1999 MERCURY COUGAR Power Train Problems

TRANSMISSION HAVING PROBLEMS GOING INTO GEAR CONSTANTLY SLIPPING AND CATCHING GEARS WHEN TRYING TO DRIVE ONLY GETS UP TO 30 MPH

Mileage: 150,000

WHEN DRIVEN IT JERKS WHEN U TAKE OFF AND WHEN IT SHIFTS, AND IT MAKES A CLUNK NOISE WHEN I HIM HIT A BUMP IT IS SO BAD MY CAR GOES THE OTHER WAY THE REAR END. *TR

Mileage: 130

1999 MERCURY COUGAR. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION SHIFTING INTO FIRST AND SECOND GEAR, BUT WILL SHIFT CORRECTLY IF IT IS DONE MANUALLY. *TGW

LOUD GRINDING NOISE FROM THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION OCCURS WHEN CAR IS DOWN SHIFTED TO FIRST GEAR COMING TO A STOP, OR SHIFTED TO FIRST NOT BEING AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE SHIFT LEVER "POPS OUT OF GEAR" AND ADMITTING A VERY LOUD GRINDING NOISE. PREVENTING THIS WOULD BE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP FROM NEUTRAL, THEN AFTER STOPPING COMPLETELY PROCEED TO ENGAGE CLUTCH AND PUT CAR INTO FIRST GEAR. FIRST GEAR SOMETIMES HARD TO SHIFT INTO, MIGHT BE A SHIFT LINKAGE PROBLEM. SOUNDS LIKE THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION GRINDING WITH A LOUD WINDING SQUEAL. *TR

Mileage: 128,300

BOUGHT CAR AT DEALER ON 02/05/01 SINCE THEN I'VE HAD TO REPAIR CAR ON TOO MANY OCCASIONS. HERE SOME OF THE REPAIRS I'VE HAD TO DO ON THIS CAR EVER SINCE I BOUGHT IT. ON 3/01: BRAKES, 10/01: DEALERSHIP REPLACED BATTERY AND PERFORMED A RECALL,12/01: DEALERSHIP REPLACED ALTERNATOR, 05/02: BRAKE PADS, 04/04: WATER PUMP BELT, 09/04: REPLACED BATTER, 10/11/04: REPLACED ALTERNATOR AND BELT, 10/14/04: REPLACED POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL, 12/04: REPLACED RADIO, 02/06: REPLACED MOTOR MOUNT, 01/07:REPLACED BATTERY, 02/07: REPLACED STRUT, 02/08: REPLACED SHOCK ABSORBER, 10/08: REPLACED BATTERY, 04/09: REPLACED BEARING, TRANSMISSION & ANCHOR ENGINE MOUNT AND DON'T HAVE THE DATE BUT ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. THESE REPAIRS ARE WHAT I HAVE IN RECEIPTS YET FOR EXAMPLE I HAVE REPLACED THE MOTOR MOUNTS MORE THAN ONCE. CURRENTLY THE FOLLOWING AREAS OF MY VEHICLE DO NOT FUNCTION: THE HORN NO LONGER WORKS, CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT FUNCTIONING, THE AIR CONDITIONER NO LONGER HEATS, & THE BRAKE LIGHT OF MY VEHICLE REMAINED LIT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ON AND NOW HAVE FAILED TO TURN OUT (LAMP SOCKET IS BURNT). *TR

