1999 Mercury Cougar Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 67about this part
- Share
- 15%of 454 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 79,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 67 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1999 Mercury Cougar, 15% of the 454 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 79,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“3/21/05 vehicle taken to lincoln Mercury driveability concern by>>( my wife)>>>check engine light on, they fond intake gaskets leaking vac & bank 2 also monitor are very active need tune up and plug wires and tires... My wife gave them all technical service bulletins diagnostic trouble codes po420 & po430 paper....also,told them 99-Mercury Cougar 2.5l engine stall and have inability to start car...they kept paper, and told her she need new battery cables!!!! Call manufacturer on TSB and recall, we was told there was no recall on our vehicle I.d. …”
NHTSA complaint #10147941, filed 2006-01, 111,004 miles“I own a 1999 Mercury Cougar 2.5l duratec v6 (VIN l) currently with 55,000 miles. At 49,135 miles, I had the oil changed at its regular interval (3,000 mi) at midas service. At close to 52,000 miles, upon exiting a sweeping right-hand off-ramp, the 'oil' lamp flickered on and off for a few seconds. Several weeks later, the engine developed a light 'ticking' noise that grew into 'knocking.' the local ford dealer, independence ford, charged $60 to tell me several hundred dollars worth of tests would be required to determine the source of the noise. …”
NHTSA complaint #10014440, filed 2003-04, 52,000 miles“While driving at any speed check engine light stayed on. Vehicle stalled, and was started again. Then, the vehicle revved severely. Dealer sent the vehicle to repair shops five times for estimates, but could not find the cause of the problem. The check engine light has been on since the vehicle was purchased.”
NHTSA complaint #10081501, filed 2004-08, 67,000 miles“1999 Mercury Cougar seat back failure during rear-end collision. Cougar stalled on busy freeway ending in rear totaled car collision. The driver's seat went completely down and upon seats in the backseat. This was two defects. Injuries were neck and back pains, three bumps to the head resulting in two black eyes. My advice to all 1999 Cougar owners-get rid of the car, by way of junkyard-this is an extremely dangerous vehicle and one will not know until an accident happens.”
NHTSA complaint #10164588, filed 2006-08, 90,000 miles“While driving any speed, the vehicle would hesitate/surge forward before stalling. The consumer managed to pull over and restart the vehicle. The dealership will be notified. Please provide more information.”
NHTSA complaint #10112913, filed 2005-02, 54,000 milesEngine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 11 | 12% |
| 2001 | 11 | 13% |
| 2000 | 26 | 12% |
| 1999 | 67 | 15% |
| 1997 | 30 | 39% |
| 1996 | 21 | 34% |
| 1995 | 19 | 17% |
| 1994 | 32 | 23% |
| 1993 | 105 | 54% |
| 1992 | 18 | 20% |
| 1991 | 17 | 23% |
| 1990 | 9 | 10% |
| 1989 | 9 | 11% |
| 1988 | 6 | 11% |
| 1987 | 5 | 15% |
| 1986 | 1 | 8% |
| 1985 | 1 | 10% |
| 1984 | 4 | 24% |
Other parts of the 1999 Mercury Cougar
99 complaintsBrakes
77 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
52 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
50 complaintsFuel system
46 complaintsExterior lighting
34 complaintsBody and structure
34 complaintsAir bags
31 complaintsVehicle speed control
31 complaintsTires
27 complaintsOther or unknown
26 complaintsSuspension
22 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Mercury Cougar
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology