I got in my car one day after work in the parking lot and started my car and my airbag light was on. It stayed on for three days and is no longer on. It seems like no one wants to take account or provide solutions for the problem. Everytime I roll up my windows, my lights dim as if the battery is dying. My windshield wiper control doesn't shut off and im not able to change the speed.

- Kalama, WA, USA

I have problem with transmmition shifting 1st to second changes at 3000rpm but when I change park to drive shakes motor bad, one of the wires start smoking I like I put tape around wired burnd. Temperature it doesn't show but when I open the hood the car is very hot every time I tried driving it at freeway overdrive light starts blinking I like I paid to get it fix and still does the same.

- San Rafael, CA, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Mercury Cougar. The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact also stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was able to start after several attempts, however the vehicle failed after the contact drove for a couple of miles. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the alternator and fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 01V031000 (electrical system) or 04V421000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.

- Clear Lake Park, CA, USA

1999 Cougar battery connection problems or something faulty. Sometimes while I'm driving my car just goes dead. It's done that a lot lately. I now have a new battery but the same thing happens and I'm scared when it happens on the freeway. Tonight I was driving on the freeway and it went dead! I had no lights, I had no tail lights, no head lights, no blinkers and no emergency lights and the car close behind me had to slam on breaks cause there was no emergency lane, no side of the road just a guard rail! I was in the middle of the road. Brand new battery just goes dead like it did many times on the older battery it's not the alternator either...something is not making a connection. I'm gonna end up squashed, dead cause on a freeway at night when the car dies everything dies: Lights, tail lights and emergency lights if im in the dark no one would see me in time to stop if im in the middle of the road.

- Center, TX, USA

To whom it may concern: (management) I was driving on a residential street and was honked at by another driver who told me that my brakes lights were not working. I had a friend of mine that is a certified repair person look at it and he said it wasn't the light or the fuse or the brake switch under the pedal and that he was 95% sure it was the stop lamp extension harness that has bronze terminals at the brake lamp switch connector. I bought this car in 2004 and under a recall had the blower switch resistor repaired under the recall. The reason the recalls for this car are not showing up is because the recalls are more than 15 years old & they don't keep track after that. I have never had this problem with this car before but I have had over $9,000 worth of repairs on it since I've owned it not including the normal oil changes and tune up. I think Ford needs to approve this for the recall considering they knew how many things were wrong with the Cougar and that's why they don't make them anymore... not a satisfied customer with a Ford product! first & last Ford product I will ever own if this isn't fixed to my satisfaction. Thank-you, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Madison, WI, USA

Exterior lights not working, replaced brand new and shut off again causing car to lock itself in park.

- Louisville, KY, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Mercury Cougar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The contact inspected under the hood and tightened the battery cable. The vehicle restarted and resumed normally. The failure recurred upon reaching the residence. In addition, a strong odor of fuel emitted inside of the vehicle with a small amount of leakage on the ground. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id numbers 04V421000 ( fuel system, gasoline) and 01V031000 (electrical system). The VIN was not included in either recall. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer but had not been diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.

- Massapequa, NY, USA

Bought car at dealer on 02/05/01 since then I've had to repair car on too many occasions. Here some of the repairs I've had to do on this car ever since I bought it. On 3/01: Brakes, 10/01: Dealership replaced battery and performed a recall,12/01: Dealership replaced alternator, 05/02: Brake pads, 04/04: Water pump belt, 09/04: Replaced batter, 10/11/04: Replaced alternator and belt, 10/14/04: Replaced positive battery terminal, 12/04: Replaced radio, 02/06: Replaced motor mount, 01/07:replaced battery, 02/07: Replaced strut, 02/08: Replaced shock absorber, 10/08: Replaced battery, 04/09: Replaced bearing, transmission & anchor engine mount and don't have the date but also had to replace the windshield wiper motor. These repairs are what I have in receipts yet for example I have replaced the motor mounts more than once. Currently the following areas of my vehicle do not function: The horn no longer works, cruise control is not functioning, the air conditioner no longer heats, & the brake light of my vehicle remained lit when the vehicle was on and now have failed to turn out (lamp socket is burnt).

- Brownsville, TX, USA

Recall id#8389 (Feb 06, 2001) electrical system, battery cables. 1999 Mercury Cougar 2.5L V6 (70263 miles). Just picked up car after paying $3500 in repairs for headgasket, etc. Mechanic mentioned a bearing in the alternator is going and should be replaced soon. That would be the third alternator in this car. I am the original owner, vehicle purchased April 17, 2000. Alternator #1 Jan 15, 2003 (21672 miles) - covered by warranty (vehicle broke down on interstate). Alternator #2 car again died on the interstate with no warning, no "idiot lights. 09/20/2005 (47,791 miles). Paid for myself. Now, 2/24/09 (70,263 miles) need another new alternator! help!! how do I get this covered, I just got laid off, just paid $3500 in other repairs and cannot believe I need another alternator!

- Bellevue, WA, USA

I have owned my 99 Cougar for 7 years now I bought it used and everything worked fine the first year but late within the last 3 years I have changed the alternator 3 times starter 4 times and the battery 3 times just recently my car refused to start so I figured it was the starter cause every fall and winter one of the 3 mentioned goes out well I replaced the starter and it wont start now I checked the battery and that is good I also checked the cables and they are good, and just today I found a few recalls on my car online so I went to the Ford website to see if the recalls where listed but they are not. Does that mean the previous owner did the recalls " and if so why is the same problem occurring and what can the dealership do or will do ? what recourse do I have if the dealership refuses to fix my car under the recall"

- Lakewood, WA, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Mercury Cougar. On September 4, 2008, while driving approximately 65 mph, the interior and exterior lights began flickering on and off. The following week, the contact replaced the battery, but the failure persisted. The dealer performed a diagnostic and stated that the battery cable was defective. The manufacturer stated that his VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 01V031000 (electrical system:battery). The vehicle has not been repaired. The VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 55,000.

- Harwinton, CT, USA

I am the original owner of a 1999 Mercury Cougar automatic V6. I have never been in an accident with the vehicle, but continue to have mechanical problems. Like other 1999 ' 2000 Mercury Cougar owners I worry about the safety of driving a vehicle with more problems than can cost effectively be fixed. My list of broken items include the radio, power window regulator, O2 sensors, transmission at 59,000 miles, dashboard lights (low coolant and check engine), door/window leaky seal issues, engine misfire (decreased acceleration) and now my cruise control and turn signals do not work. Upon researching the recall for cruise control fires dealing with Ford products I found that I am among other disgruntled Cougar owners. Ford/Mercury or Ford technicians have not done a satisfactory job letting owners know of recalls that need attention. My latest concern is that my Cougar might start on fire, per my complaint with Ford; they see no threat with my cruise control issues and suggested I contact the NHTSA with my complaint.

- Bloomington, MN, USA

I also own a 99 Cougar and have had nothing but issues, but I love the way the car drives when it works correctly. I have also replaced the alternator and it's also on its 5th window motor, which still does not work correctly. I have replaced almost every sensor possible, too. Of course when I have questioned Mercury on these issues, they claim that it's not a common problem with the Cougar. I have heard from others on the tire issues, but luckily mine has not had any issues with tires. The newest issue with mine is the headlamps. I was in some heavy rain water in the beginning of Oct. 2006 and they leaked and had puddles inside of them. I took it to be serviced by Mercury and I have not had my car back for 3.5 months! in talking with Ford I have found out that they have not made any headlamps for the 99 Cougar since Jan. 2006 and they are on a nation wide backorder. To make a long story short, I am hoping that Ford will make things right for not stocking headlamps and putting me without a car for the past 3.5 months.

- Winfield, IL, USA

1. car began to lose power and the steering wheel began to lock up and lights began flickering on the dash. 2. the car stalled in the fast lane on a busy freeway. The consequence was a small truck rear-ended the back of the car and it was totaled. One person had busted lip in truck and one in the car had busted forehead and blackened eyes with back injuries and the other one had back and stomach extreme pains and legs. 3. nothing could be done at this point-the car always had problems. Too bad, I was not aware of all of the recalls--maybe that would not have helped either.

- Beeville, TX, USA

I would like to complain about my Cougar. I cannot pass the il. Emissions tests, due to the fact that the O2 sensors are defective. My engine light is constantly on. I have had my car serviced for the engine light, alone, 8 different times. Eight! this is incredible. Also, my car makes a loud screeching noise when I attempt to start it. -if it starts at all.- I have had my starter replaced twice. Twice!!! this car is a lemon. Nothing but a lemon. How could Mercury sale such crap and get away with it. My drivers' license will be suspended because I cannot pass the emissions test. If I can even get my car to the testing facility. I have had the alternator changed, the fuel pump, the electrical wiring changed, sunroof, turning signal, even the radio was defective. I sincerely hope that there is a class-action lawsuit against Mercury, because I will be the first one in line to sue.

- Orland Hills, IL, USA

: the contact stated while driving at various speeds the engine stalls causing all the lights on the dash to illuminate. Additionally the speedometer, gas gauge and odometer become inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealership but because it was purchased as is they will not inspect it.

- Waverly, NY, USA

I have had multiple problems since I purchased the car in 10/99. I have had the sun roof replaced once and now needs it again for the same reason; the track broke ($1000 to fix, $2000 if I go to the dealer). The ignition switch has been changed twice because it sticks (it need to be changed again). In 2/00 it started: Whenever the car got cold, the car would either not turn on or would just shut down while I was driving. The car was brought to the dealer multiple times for the same problem. He changed numerous parts but was unable to resolve the issue, until a 2004 recall for something to do with the fuel system. About three years ago the engine light came on at which time the dealer replaced the catalytic converter. A few weeks later the engine light came on again at which time the dealer told me it was the head gasket. That, I had replaced by an independent mechanic and then still had to bring it back to the dealer to have the catalytic converter done a second time, and to have the computer reset to have the engine light shut off. Anytime I have work done on the car, even just maintenance, the check coolant light or the engine light comes on and I have to bring it to the dealer to have it shut off. In 9/05 the coolant light illuminated and a day later the engine light came on, I brought the car to an independent mechanic who changed the overflow tank because he believed it to be a bad sensor. After fixing that, the engine light would not go off as well as one of my brake lights. He did multiple tests and determined that it is something electrical, unfortunately he could not pinpoint the exact cause of the electrical problem. For some reason those lights have gone off but I expect them come back on soon.

- Spotswood, NJ, USA

The consumer owns a 1999 Mercury Cougar. The heater blower motor resister was replaced, because when the dashboard was pulled off it was burned. There was a recall for this, and the dealership stated that similiar to other vehicles that had been fixed. When contacting Ford, they stated this vehicle was not part of the recall. The motor switch would not work on one of the four speeds; therefore, the vehicle was taken into the dealership. This was first noticed on July 11, 2005.

- Seabrook, TX, USA

Purchased car new, in 57000 miles we have had to replace, 2 alternators, 1 starter, 2 batteries, entire rack and pinion, power steering pump, transmission torque converter, 4 set of brakes, 4 sets of tires plus two individual tires all with sidewall blow outs except one puncture and 2 headlight switches, 2 cig lighters. The entire upper engine gasket set had to be replaced to get to an intake leak. The head lights and foglights work itermittantly, engine warning lights are constantly going on and off. Currently one headlight is out (lamp is good) fog lights are not working (today) and an engine warning light is indicating a problem again.

- Ofallon, MO, USA

Consumer complaint: ODI case number: 10070550 component: Other details: Exhibiting a starter grinding noise and / or lack of starter drive engagement (from tsb). The flywheel defect first appeared in June 2001 when the Cougar was under warranty in years and mileage. When the defect surfaced, the Cougar would not kick-over immediately, however this occurred very infrequently. At the time, there was no consistent problem to recognize and rectify. Over the ensuing months the problem continued to occur intermittently. At this point, I recognized there was a possible mechanical problem. The problem I was experiencing was caused by a defective flywheel. Its teeth were soft and the defect had worn away the starter. The flywheel had to be replaced along with the starter motor and in order to complete this repair the transmission had to first be removed. Cause: Result: Occurences: 1injuries: 0 fail date: 10/15/2002deaths: 0 mcs check date: 4/25/2004 I inquired on the cost for the fly wheel, which has just been relayed to me by my mechanic, that it is not the starter. The transmission specialist said the cost would be $1,030 or so. I have a 1999 Mercury Cougar.

- Palisades Park, NJ, USA