I HAVE A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR, AND HAVE HAD IT ABOUT 4 YEARS NOW. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR, EXCEPT HAVING TO HAVE THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED. I WORK 3RD SHIFT (7P-7A) AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL, AND ON MY WAY HOME, MY CAR STARTED SLIPPING IN AND OUT OF GEAR. THE CAR WOULD GO FOR A MINUTE, THEN IT WOULD STOP, AND I WOULD PUSH THE GAS AND THE CAR WOULD JUST REV UP. I HAD A LINE OF TRAFFIC BEHIND ME, SO I AS TRYING MY BEST TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. I FINALLY GOT IT INTO AN EMPTY PARKING LOT AND CALLED TO GET SOME HELP. I WAS VERY TIRED FROM WORKING A 12 HOUR SHIFT AND HAD TO WAIT 2 HOURS FOR SOMEONE TO COME AND GET ME. WE GOT THE CAR TO A MECHANIC, WHICH SAID THAT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION, AND HE THEN TOLD ME THAT HE WOULD DRAIN THE TRANSMISSION, PUT NEW FLUID IN IT, AND SEE IF THAT FIXED THE PROBLEM. TO MY VERY UNFORTUNATE NEWS, THE TRANSMISSION HAS WENT OUT IN MY CAR. I AM A FULL-TIME STUDENT AND FULL-TIME WORKING TRYING TO MAKE ENDS MEET. DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION GOING OUT IN MY CAR, I HAVE MISSED CLASSES, AND IT'S BECOMING A HEADACHE TRYING TO GET TO AND FROM WORK, SCHOOL, AND OTHER PLACES I NEED TO BE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE 1999 COUGARS HAD A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT I NEEDED TO FIND OUT ABOUT IT. THIS IS WHAT I AM DOING NOW. I CAN'T AFFORD A NEW TRANSMISSION, LET ALONE A NEW CAR, WHILE I'M TRYING TO GO TO SCHOOL. THIS WHOLE ORDEAL HAS THROWN ME OFF, BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN (IN ONE DAY) THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. I HOPE THIS PROBLEM IS RESOLVED, AND I GET SOME HELP WITH FIXING MY CAR. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME, AND I HOPE THAT MY PROBLEM IS LOOKED INTO. THANKS, GINA BROOK MELTON *TR

Mileage: 120,000

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR AUTOMATIC V6. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT CONTINUE TO HAVE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. LIKE OTHER 1999 ' 2000 MERCURY COUGAR OWNERS I WORRY ABOUT THE SAFETY OF DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH MORE PROBLEMS THAN CAN COST EFFECTIVELY BE FIXED. MY LIST OF BROKEN ITEMS INCLUDE THE RADIO, POWER WINDOW REGULATOR, O2 SENSORS, TRANSMISSION AT 59,000 MILES, DASHBOARD LIGHTS (LOW COOLANT AND CHECK ENGINE), DOOR/WINDOW LEAKY SEAL ISSUES, ENGINE MISFIRE (DECREASED ACCELERATION) AND NOW MY CRUISE CONTROL AND TURN SIGNALS DO NOT WORK. UPON RESEARCHING THE RECALL FOR CRUISE CONTROL FIRES DEALING WITH FORD PRODUCTS I FOUND THAT I AM AMONG OTHER DISGRUNTLED COUGAR OWNERS. FORD/MERCURY OR FORD TECHNICIANS HAVE NOT DONE A SATISFACTORY JOB LETTING OWNERS KNOW OF RECALLS THAT NEED ATTENTION. MY LATEST CONCERN IS THAT MY COUGAR MIGHT START ON FIRE, PER MY COMPLAINT WITH FORD; THEY SEE NO THREAT WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL ISSUES AND SUGGESTED I CONTACT THE NHTSA WITH MY COMPLAINT. *TR

BRAKES CONTINUE TO GRIND EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT. TRANSMISSION SURGES AND HESITATES UPON ACCELERATION CAUSING UNEXPECTED INCREASES IN SPEED. TRANSMISSION ALSO SLIPS IN AND OUT OF GEARS RANDOMLY. ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 73,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE AT ALL, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO NEARLY GET REAR-ENDED WHILE BRAKING FROM TRAVELING 70 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED REPLACEMENT DUE TO A SHORT CIRCUIT. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL #01V032000 PERTAINING TO THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. SECONDLY, THE ENGINE HESITATED WHILE WARMING UP, ACCOMPANIED BY A ROUGH IDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A MECHANIC.

Mileage: 85,000

FIRST TRANSMISSION FAILED ON THE HIGHWAY AT 32,000 MILES AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY SECOND TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 82,000. *JB

