Altenator Keeps Failing

2000 Mercury Cougar

This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Mercury dealer.

10.0

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$550
Average Mileage:
75,550 miles
Total Complaints:
7 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (3 reports)
  2. replace alternator (2 reports)
  3. the wiring was shot (2 reports)
2000 Mercury Cougar electrical problems

electrical problem

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2000 Mercury Cougar Owner Comments

problem #7

May 012005

Cougar V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,000 miles

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

LEMON!!!! First purchased this 2000 red Mercury Cougar for my son for H.S. Should have seen the light before it became critical. Used car from a Chevrolet Dealership, beautiful car, great reviews for safety, not much information on issues. Was very clean, sturdy, etc. Son loved it. For 3 days.

Lights at night surged (dash and driving), battery light came on, alternator failure. Took back to dealership. They replaced alternator bought from ford. They did this 2 more times in a month and would not cover further repairs. Each time buying alternator from local Ford Dealer but no additional advise was provided from Ford about vehicle. Problem. Alternator and battery failed within 6 months.

Took to Jones Ford dealer locally who replaced the alternator and 1 connector to it. My SON paid $400 out of his 16 YOA pocket. Within a couple months alternator failed again. Ford would not cover their own work. I personally replaced this one. Never saw an alternator so impossible to replace, from under the car, passengers side, behind wheel, removing part of the front end suspension.

A friend of mine found online a wire repair. Paid local electrician $100 to replace line. Surging lights continued, battery discharge light continued then another issue arouse taking the car off the road. (explained on another report (fuel pump)). After replacing fuel pump and fixing a bare lead to pump directly over the tank, electrical issues remain the same to this date. DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS CAR!

- thekuch1, Summerville, SC, US

problem #6

Dec 012015

Cougar V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 126,000 miles

Bought this car for my son who's in High School, stand out athlete and student, but he picked the wrong piece of sh*t car is the sad part. He still walks to school, wrestling practice, and everywhere else he hops a ride because Ford (Mercury). We were always a Ford family, we own a Expedition 2004, 1986 Bronco 2 and Mercury Cougar 2000, all were good vehicles when they used to run. Sad thing is I have always paid for our maintenance routines faithfully; oil, transmission flush every thing.

These cars just suck up your cash to no end. 04' Expo 120,000 transmission locks up needs new rebuild? Bronco 2 fuel pumps, new engine, rebuilt. We had a 2008 Ford Fusion v-6 transmission burned out. Dealer put us in a 2010 hybrid, still runs but we landed up paying for 2 cars 08 10 added both loans together Ford for you thought they were helping us burned us in Colorado paying for two.

Mercury Cougar 00' 3 alternators endless labor fees, 2 batteries, and still my kid no car? Right now I'm so pissed at Ford Nation Call Center want to import a North Korean car. Ford is very disappointing to my family. I've called and reported all my vehicles to them and nothing, not even a reach around. Now I know why they didn't need a Bail Out from the Government. They Burned us Consumers at the other end in QQuallliiitttyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cars and trucks made in America, Mexico, wherever, should not be built like this. No wounder why buyers go else where. All the dealerships are thieves and sell at the highest price, make all there money, then you go to their shops for simple oil changes, wait 2 hours, treated like sh*t. Charged every time and chance they get at your wallet 3 times more then the regular garageand want you to come back?

- Freddie M., Pueblo, CO, US

problem #5

Jun 282006

Cougar V6 2.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,452 miles

click to see larger images

altenator keeps failing altenator keeps failing altenator keeps failing altenator keeps failing altenator keeps failing altenator keeps failing

Every 2 years I had to replace my alternator. My A/C didn't work for crap either and the car would overheat when i used it. Plus the lights would dim a little here and there. Til finally one day on a road trip my car caught on fire at a Gas Station. It was a slow smoldering fire most likely electrical, so i can't say i barely escaped with my life. I really did like the look of that car. Nothing like watching you car burn slowly.

- madjoe, Blythe, CA, US

problem #4

May 062007

(reported on)

Cougar V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles

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

the alternator kept dying and they figured out the third time around that it was the wiring that was going and finally fixed... good thing it was under warranty

- hobesgirl, Toms River, NJ, US

problem #3

Aug 222007

(reported on)

Cougar 2.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,330 miles

I have had this car only four months and i had three alternators put on this car. the lights also flicker. this is a complete nuisance. i will never own another cougar for as long as i live.

- Marcus B., Mount Airy, NC, US

problem #2

Sep 202006

(reported on)

Cougar LX

  • 69,000 miles

My car was driving fine until the alternator went out. I replaced the alternator. Replaced the alternator the second time with in the week. The third alternator the next time and one block later we are on our 4th it still won't start. They replaced 3 wires and still not the problem. Does anyone know if there is a trend here that they can help us with?

- Reatha C., Henderson, NV, US

problem #1

Feb 082006

(reported on)

Cougar

  • 96,000 miles

I have owned this car for 2 years. In that time i have had to replace the altenator 4 times. can someone please tell me what I am suppose to do I cant keep replacing altenators

- ramona, Irving, TX, US

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