The contact owns a 1999 Mercury Cougar. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the vehicle became hesitant to acceleration attempts before stalling. The check engine light illuminated after the failure occurred. The contact was able to restart the vehicle as it returned to normal function. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who performed a diagnostic and located the failure at the fuel pump. The mechanic advised that the fuel pump was not receiving the correct fuel level. The failure mileage was 88,700 and the current mileage was 88,800.

- Saint Petersburg , FL, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Mercury Cougar. The contact stated that the check engine light illuminated upon starting the vehicle. In addition, the engine exhibited a loss of power. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop and the contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure recurred approximately eleven months later. The vehicle was taken back to the repair shop and the contact was informed that the same repairs would be needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 04V42100(fuel system, gasoline). The failure mileage was 125,000. Updated 03/14/12

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

1999 Mercury Cougar - right fuel tank strap failure. While traveling at highway speed, I suddenly heard a noise of something metallic slapping against the underside of the vehicle. After pulling over to investigate, I discovered that the right side fuel tank strap had completely corroded thru and had broken, allowing the fuel tank to drop down slightly on the passenger side. Once I was able to jack up the car to examine, I discovered that the coating on the metal strap had cracked off and that the metal strap was corroded so badly that the metal strap had torn from the weight of the fuel tank, allowing the strap to drop to the pavement. I replaced the strap with a universal replacement strap because I was told that the item would be a special order item and that I could not be guaranteed as to when it would be received. To prevent corrosion of the replacement strap, I primed and painted it with a rust inhibiting paint. I fear that if I had backed up while the strap had been broken (if I had been unaware of the condition) that the strap could have caught on the pavement and been forced up into the gas tank, possibly puncturing it, or that the gas tank could have broken the remaining strap and ripped from the undercarriage of the vehicle, resulting in a potential fire condition. It concerns me that automakers are not required to use a stainless grade (non-corroding) material for critical items such as critical suspension components, brake lines, or in this case, fuel system related components, such as tank support straps. I have never heard of a car of this age having this type of problem but found thru my search online that failure of the right fuel tank strap seems to be a bit too common on the 1999+ Mercury Cougar.

- Des Moines, IA, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Mercury Cougar. While driving 30 mph the vehicle started to surge back and forth and then the shut off. He had to wait approximately 15 minutes before he was able to restart the vehicle. He also stated that the vehicle would not accelerate beyond 25 mph without shutting off. The dealer stated that the fuel delivery module failed and advised him that the repair cost would be approximately $200. NHTSA campaign id number: 04V421000 component: Fuel system, gasoline is related to the failure; however, the dealer stated that his vehicles identification number number was not included. The vehicle will be repaired at the owners expense. The failure mileage was 100,000 and current mileage was 105,000.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

I've got a repeatable failure that happens when I make a left turn or go up an incline while I have less than a quarter of a tank of gas in my vehicle. The car will lose power and start to stutter, and has completely stalled a couple times. I haven't had any parts replaced yet, but I found other people with this problem and an extended coverage program offered by the manufacturer that they say doesn't apply to my vehicle. This has also been NHTSA campaign id as well. According to the emails with customer service the program was for cars manufactured May 25, 1999 through November 30, 2001. My car was manufactured on May 24, 1999. I questioned if the one day difference in manufacture could actually exclude my vehicle, if my vehicle could actually be affected, and whether there was some way to tell if the affected part was installed in my vehicle (possibly by part number or serial number of the installed part). There are apparently at least several different parts (the pre extended program part, the bad part being replaced during the program, and the one replacing the bad part. I have requested but not been given a way to tell the difference between the different parts.

- Jefferson, OR, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Mercury Cougar. The contact stated that the engine would hesitate and stall intermittently. The vehicle would also lose power and surge as if it would fail while driving. While driving uphill at 65 mph, the vehicle would appear sluggish and then operate normally again. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited the same failures as described in NHTSA campaign id number 04V421000 (fuel system, gasoline). The dealer stated that there were no recalls, and the contact would be charged for a diagnostic. The purchase date was unknown. The current mileage was 126,325 and failure mileage was 121,000.

