment recall #08E033000 · 2008 · 6,903 vehicles
What's wrong: The part numbers packaged with incorrect nuts are: k7147, k7329, k8683, and 104353. These parts were made for use on the various vehicles listed above.
Why it matters: The nuts included in the packaging for these ball joint assemblies are missing the intended prevailing torque (self-locking) feature. If the incorrect nut was to become loose, the joining members May loosen leading to a separation of the ball joint. This May result in loss of vehicle control,…
The fix: Federal mogul will notify owners and replace the parts free of charge. The recall began on May 22, 2008. Owners can contact federal mogul at 877-489-6659.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 27 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (99): the most common themes are electrical failure (48), stalls / loses power (29), warning light on (13).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (72): the most common themes are noise or vibration (22), brake failure / soft pedal (11).
- Engine & cooling (67): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (21), warning light on (19), noise or vibration (9).
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (52): the most common themes are noise or vibration (6), stalls / loses power (5).
The 1999 Mercury Cougar has 454 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 13 Cougar model years for complaints (3.5× the average Cougar year). Complaints peaked in 2000 (80 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 68,217 miles. Neighboring years: 1998 (1 complaints, 0 recalls), 2000 (211 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 31 | 25 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1999 Mercury Cougar.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 1999 Mercury Cougar have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 vehicle recalls for the 1999 Mercury Cougar, plus 2 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1999 Mercury Cougar problems?
Owners have filed 454 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (99), brakes (hydraulic) (72), engine & cooling (67).
What gas mileage does the 1999 Mercury Cougar get?
EPA ratings run up to 25 mpg combined (2.0 L, Manual 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1999 Mercury Cougar repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.