19th Jul 2006, 18:26

I have a 99 Cougar and I would like to know if anyone else has trouble with your Cougar not wanting to start sometimes. After you let it sit for about 30 minutes, it will start. Otherwise that is the only problem I have with my Cougar.

26th Jul 2006, 21:34

In response to the alarm going off while driving, that happened to me too. The way I figured out how to shut it off was to use the remote to lock and unlock the doors. From what I understand, locking the doors with the remote arms the alarm. If your window is down and you open the door or hit the unlock button in the car after setting the alarm, the only way is to hit unlock on the remote. The red button doesn't seem to have any effect once its beeping at you.

I have gotten decent tire wear on my 99 cougar. I have replaced tires once in 40k miles and they're still looking good.

The 4 cylinder engine does great on gas with the manual transmission, I usually get 34-38mpg highway with cruise around 68-70mph. City driving is generally mid to high 20's. Every 3k mile oil change with Pennzoil 5w or 10w-30 I put in a quart of Lucas oil additive... it really seems to help mileage and performance.

So far the check engine light hasn't come on yet, but the airbag light has come on twice in 3 1/2 years for a couple miles then goes back off, both times after heavy downpour. Running 87 gas from the time I bought it (58k miles), it hasn't missed a beat (99k miles).

Granted little things have gone wrong, but less than similar aged cars my friends and family have.

28th Jul 2006, 06:52

Wow I thought I was the only one with Cougar problems. I had a bunch of different things changed on my 1999 Cougar. With problems such as yours;

The check engine light comes on and the throttle positioning sensor is messed up. It sometimes sticks and I go faster (even when my foot is off of the gas.)

This is a dangerous one!

My hatchback latch closes all the time after I try to open it.

Trouble with fuel feed, esp. regarding stumbling, stalling, etc with a half full tank or less.

The side paneling on both sides (rock guard) is peeling and creating rust.

If any of you found solutions to any of these issues please update me with some feedback.

Thanks for your time.

30th Jul 2006, 21:38

I have a 99 Cougar and love it.. I have put 30,000 miles since I have owned it and without a hitch... And for you people who have the rear hatch hitch not working like mine... Use your key.. Don't "trash" the car because you are too lazy to use the key... to open your trunk...

4th Aug 2006, 11:40

I have a 2000 Special Edition Cougar and I LOVE it! I bought it from a dealership in 2003 with 34,000 miles (it now has 57,000) and I haven't had any problems with it so far! It's been a great car and based on my experience (although it seems as others haven't been as lucky), I would recommend it!

If you purchase one, I would make sure you get it dealer certified (passed the 75 point inspection) just to make sure there aren't any major problems with it!

8th Aug 2006, 14:58

I have a 1999 Cougar V6 with 78,000mi on it. I too have had the engine light come on several times (air sensors) my question to you all is the battery light has come on every-time I "floor" it to pass or what ever since I got it! this week it fluttered and I lost all the instruments and the car died in an intersection (that was fun). But it was the alternator so I had that replaced and the battery and it still COMES ON??? Do any of your Cougars do this? please help.

9th Aug 2006, 18:33

Well, I've got you all beat!! I have a '99 Cougar with 171,700 on it! (Minneapolis, MN).

This car is awesome in the snow. It just takes a little finesse, as does driving anything in the snow.

Yeah, my engine light has been on for a couple of years, but it hasn't started on fire yet and it's insured!

If you treat a car well, it will serve you well. I came here 'cuz I was quoted $700 for an a/c compressor and I am finding out that is WAY inflated. I certainly won't use my dealership again.

My goodness, don't be so hard on a great car that also has tons of style!

23rd Aug 2006, 17:08

Good Lord People!

If you own a car for 4-5 years, it is very possible that the tires would have to be replaced. Even if you rotate them properly and keep them properly inflated, 4-5 years... come on! Also, I notice that more than a few people here have purchased the Cougar for a son or daughter. Consider the driving habits of a young person.

24th Aug 2006, 18:04

I bought my 99 Cougar in 2003. Tire changing is normal, but it does seem to have a problem with the tires deflating which apparently is because as the chrome ages on the wheels, the tires don't fit properly. This wasn't a problem until my car got towed from my apartment complex while I was on vacation because the tire deflated!!

My engine light has been on and off for 2 years! Several garages told me there was nothing really wrong with the EGR circuit, O2 sensor or catalytic converter - which is what the computer was giving out OBD codes for. But now there is and both these things have a problem. This is very expensive to fix. Not sure the car is actually worth this much!

Oh - and had to replace an electric fuse in 2004 that cost $1000.

Indeed the trunk release has never worked!

28th Aug 2006, 13:34

Hello.

About the driver:

I bought this car when I was 19 to get me through college and law school, so that I would not be stressed with car problems through school. For the most part that has been true. Most of the problems have been the last two years.

About the car:

I have a 99 Mercury Cougar I bought brand new in the end of 99. It has been through two accidents.

Problems/Solutions:

Check Engine Light/Sensors/Catalytic Converter: I had the same check engine problems with my car. I would warn not to just leave it alone because it made me fail my smog. Luckily if you are still under 7 years or 70,000 miles, then fixing it is covered under warranty in California at least. I would suggest bringing in your owner's manual listing the warranty, because the dealer repair shop tried to charge me $1,500 for the repair and I had to bring in the manual before they believed me on the warranty.

Latch: I have that problem of it not opening. It sucks. I have no solutions.

Fuel pump: Lately my car has been jerking after a trip to L.A., and it scared the heck out of me on the grape vine. I think this is related the fuel pump. Thanks for the letter on how it will be free to replaced. I am going to look into that.

Car alarm: My alarm randomly goes off too. I think it's affecting the rest of my wiring. I am looking for a way to fix this for cheap. So if there are any other letters of acknowledging Lincoln/Mercury/Ford's fault, and willing to fix for free, let me know.

Tires: I have had to replace my tires many times too. I did not realize this was related to the car.

Radio: Doesn't always work because the buttons are warped.

Hope this information helps.

Gurdeep.