NHTSA — Electrical System: Ignition Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1999 Mercury Cougar electrical problems

electrical problem

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1999 Mercury Cougar Owner Comments

problem #12

Jan 102003

(reported on)

Cougar 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When turning key in ignition there is a grinding noise, sometimes vehicle won't start. Took vehicle to dealer, and dealer replaced bb valves, and cleaned engine. This did not correct the problem. Also, loose outer tie rods..

- Middleburg Heights, OH, USA

problem #11

May 292002

Cougar

  • miles
Linkage system between ignition switch and ignition cylinder broke. Dealer service department does not know why and has stressed that this is a very rare occurrence and that parts are not even stocked because manufacturer and dealerships never see this type of problem.

- Bolingbrook, IL, USA

problem #10

Jan 082002

(reported on)

Cougar

  • miles
Engine> vehicle has been hesitating since 10/01. Vehicle brought in for regular check and description of hesitation/bucking esp. On highway provided to service rep. Vehicle serviced hesitation problem diagnosed as ignition wires in need of replacement. Ignition wires replaced, lube, oil, filter, and fluids topped. Also told all four tires would need to be replaced. Declined tire replacement at this time. Total cost for service with tax &labor=$346.70 vehicle continued to run the same way. Also coolant and airbag icons came on and would not go off. Scheduled for servicing again on 12/5/01. Diagnosis airbag censor in need of replacement (still under warranty ) and in need of a new collant expansion container (approx. Cost $200.) car in on 12/31/01, airbag sensor replaced and car checked again for cause of hesitation. Response unable to duplicate customer's concern. Hesitation continued and on 1/05/02 while returning home on secondary road, check oil light icon came on. Dealership nearby so attempt was made to drive car there. Vehicle died, no power steering. Large puddle of oil under vehicle. Roadside assistance towed vehicle to dealership. Diagnosis> engine gone and in need of replacement. Imploded from within

- Putnam, CT, USA

problem #9

Sep 052001

(reported on)

Cougar

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My car will not start. After I have driven it and start it B ack up it will not start. This has been going on since January 2000. I've taken my car to the dealer five times and they keep saying they can't find the problem. I've filed a suit with the lemon law but its taking to long. Please help me. I can't cut the car off when I drop my kids off at the day care. I'm beyond frustrated.

- Deroit, MI, USA

problem #8

Jan 012000

Cougar

  • miles
Sometimes vehicle will not start. After vehicle is started, consumer will turn it off to see if it will start, and it won't. consumer has contaced dealer.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #7

Jun 152001

Cougar

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
While standing outside of vehicle with windows rolled down when door closed and automatically locked. Consumer noted this was not a feature of vehicle. Key failed to unlock the door, consumer reached inside vehicle to manually unlock door. Dealer stated if a new alarm system was put in to replace the old one, problem might be corrected. Air conditioner turns on and off. Radio will not come on at times. Motor will die out. Alarm went off, door lock by themselves. Key will not crank vehicle at times. Vehicle jumped and jerked almost hitting consumers sister who was standing in front of the vehicle.

- Eden, NC, USA

problem #6

Feb 082001

Cougar

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving vehicle will not accelerate. Vehicle had to be towed due to vehicle not starting.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #5

Feb 062001

(reported on)

Cougar

  • miles
While traveling and without any indication vehicle would stall. Dealer has been contacted. Please provide furhter information.

- Hamilton, OH, USA

problem #4

Oct 242000

(reported on)

Cougar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The ignition has been replaced, however it is failing again, when the key is turned the vehicle will not start, sometimes the alarm will go off.

- Rock Port, MO, USA

problem #3

Jan 081999

Cougar

  • miles
Ignition locks and vehicle won't start, dealer has attempted to fix the problem but cannot.

- Ben Lomond, CA, USA

problem #2

May 012000

Cougar

  • miles
I first thought the problem was with the anti-theft disabling system. I soon found out that was not the case. The car does not start at least once a day. It makes a loud grinding noise when trying to start it. After a few minutes it finally starts. We took the car into the dealership to have it fixed. After stating that other cars had been in with the same problem the dealership proceeding to go out to the car to get more information. Once they seen that it had 38000 miles they refused to fix it under warranty. That is so ridiculous. Other cars have had the same problem, it is not a consumer caused problem. Obviously the car has a defect and I would like to have it fixed free of charge.

- Jackson, OH, USA

problem #1

May 101999

Cougar

  • miles
Caliper pin was replaced by dealership, no charge.

- Delmont, PA, USA

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