The contact owns a 2000 Mercury Cougar. The contact stated that the battery failed and multiple warning indicators, including the check engine indicator, illuminated. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics to have the battery replaced. After multiple incorrect diagnostics, it was determined that the battery cable routing was defective. The contact discovered NHTSA campaign number: 01V031000 (electrical system); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 38,600.

- Upland, CA, USA

Letter from congressman griffith on behalf of constituent re electrical safety issues with 2000 Mercury Cougar. The consumer stated he constantly experienced wiring/electrical problems.

- Gate City, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Mercury Cougar. The contact stated that the interior lights and headlights flickered. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the wiring harness had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number 01V031000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 63,127 and current mileage was 67,000.

- Marietta , GA, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Mercury Cougar. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously included in and repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 01V031000 (electrical system). The contact stated that the windshield wipers, speedometer and the exterior lighting began operating sporadically after the vehicle had been serviced under the recall. The contact also noticed smoke coming from under the hood. The vehicle also stalled intermittently. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnosis and the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Gate City, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Mercury Cougar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the battery warning light illuminated on the instrument panel and there was burning odor emitted inside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for a diagnostic test. The mechanic stated that the battery and alternator would have replaced. The failure occurred a second time after the repair. The vehicle was not taken back to be repaired again. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number 01V031000 (electrical system:battery:cables), that may be related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

- Mount Holly, NJ, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Mercury Cougar. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the vehicle suddenly stalled as the wheel locked and the radio shut off, similar to the failure listed under NHTSA campaign id number: 01V031000 ( electrical system:battery:cables). The contact was unable to restart the vehicle without a jump. The manufacturer was not notified nor was the vehicle diagnosed or repaired. The current and failure mileages were 135,288.

- Niantic, CT, USA

There is an electrical issue that is effecting my vehicle. I have a V6 engine, and the instrument cluster, radio, interior lights, and head lights flicker when I start up my car and continue to do so. I went online to look at possibly recalls and saw that there was one decribing the exact issue I have. I called the Ford dealership in huntley, Illinois and talked to a guy in the service department, named mike. He told me that the recall only affected certain Mercury Cougar from certain plants.... I am alson having issues with the transmission range sensor.

- Crystal Lake, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Mercury Cougar. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The battery was replaced and the contact received a jump start before he was able to start the vehicle. The vehicle remained on for a few minutes before stalling. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was advised that the alternator would need to be replaced. The alternator was replaced. The contact was able to drive the vehicle but found that the headlights were intermittently dimming. The contact was advised by the dealer and manufacturer that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 01V031000 (electrical system: Battery: Cables). The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle would hesitate and that fuel was not traveling to the engine correctly even with a full tank of fuel. The dealer and manufacturer both advised that contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 04V421000 (fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 98,000 and the current mileage was 100,000.

- Salem, OR, USA

My car stalled while in the middle of a busy intersection while in motion. Later find out that I need a new fuel pump. Was not aware it was under recall. Paid to have it fixed in July of 2009. Repair shop failed to put my VIN, mileage, and correct year of vehicle on invoice resulting in not being able to get my money back from Ford. Recall was good through January 31, 2010. My car once again stalled while at a stop light sparks and small flames when attempting to start after stalling. Electrical problem, and Ford is doing nothing about it. I replaced the battery and still no crank or clicking. Also listed as a recall. Spend $651.02 to have fuel pump fixed and now can't get my money back because repair shop did not fill out invoice correctly. Now will have to possibly pay over a $1,000 to fix the electrical issue... when the fuel pump was fixed, the shop failed to secure the gas tank correctly causing fuel to pour out while driving at a rate of a gallon per minute. Ford is now doing everything they can to avoid paying me back for the recall services after I was informed by a Ford customer service rep that I would be paid back. I have been back and forth for weeks now to the dealership and I have been told over and over again with a new excuse everytime as to why they can not repay me...

- Gaithersburg, MD, USA

Flashing battery light. Lights would dim during accelerations or revving of engine. Alternator fails causing vehicle to stall in the middle of the road. Safety issue, I have taken the car to repair shop, mechanic states he has researched this and says this seems to be an on going problem with this model of car. Battery light still stays on and lights dim on acceleration after replaced alternator.

- Crawfordville, FL, USA

2000 Mercury Cougar V 6 auto -55000 mi - steady state cruising after 10 mi 'warm up' - a frequent, problem - like ok for 3 or 4 mile, then 2 or 3 times will jerk or shudder, then ok for 3 or 4 mi - hard jerk, engine tach jumps from 2800 > 4000 RPM, back to 2800. Seems mostly at steady 70 mph or so, does do it sometimes at 40. Seems hardly ever on short drive, like 8 mi to work in morning. Trans can't find correct gear " computer " dealer, aftermarket shop couldn't find anything. New fuel filter, trans oil.

