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2000 Mercury Cougar Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 211 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Mercury Cougar, most often about the electrical (30% of complaints, typically around 65,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Cougar model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2000 Mercury Cougar problems
Electrical
63 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: alternator/generator/regulator, 12v/24v/48v battery, ignition, wiring.
Went out to go to work one morning and car would not start, all systems completely dead, jumped car off next day and barely made it to garage, replaced battery 11/04, problems ever since with battery light constantly flashing as well as all interior and exterior lights flashing bright to dim day or night, was told…
Tl contact owns a 2000 Mercury Cougar. The contact stated that there was a recall on the alternator battery cable. When the battery shorts out, it catches fire and also shorts out the alternator. While driving 35 MPH, the cable caught fire, but it extinguished on its own. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they…
Fuel system
46 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 72,500 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage.
The dealership didn't follow the proper procedure/specification when performing the fuel delivery module recall 04n02, because of this the rusted fuel tank straps went un noticed. The consumer noticed the straps dragging while driving which could of resulted in a fire.
Having so many problems with the fuel systems. I have put fuelput a new fuel pump in gas tank 2 yes. Ago. Put fuel pressure sensor this year. Put new fuel regulator this year now when driving it will just stop. And wouldn't startup
Engine
26 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 59,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
While driving at 45 MPH vehicle stalled. This caused the loss of steering and brakes. As result, consumer was involved a collision, where the vehicle was totaled. Dealer notified.
While driving 55 MPH driver heard a loud knocking noise coming from the front. Driver noticed fluid leaking from underneath the vehicle. Driver took vehicle to a garage for inspection, and mechanic determined that intake manifold needed to be replaced.
Visibility and wipers
18 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: sun/moon roof assembly, power window devices and controls, windshield wiper/washer.
My year 2000 Mercury Cougar just reached 70,000 miles last week. I went to open my sunroof yesterday and heard a loud cracking noise after pressing the button. The rear end of the sunroof was ajar and the sunroof motor was still in working condition but I could not get the roof to close all of the way. I took it to a…
Sunroof is stuck open. Went to close it and only one side goes down. Needs a whole new sunroof. Water leaks in when it rains. Damaging the interior of the car.
Air bags
17 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
Air bags deploy out of no where. Caused car to loose control... The car has been fixed but airbag lights flash 6 times with a 2 second delay, and the the dealer cant fix it.
: the contact stated that the vehicle's airbags did not deploy after hitting an embankment and flipping over on its top. The vehicle was traveling 55 MPH when the vehicle was swerved to avoid hitting a deer, which caused the contact to lose control of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. One person was injured…
Speed control
16 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: cruise control, cables, accelerator pedal.
When traveling to visit my sister at college I was driving appox. 85mph but after stopping to stretch my legs at a rest stop I continued to try to reach my previous speed and when I tried to go over 80mph the car started to buck. I took it back to the dealership and I was told that the rpms could not go over a certain…
I was heading home from the beach. I had my car on cruise control. A car was stopping ahead to turn into a housing development. I tried to push the brake to disengage the cruise control,but the cruise control did not disengage. I again hit the brake, harder this time, but the cruise control again did not disengage.…
Other or unspecified
12 complaints · 6%Sunroof is stuck open. Went to close it and only one side goes down. Needs a whole new sunroof. Water leaks in when it rains. Damaging the interior of the car.
Brakes
12 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, power assist, antilock.
Vehicle lost power while driving down highway. Replaced the battery and took to shop to have alternator and whatever else looked at. Mechanic could not find anything wrong. Battery light still flashing. I'm scared this will happen again and leave me stranded. Also have had same electrical problems (power windows) as…
The drivers rear metal brake line failed catastrophically on the highway in a panic stop. This resulted in complete brake failure of both front and rear brakes.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2000 Mercury Cougar recalls
Fuel system: fuel system, gasoline
Risk: 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.
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 replacement will be available for a period of 10 years following the original purchase of the vehicle, with no mileage limit. The campaign began on april 16, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: cables
Risk: The short could potentially result in a fire, stalling, or a no-start condition.
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, as required, will be tightened to specification. Owner notification began march 22, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with 2.5l 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.
Brakes: foundation components
Risk: 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.
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.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles not equipped with the anti-lock braking system (ABS). 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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2000 Mercury Cougar
- What are the most common problems with the 2000 Mercury Cougar?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (63 complaints, typically around 65,000 miles); fuel system (46 complaints, typically around 72,500 miles); engine (26 complaints, typically around 59,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2000 Mercury Cougar have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 30, 2004 (fuel system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2000 a bad year for the Mercury Cougar?
- It is the most complained-about Cougar model year since 2000, with 211 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.