Mileage: 82,000

THE CAR WAS DRIVING FINE. I GOT IN IT, STARTED IT, AND PUT IT IN REVERSE, AND IT DIDN'T GO. I PUT IT BACK IN PARK, THEN IN DRIVE, AND I COULDN'T GO FORWARD BECAUSE OF THE CURB. SO I PUT IT IN REVERSE AGAIN, EVENTUALLY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL BACK OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT, BUT IT WENT BACK HARD, AND I COULD HAVE HIT ANOTHER CAR IF ONE WAS IN THE SPACE BEHIND ME, AND WHEN I DID, IT WAS VERY STUTTERED MOVEMENT. WHEN I P WENT FORWARD (DRIVE), IT HAD A RUBBING SOUND, LIKE SOMETHING WAS RUBBING ON SOMETHING. WE HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING TO THIS CAR BECAUSE WE HAVE NO MONEY TO EVEN TOW IT. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR 5 MONTHS AGO. IT HAS RUN VERY WELL UNTIL THIS DAY. *NM

Mileage: 86,000

I OWN A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. I HAVE MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE PER THE SERVICE MANUAL THROUGH THE LOCAL MERCURY DEALERSHIP. SOMETIME DURING EARLY APRIL 2005, I NOTICED THAT THE CAR HESITATED AND JERKED VIOLENTLY AFTER ABOUT FIFTEEN MINUTES OF NORMAL DRIVING. WE WERE ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. THE DEALER "DIAGNOSED" THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED A PART. THE CAR CONTINUED TO MALFUNCTION THE VERY NEXT DAY. I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH TRANSMISSION. I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED BY A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. I AM NOT SURE WHETHER THE OLD TRANSMISSION IS AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 76,500

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH TRANSMISSION GEAR BLOCK BLEWOUT. THIS CAUSED HEAVY VIBRATION IN THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK

Mileage: 75,000

I OWN A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR WHICH CURRENTLY HAS 5700 MILES. THE FLYWHEEL HAS FAILED ,RESULTING IN COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE STARTER AND FLYWHEEL. THE PROBLEM BEGAN MORE THAN A YEAR AGO BUT WAS SO INTERMITTENT THAT MY MECHANIC COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM IN ORDER TO DIAGNOSE. AT THIS TIME THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED. DAMAGED PARTS WILL BE RETAINED FOR FUTURE INSPECTION IF NEEDED. I CONDUCTED A WEBSEARCH AND FOUND A WEBSITE WHICH CONTAINED MANY OTHER OWNERS OF 99 COUGARS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, EVEN AT THE SAME APPROX. MILEAGE. THE WEBSITE IS LOCATED AT: ://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWCOMMENTS_REVIEW_5988.HTML. *AK

Mileage: 42,000

THE TRANSMISSION AXLE LIGHT IS ON AND THE DASHBOARD SAYS ODOMETR OFF THEN THE TRANSMISSION AXLE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR SHIFTS HARD. THIS HAPPENED AT 49,000 MILES THE DEALER SAID I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I REPLACED TRANSMISSION, AND NOW AT 75,000 MILES THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING. THIS SEEMS TO BE LIKE THERE IS SOME DEFECTIVE PROBLEM GOING ON. I WAS VERY UPSET THAT THE WARRANTY DIDN'T COVER THIS AS IT HAPPENED OVER 36,000 MILES BUT I REFUSE TO HAVE TO AGAIN PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR ANOTHER TRANSMISSION.*AK

Mileage: 39,000

THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF GEAR WHEN THE BRAKE WERE BEING APPLIED. ALSO, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. *AK THE SWITCH HAD BECOME HOT AND MELTED PLASTIC FROM THE HOUSING AROUND METAL CONNECTOR PRONE. *SC

Mileage: 78,000

PURCHASED CAR NEW, IN 57000 MILES WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE, 2 ALTERNATORS, 1 STARTER, 2 BATTERIES, ENTIRE RACK AND PINION, POWER STEERING PUMP, TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER, 4 SET OF BRAKES, 4 SETS OF TIRES PLUS TWO INDIVIDUAL TIRES ALL WITH SIDEWALL BLOW OUTS EXCEPT ONE PUNCTURE AND 2 HEADLIGHT SWITCHES, 2 CIG LIGHTERS. THE ENTIRE UPPER ENGINE GASKET SET HAD TO BE REPLACED TO GET TO AN INTAKE LEAK. THE HEAD LIGHTS AND FOGLIGHTS WORK ITERMITTANTLY, ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY GOING ON AND OFF. CURRENTLY ONE HEADLIGHT IS OUT (LAMP IS GOOD) FOG LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING (TODAY) AND AN ENGINE WARNING LIGHT IS INDICATING A PROBLEM AGAIN. *AK

Mileage: 8,520

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE MADE A NOISE. THE CONSUMER IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. WHEN HE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. *JB

THE BATTERY SEEMED LOW ON THE CAR, INDICATED BY INTERIOR LIGHTS NOT BEING VERY ILLUMINATED, BUT THEN DASHBOARD LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING AND WINDOWS ROLLED UP VERY SLOWLY. I CHARGED THE BATTERY FOR MANY HOURS AND IT TOOK A CHARGE, SO I COULD GET TO THE MERCURY DEALER. IT DIED WHEN I GOT THERE AND THEY WERE CLOSED, SO I HAD TO JUMP IT AND MOVE TO A SAFE LOCATION TO LEAVE OVERNIGHT. THIS HAD HAPPENED TWICE BEFORE IN THE PAST 2 1/2 YEARS, SO I NEW IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR AGAIN! THAT'S THREE ALTERNATORS IN 2 1/2 YEARS. THIS TIME I AM OUT OF WARRANTY AND AM EXPECTED TO PAY $550 FOR A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT CLEARLY WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. THE DEALER CAN NOT TELL ME WHY THIS IS OCCURING, AND FORD "CUSTOMER SERVICE" COULD CARE LESS. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS THAT MANY COUGAR OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM CONTINUALLY. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED, AS WELL AS THE MOTOR FOR THE SUNROOF.*AK

Mileage: 93,000

WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING, MY 1999 MERCURY COUGAR WILL SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL, TO REVERSE, WITHOUT EVER RELEASING THE LOCK. ALL IT TAKES IS SLIGHT PRESSURE ON THE GEAR SHIFT TO CHANGE GEARS UNINTENTIONALLY. THE DEALER I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR FROM 2 WEEKS AGO, AND FORD TELL ME THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR THE GEARS TO MOVE FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL WITH NO EFFORT. THE DEALER SAID NO HARM IS DONE. YOU ARE JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 60 MILES AN HOUR WHEN YOU BUMP THE GEAR SHIFT, AND LOSE ALL ACCELERATION UNTIL YOU MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT BACK TO DRIVE. I CAN SEE A REAL SAFETY ISSUE THERE. AND, CONSIDERING THAT THIS IS MY 16 YEAR OLD'S CAR, I SEE A REAL SAFETY ISSUE. IT ALSO WOULD SHIFT FROM 2ND ALL THE WAY TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT RELEASING THE LOCK. *AK

Mileage: 48,800

MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. *MR THE VEHICLE DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC ON THREE OCCASIONS. THERE WERE ALTERNATOR AND FUEL PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A CREDITED AMOUNT OF FUNDS AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE BATTERY, BRAKES AND ADDITIONAL EXPENSES. OTHER PROBLEM ARE AS FOLLOWED: THE NEW WHEELS WERE DEFECTIVE (CORRODED AND FROZEN), THE BRAKE SENSOR SNAPPED OFF OF THE WHEEL, THE CD PLAYER WAS SKIPPING, THE HATCH WOULD NOT RELEASE PROPERLY, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE, THE KEYLESS ENTRY WITH ANTI-THEFT WAS INOPERATIVE, THERE WAS ROUGH IDLE, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD STICK, THE CUP HOLDER DID NOT SHUT, THE HOOD WOULD NOT OPEN, AND THE LIGHTS WOULD DIM AND OR BRIGHTEN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. *SC *JB

21,210 MILES-BRAKE ROTOR AND PAD FAILURE,SUNROOF INOPERABLE,PASSENGER WINDOW INOPERABLE-WARRANTY 47,823 MILES-COMPLETE CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURE-WARRANTY TRUNK HAS NEVER OPENED CORRECTLY FROM INSIDE-NO SOLUTION 87,000 MILES- STARTER MOTOR FAILED-$250 91,519 MILES-2 RADIATOR HOSES FAILED-$240 93,000 MILES-MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILED, DIFFERENTIAL GEARS -$2440 NOW I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY FUEL PUMP. THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF THIS CAR THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS PROBLEMS CARS DON'T RECEIVE UNTIL AFTER 100,000 MILES. IN MY EYES, IT IS SIMPLY A 100,000 MILE LEMON! *NM

REPEATED ISSUES ON VARIOUS DATES. PROBLEM 1: THE VEHICLE ALARM WILL RANDOMLY ACTIVATE ITSELF. IT WILL GO THROUGH IT'S 5 MINUTE ALARM PROCESS AND THEN SHUTS ITSELF DOWN. THEN ANYWHERE FROM 3 TO 10 MINUTES LATTER IT WILL SET ITSELF OFF AGAIN. IT DOES NOT MATTER THE LOCATION OF THE VEHICLE SO THAT COULD RULE OUT INTERFERENCE. PROBLEM 2: BATTERY LAMP ILLUMINATES IN THE HIGHER RPM RANGE AND BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR HAVE BEEN CHECKED TO BE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. PROBLEM 3: THERE IS A LOUD POPPING SOUND FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEN THE CAR SHIFTS TO 2ND GEAR AT FULL THROTTLE. *JB

MY CAR IS A LEMON. HAVE HAD A NEW ENGINE PUT IN IT 2 TIMES BECAUSE THE RODS SPUN. I HAVE HAD THE BRAKE LIGHTS "FIXED" 3 TIMES, THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED 3 TIMES, NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTERS TWICE. NEW POWER STEERING. TRANSMISSION DONE 3 TIMES. THERES DEFINANTLY MORE I JUST CANT THINK OF ALLLLLLL MY REPAIRS ON THIS 1999 COUGAR. I BOUGHT IT USED AND IT HAS NOW 98000 MILES CAUSE I DRIVE OUT OF STATE. *AK

Mileage: 98,000

MY CAR IS A LEMON. HAVE HAD A NEW ENGINE PUT IN IT 2 TIMES BECAUSE THE RODS SPUN. I HAVE HAD THE BRAKE LIGHTS "FIXED" 3 TIMES, THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED 3 TIMES, NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTERS TWICE. NEW POWER STEERING. TRANSMISSION DONE 3 TIMES. THERES DEFINANTLY MORE I JUST CANT THINK OF ALLLLLLL MY REPAIRS ON THIS 1999 COUGAR. I BOUGHT IT USED AND IT HAS NOW 98000 MILES CAUSE I DRIVE OUT OF STATE. *AK

Mileage: 98,000

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY IN FORWARD. REVERSE STILL WORKS. SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS NOTING A DEFECT IN THE TRANNY HAVE BEEN POSTED. CAR HAD 60K ON IT AND HAD REGULAR TRANSMISSION SERVICES. *AK

Mileage: 60,000

VEHICLE WILL ONLY GO INTO REVERES GEAR. DEALER INDICATED THIS WAS CAUSED BY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ELECTRICAL FAILURE.*AK

Mileage: 92,373

THE VEHICLE DID NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY, IT HESITATED AND SURGED WHEN ACCELERATED TO PASS OTHER VEHICLE'S, AND THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS INDICATING A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. SCC *JB

Mileage: 32,000

THE CONSUMER BEGUN TO DRIVE, WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN 3RD GEAR, IT DID NOT. SHE HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT SHE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED WITH LESS THAN 60K MILES. TS THE LOWELL DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A MAZDA TRANSMISSION, AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT WITH A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER. SCC

Mileage: 59,000

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY '99 COUGAR SUCH AS, FAILURE OF MY PAT SYSTEM AND COMPUTER SYSTEM. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKES WHICH THEY CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD MY STARTER REPLACED TWICE. I HAVE HAD DEFECTS IN SEVERAL SENSORS, WHICH IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY THAT I HAD TO PAY A GOOD AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR THEM TO REPAIR. MY FAN HAS EVEN BLOWN OUT. THERE IS A BURNING SMELL WHENEVER I TURN ON MY HEATER THAT NONE OF THE DEALERS CAN'T SEEM TO SMELL. I ALSO HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW RADIATOR. WHEN MY COMPUTER WENT OUT MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT THEY MADE ME PAY FOR THE REPAIRS, PARTS, AND LABOR OUT OF MY POCKET. THIS IS NOT ALL. THE LIST GOES ON AND ON. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP, FORD MOTOR CO. AND EVEN HAD SOMEONE FROM FORD TO INVESTIGATE ALL OF THE PROBLEMS I'VE HAD WITH MY VEHICLE. THEY HAVE BEEN RUDE TO ME ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT THE REPAIRS OF MY VEHICLE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THE PURCHASE OF A MERCURY COUGAR TO ANYONE.

CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE JUMPED IN AND OUT OF GEAR ON ITS OWN, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. TS *JB

Mileage: 42,000

TRANSMISSON HAS FAILED. I'VE TAKEN MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER A MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE TO ADVISED THEM OF THE JURKING PROBLEM WITH THE CAR ALSO ADVISED THEM THAT THE COOLANT LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF. DEALER HAS CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. AS OF NOW I AM NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. WAS ADVISED BY SALES REP THAT SOLD ME THE VEHICLE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WOULD BE WORKED INTO MY PAYMENTS HOWEVER THIS IS NOT STATED IN THE CONTRACT. NOT TO MENTION THE BRAKES GRIND WHEN BACKING UP IN THE VEHICLE THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE 3 MONTHS AGO AND THE BRAKE LIGHT IS FLASHING AGAIN. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO PAY $2700.00 TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION.*AK

THE SPEEDOMETER JUMPS AND AT TIMES DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 5 OR 6 TIMES IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS BEEN REPLACED EACH TIME. THE INTRUMENT CLUSTER INSTALLED LAST MONTH WAS BAD WHILE DRIVING IT HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP. IT WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT ITS NEXT OIL CHANGE. THE VEHICLE IS ALMOST OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE DEALER ADVISED ME THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INCIDENTS AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES EVEN WITH ITS HISTORY, AND I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM WITH OTHER COUGARS.*AK

BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING. ALSO, IT IS HARD TO GET VEHICLE IN AND OUT OF GEAR.*AK

THERE ARE NO BRAKE LIGHTS ,AND ITS HARD TO GET VEHICLE IN AND OUT OF GEAR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFOMATION.*AK

INTERMITTENT ENGINE RACING TO 3000-3500 RPM, WHEN CLUTCH IS ENGAGED, WHICH LASTS FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS AND INTERMITTENT OVERDECELERATION (AS IF THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED) THAT RELEASES WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS TAPPED. *AK

INTERMITTENT ENGINE RACING TO 3000-3500 RPM, WHEN CLUTCH IS ENGAGED, WHICH LASTS FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS AND INTERMITTENT OVERDECELERATION (AS IF THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED) THAT RELEASES WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS TAPPED. *AK

ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF SUDDENLY ANDWITHOUT WARNING AS THOUGH SOMEONE SHUT KEY OFF, AND THEN EVERYTHING LOCKS UP/ LOSS OF POWER OCCURS, AND CANNOT EVEN SHIFT OUT OF GEAR. DEALER HAS REPLACED STARTER, BUT IT DID NOT FIX DEFECT.*AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERE LEAKAGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID THROUGH VENT AND UP THROUGH DIPSTICK, EJECTING ENOUGH FLUID WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO RENDER VEHICLE INOPERABLE WITHIN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES. THIS MAJOR LEAK OCCURRED UPON PARKING OF VEHICLE, BUT MAY ALSO HAVE BEEN TAKING PLACE WHILE DRIVING. A FORD-ISSUED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN REPORTEDLY RECOGNIZES THE VENT DESIGN AND SIDE COVER DESIGN ON THIS MODEL AS DEFICIENT/FLAWED AND IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT WITH NEWLY DESIGNED PARTS (RELATED SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBERS MAY BE: 99249, 12119, 985136 - I HAVE NOT SEEN THE ACTUAL TSB). SAFETY CONCERNS ARE OBVIOUS; SLIPPING/FALSE SHIFTING OF TRANSAXLE WHILE DRIVING, SLIPPING OR FAILING TO FULLY ENGAGE WHEN DEPARTING A PARKED POSITION, DANGER FROM LEAKED FLUID ITSELF, ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION, ETC. FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSED TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT AT ITS OWN EXPENSE. MINE IS A HIGHER-THAN-NORMAL MILEAGE VEHICLE FOR THIS YEAR, AND MAY BE ONLY THE FIRST OF MANY THAT WILL EXPERIENCE THESE DANGERS AS THEY REACH THIS LEVEL. OUT-OF-POCKET REPAIRS FOR THIS DEFECT ARE APPROXIMATELY $350-500 FOR THE CONSUMER; LESS THAN $25 IN PARTS AND 4-5 HOURS LABOR FOR THE MANUFACTURER. PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. *AK

