1999 Mercury Cougar Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 1%of 454 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 97,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine of the 1999 Mercury Cougar, 1% of the 454 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 97,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When driven it jerks when u take off and when it shifts, and it makes a clunk noise when I him hit a bump it is so bad my car goes the other way the rear end.”
NHTSA complaint #10460730, filed 2012-06, 130 miles“The contact owns a 1999 Mercury Cougar. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, smoke started to emit from the engine and caught on fire. The contact mentioned that the fire extinguished independently. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 97,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10594796, filed 2014-05, 97,000 miles“The contact owns a 1999 Mercury Cougar. While driving approximately 5 MPH approaching a stop, the vehicle idled and stalled without warning. In addition, the speedometer fluctuated. The failure recurred, especially when the heater was activated. The contact would have to turn the ignition key in order for the vehicle to turn back on and be able to be driven again. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10871134, filed 2016-05, 98,000 milesEngine: other model years
Other parts of the 1999 Mercury Cougar
99 complaintsBrakes
77 complaintsEngine cooling
67 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 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