8th Jan 2004, 13:17

Mine started going haywire after 60,0000, too numerous to mention, but most of above sounds right. Ford should recall all the cougars 1999 and up. nice car when I first bought it, but I've heard nothing, but horror stories. And I'm starting a book of horror stories of my own. Time to trade it in. Won't be buying ford anymore.

1st Feb 2004, 21:29

I have a 1999 Mercury Mystic and have had the less-than-full tank syndrome and stalling when making a sharp turn. The fix - strangely enough - is to replace the fuel pump.

The dealer, in trying to diagnose the above symptoms replaced the fuel tank and more without fixing the problem. Then is desperation the dealer replaced the fuel pump and all the symptoms disappeared. However, they reappear at about 20,000 miles and the pump is replaced again. So far, I am on the 8th pump.

I am going to try an after-market pump next time. Keeping in mind that it is very hard to find a fuel pump for Mystiques manufactured after April 1999.

2nd Jun 2004, 12:56

I bought my 2000 Cougar at 22,000 miles, now at 30,000 I am having problems. The dealer said it's my coil, they'll need to reprogram the computer and clear the codes and do a fuel injector service. Maybe I should sell it once it gets running again??

2nd Sep 2004, 12:23

Same as the rest of you. I cannot even count the problems I have had with my 1999 cougar. fuel pump had to be replaced three times. trunk does not alway open. sun roof will no longer open. and now my air is blowing hot air. last, but not least my car now makes a very loud noise when I am driving and when I stop.

28th Sep 2004, 19:39

I too have a 1999 Mercury Cougar. About a week after I bought it, the starter got caught on the starter and ripped about 5 or 6 teeth off of the flywheel. So now, the starter sqeals loudly when you try to start the car. There are faulty designs all over this car. The cup holder likes to dump your drinks on you when you make turns. There are electrical problems with anything and everything in your dash. My radio sometimes works, and sometimes doesn't. When you turn on the headlights, there is a low pitched humming noise coming through the speakers, YES, THE SPEAKERS!! When I tried to have this problem fixed, they told me they would have to do a wiring diagnosis over the whole car which would take about 16 hours @ $65 and hour. Whatever!! Guys & Gals, I cannot stress enough to you all thinking about buying a Cougar, DON'T DO IT!! Ford really screwed up when they came out with the 99's and later. They put no time or effort into this car and really have changed a lot of people's minds about buying a Ford ever again. Just read the rest of these columns and you will know. DON'T BUY IT!!

11th Nov 2004, 12:02

More than agree. Lots of problems with my 1999 Cougar - including the steering wheel locking when driving through a puddle. I only had 40k miles on it because I'm mostly a city driver - and I just traded it in for $5500 this weekend. I was shocked I was able to get that much! I nicknamed the car the "ticking time-bomb". So glad it's gone.

14th Nov 2004, 19:08

I bought my '99 Cougar used. I've had nothing, but problems since I got it. In the three months of owning it I've had to replace two tires, put in a new starter, replace the flywheel, get new spark plug wires, new spark plugs, new windshield wipers, new filters, and now I think I need a new fuel pump. I can relate with the half of a tank thing too. Sometimes when I am driving the car will star jolting and then die. Last week is when the starter was replaced and two days ago I had a tune-up where they replaced the spark plugs and wires and today it is sitting outside and will not start. I would not suggest anybody to buy this car.

22nd Nov 2004, 14:00

My daughter purchased a used 1999 Cougar (what she had to have) - all the same problems from above: spark plug wires, numerously new tires, now out of alignment - maybe this is a continuous problem causing tires to be replaced, cup holder broken/not work, I am sure she knows all the rest of the problems. Did yall know the fuel pump was recalled. Maybe that's all yalls other problems. We received a recall letter. But now her check engine light has come on after the fuel pumped was fixed on the recall issue. Has anyone else had the light come on? She is a college student and if the replacement of the fuel pump caused this problem Ford next to pay. She cannot afford to continue this problem car.

8th Dec 2004, 02:33

I would like to thank the owners of the 1999-2000 Mercury Cougars. I am trying to find another vehicle and was very well interested in a 1999 Mercury Cougar, not just because of their looks, but, also for the low price and mileage. I really appreciate your opinions and these comments about this vehicle makes me rethink about buying a cougar and also better yet a ford product in general. I am very sorry about your vehicle and I hope that you can trade or sell it back to the dealership.

16th Mar 2005, 21:58

I'm amazed how many other people are reporting trouble with fuel feed, esp. regarding stumbling, stalling, etc with a half full tank or less.

The problem is the molded plastic gas tank in Cougar/Contour/Mystique is prone to warping. The bottom of the tank distorts downward, which lowers the level of the gas away from the pickup. I have a 2k Cougar and Contour and it happened to both; the Cougar at 25k (fixed under warranty) and now the Contour at 53k. The Ford dealer told me some nonsense about "debris" in the tank and wanted to replace the pump and "clean out" the tank. By now I had already been through the identical symptoms with the Cougar so I went to the L-M dealer who at least was aware of the condition. As soon as they put the car up on the lift they immediately saw the "visible distortion". I called the Ford 800# and yelled & screamed - the rep said they "have no knowledge of such a problem" - but the job was done for 30% of the total cost ($968).

Interesting: when the Contour was diagnosed the work order stated: "SOP: replace tank and fuel pump". Who creates Standard Operating Procedures for problems that "almost never happen"? There's a massive cover-up going on here.