THE CV BOOTS WERE CRACKED AND WERE LEAKING. NLM

VEHICLE TOWED TWICE, VEHICLE FAILED TO BE MOVED OUT OF PARK. *CJ

1. PART WITHIN TRANSMISSION WAS MISSING 2. FAULTY AIRBAG SENSOR IS BLINKING INDICATING A DEFECT 3.WIRING HARNESS MELTED, POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD.PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

CAR LEASED IN 1999. SINCE THEN THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS, THE RADIO SHORTING OUT, 2 SAME SIDE/TIRE BLOW OUTS, TROUBLE LIGHTS AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, BRAKE NOISE AND ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. IN EACH AND EVERY CASE THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN "WE CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM" HENCE, NO FIXES. WARRENTY EXPIRED NOW THE ALTERNATER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED? COMMENT FROM SERVICE DEPARTMENT "IT MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE". ???

WHEN I ORIGINALLY REPORTED THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING THEY SAID IT WAS FINE, DRIVING AT 80MPH AND HAVING YOUR CAR DROP TO 20MPH THEN 45MPH THEN 60MPH BACK TO 20MPH ON THE FREEWAY IS QUITE NERVE RACKING, IF THIS WAS DURING COMMUTE TRAFFIC I WOULD OF BEEN KILLED.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN AN INTERSTATE ROAD ON THE MORNING OF JULY 3RD 2000. A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF RAIN HAD FALLEN ON THE ROAD AND IT WAS STILL RAINING SLIGHTLY THE SECTION OF THE ROAD THAT I WAS ON WAS COMPLETELY STRAIGHT. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE DOING ABOUT 55MPH ON THE 65MPH ROAD WHEN I FELT THE CAR LURCH AND BEGIN TO TURN TOWARD THE LEFT. I LOOKED DOWN AT MY INSTRUMENT PANEL AND NOTICED THAT MY TACHOMETER WAS ON ZERO AND MY WARNING LIGHTS WERE ALL ON. THE CAR STARTED TO SPIN COUNTERCLOCKWISE VERY QUICKLY AND CROSSED OVER THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC WHERE IT FINALLY CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. I WAS FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN THE CAR FINALLY SETTLED. *AK

THERE IS A HUMMING NOISE IN THE TRANSMISSION THAT WON'T GO AWAY. ALSO, THERE IS A CLANKING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 70 VEHICLE WILL DOWNSHIFT ON ITS OWN. IF A VEHICLE WAS BEHIND IT MAY HAVE BEEN RUNNED OVER. *AK

TRANSMISSION SURGES AND HESITATES UPON ACCELLERATION CAUSING UNEXPECTED INCREASES IN SPEED; REAR HATCH WILL NOT OPEN; BRAKES STILL GRIND AFTER REPLACEMENT; AFTER DOOR LATCHES REPLACED, CAR NOW MAKES WHINING NOICE; STARTER REPLACEMENT MAKES HIGH PITCHED NOISE; COOLANT LIGHT COMES ON--DEALER'S SOLUTION IS TO OVERFILL COOLANT LEVEL.

TRANSMISSION SLIPS ON OCCASION. MJS

TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING. NLM

I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN TWICE (2 TIMES FOR BRAKE & TRANSMISSION SERVICE) NONE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE, HAD HAVE BEEN CORRECTED. MY BRAKES STILL SCRUB & MY TRANSMISSION STILL BUCKS, AFTER THESE RETURNS FOR SERVICE. I AM VERY UNHAPPY ABOUT THE WAY MY CAR IS RUNNING. ESPECIALLY THE BRAKES WHICH ARE MAKING ME WORRY. I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN ON 9/17/1998 AND 12/2/98 FOR THESE PROBLEMS, AMONG OTHER PROBLEMS, AND THE BRAKES AND TRANZMISSION PROBLEMS STILL EXIST. I AM NOT VERY HAPPY WITH MY 1999 MERCURY COUGAR AND I WILL NOT BUY ONE AGAIN, UNLESS I KNOW THAT FORD HAS PUT THEIR BEST IN THIS CAR. SINCERELY, ADRIA L. PERSON