- Plainsboro, NJ, USA

The lights on the interior and exterior of my car have been flickering since I purchased the car from an individual a few years ago. Last week I smelled burning wires while driving and me and my husband pulled off the road and he investigated the problem as to where the smell was coming from. He noticed the battery cables were hot and melted insulation on them at the battery posts. Now instead of a flickering alternator light, headlights, and dash lights, I have an alternator light that stays on and everything else is still flickering. We took the car to a mechanic because the car quit running, apparently because the battery went dead. They replaced the battery and the alternator which cost me $320. I still have flickering lights and the alternator light is still on. I took it to have the alternator checked even though it was brand new, just to be sure and was told that there was a wiring problem, that the charge from the alternator was not getting back to the battery. All fuses were checked and to my understanding my car is not involved in any recalls according to the VIN I furnished Ford. I want this fixed, and I see on all the research I have done checking the web for similar problems, that I am not the only Mercury Cougar owner of this year model that can't seem to get any help with an apparent safety issue. Also I have a sunroof that has to be taped down to keep it from blowing out of the car and leaks when it rains if it doesn't have tape on the seams.

- Man, WV, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Mercury Cougar. The contact stated that the battery cables leading from the battery to the alternator caused shortages. All of the electrical components flickered inside and outside the vehicle. He took the vehicle to a certified mechanic, who confirmed that there was a short somewhere in the vehicle. In addition, he noticed a failure within the fuel injection system. The RPM's would rev to a high degree and then decrease very quickly, which occasionally caused the vehicle to stall. The RPM's fluctuated when shutting off the vehicle or revving. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealer. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign id numbers 01V031000 (electrical system:battery:cables) and 04V421000 (fuel system, gasoline). The current mileage was approximately 106,000 and failure mileage was approximately 52,000.

- Buchanan, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Mercury Cougar. While driving approximately 45 mph on normal road conditions, the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. There was a moderate loss of power in the vehicle and a burning odor. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop and they stated that the failure was related to the alternator battery cable. The vehicle was repaired. Recently, the contact observed an excessively high temperature reading from the voltage of the alternator. On three separate occasions, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for the identical failures. There were no resolutions. The contact experienced failures identical to the ones mentioned in NHTSA campaign id number 01V031000 (electrical system:battery:cables). The failure mileage was 62,000 and current mileage was 68,000.

- Lutz, FL, USA

With no warning, my car's electrical system will start failing. Lights will dim, RPM and speed gauges reset and the car stalls with in a matter of minutes. The vehicle will not start again and has to be towed to the dealership. Vehicle has left me stranded 5+ times because of this. The failure is in the alternator to the car and possibly the battery as well which both have only ever been the manufacturers parts. I have had to have my battery replaced 4 times and my alternator 5+ times it is obvious that there is a substantial problem with this car's electrical system. The car is not dependable at all and causes more stress, money, & time than it is worth. These issues should be addressed by the Ford Motor Company.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

My daughter's car is having electrical problems. It is exactly as mentioned in NHTSA recall campaign 01V031000. The dealer won't fix the problem as a recall because is was supposedly fixed at the time of the recall before my daughter bought the car. It is a 2000 Mercury Cougar. Ford has told her it was repaired and what dealer repaired it in New Jersey. She is in South Carolina in college, and took vehicle to a dealer there. They said they didn't do recall repairs. She called the dealer in New Jersey that Ford told her did the work, and they told her that sometimes recall work has to be redone, but the warranty was only for one year. I don't feel she should have to pay to have the work done if it is a known problem with Mercury Cougar, and her car was one that was included in that recall. I wish Ford could at least help her partially with the repairs. The recall said the car might catch on fire. I hope this never happens to her or anyone owning a Cougar.

- Burlington, NJ, USA

Interior lights, headlights and gauges dim and brighten while the vehicle is being driven. On one occasion the consumer's wife couldn't see a curb due to the light flickering. As a result she ran over the curb which caused a flat tire and resulted in the vehicle running into a ditch.

- Dexter, MO, USA

2000 Mercury Cougar. The consumer found recall 01V031000 for the electric battery and alternator. The battery has been replaced three times in the last week, and the alternator has been replaced once. However, problem recurred.. when she contacted Mercury they stated this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. The vehicle will start. But when she turned on the air conditioner or radio the vehicle stalled. Both the battery and alternator have been checked to see if they were the problem. Two mechanics stated the battery and alternator were fine. It was an electrical problem. The emission system light on the vehicle kept coming on. Ford stated they knew of this problem and that could be checked.

- Columbia, SC, USA

Vehicle lost power while driving down highway. Replaced the battery and took to shop to have alternator and whatever else looked at. Mechanic could not find anything wrong. Battery light still flashing. I'm scared this will happen again and leave me stranded. Also have had same electrical problems (power windows) as everyone else, as well as spending $600 on brakes, and trunk latch won't work. Radio works off and on. Also had to replace bumper as it was ripped off while pulling out of parking space. (not negligenc).

- Overland Park, KS, USA

For the last 18 month the head lights and dash lights have flickered. I have taken it to the dealer 4 or 5 times. Twice before the warranty ran out. The problem was never fixed and the dealer alway told me the electrical system checked out find. The problem has gotten worse and now the alternator has failed twice in 30 days. This was my third and last Mercury.

- Richlmond Hill, GA, USA