2000 Mercury Cougar 2.5 from North America
Summary:
It would take me all day to write my opinion
Faults:
Let's see.
The transmission went 2 months after I bought it.
Motor mounts are shot.
Trunk and hood release don't work properly.
Two fuel pumps.
Tie rods 3 times.
Power window tracks broke; only riveted on.
What else? Oh yeah, LOL, the best for last. Not only 1 or 2 or 3, but I'm on my 14th alternator. Starting to be a pro at changing them. The first time, it took me all day. Get them done in about an hour. As I write this message, my car sits in my driveway waiting for me to put on its 15th alternator, so anyone wanna buy a good reliable car, gimme a call, I'll give ya a good deal LOL.
Well good luck to ya's.
General Comments:
If you have any of these problems, get rid of it now; they don't go away.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 25th November, 2006
13th May 2007, 03:07
I feel your pain. I just put in my tenth alternator. Nobody can tell me the cause. The dealership put in the first eight. I called Mercury and and ask about a recall dealing with the alternators, and they said they have not hear on any problems. Everybody I know that owns a Cougar has already replaced one alternator.
6th Apr 2014, 21:22
A popular and highly plausible theory on the persistent alternator problems revolves around the fact that the alternator is mounted really low on the engine, exposing it to lots of road dust and water splashing up from the tires. I traded in my 4 cylinder 2.0 Cougar at 168,000 miles and never had to replace the alternator. On that engine, the alternator is positioned much higher.
25th Jan 2007, 14:35
I agree. As we speak my 99 Cougar is in the dealership having its hood release fixed. First they charged $40 for the diagnostic fee even though I told them the hood release was snapped. Then somehow I am paying $245 for the cable and the piece of plastic that make up the hood release. I am about to pick up my car since they lost the part in transit somewhere.