- Caldwell, ID, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Mercury Cougar. The vehicle would hesitate and surge without warning while driving between 45-65 mph. The vehicle has not been inspected by a dealer. The throttle control sensor and fuel filters were replaced; however, the failure continued. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 04V421000 (fuel system, gasoline). The current and failure mileages were 100,000.

- Slippery Rock , PA, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Mercury Cougar. In 2003, the engine failed when fuel was present in the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and repaired under warranty. Currently, fuel is not able to enter into the engine. The vehicle will start and then shut off. A diagnostic test has not been performed on the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle has also had electrical failures, which caused the battery to fail four times in four years. The battery cable has been retightened several times and replaced once. The speed was unknown. The current mileage was 99,000 and failure mileage was 20,000.

- Douglasville, GA, USA

Recall of brake pressure control. Ford service center states repair was done on 12-19-2000, but there is no records to confirm. In addition, the fuel system recall, Ford states that there isn't one on my vehicle, however, my vechicle displays the same symptoms described under recall 04V421000 and the continuous check engine light. I have had all sensors repaired that came up in engine diagnostic testing. According to last test done, reads fuel is running lean but can't repair because no code appears for that to show where problem lies. I have had fuel system flushed to help remedy problem. Still having issues.

- Cleveland , OH, USA

: the contact stated the vehicle hesitated, stalled, lost power and backfired when the fuel tank reached a level of three quarters to one half full. The vehicle restarted immediately after it stalled. The contact discovered NHTSA recall 04V421000, concerning the fuel system online. The VIN was not included in the recall.

- New Port Richey, FL, USA

: the contact stated while stopped at a red light, the vehicle hesitated, a loss of power occurred and the vehicle stalled. There is a NHTSA recall, # 04V421000, regarding the fuel system. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.

- Lake Mary, FL, USA

There is recall on Mercury Cougar 1999 V6 for a fuel filter that may cause hesitation, stalling, surging. Over fifty times has this occurred nearly causing serious accidents over five times. The car has been given a "tune up" to eliminate that as the cause. The only other cause could be the fuel filter which has been recalled as per recall 04V421000 NHTSA. I have contacted Ford and Ford dealerships and they refuse to deal with the problem. If this has happened on other vehicles then it is the cause on this vehicle whether they want to admit to that or not. This needs to be fixed before someone gets seriously injured or killed.

- Greenville, SC, 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

1999 Mercury Cougar engine hesitates, losses power and bucks when attempting to accelerate. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer after having the vehicle for 4 days, they still had not made a determination as to what was causing the engine to hesitate. The consumer took the vehicle to a local mechanic and was told the catalytic converter needed to be replaced, however after the replacement the problem continued. The consumer took it back to the mechanic and the inlet manifold runner control was replaced, but that did not resolve the problem either. The consumer took it back again and was told they had no clue as to what the problem was. After doing some research, the consumer came across a bulletin which described the problem he was experiencing and a resolution, which was a defect in the fuel delivery module. The consumer discovered the vehicle identification number was not included in the program.

- Fremont, CA, USA

When making a left hand turn and a half a tank of fuel or below, the engine misfires and almost stalls out, this presents a hazard when making a left-hand turn with oncoming traffic coming. The fuel system has been checked and seems to be operating fine.

- Timonium, MD, USA

Passenger's seat will not lock in place unless seat is positioned all way to the back closely to rear seat. Consumer states the seat if unlocked and moved foward will only relock when pushed all the way to the rear, then seat can be adjusted and locked from any position, the problem is that you can not lock the seat if anything is placed behind the seat, in trying to lock the seat consumer states she has the crush her grandchild's feet in the car seat, consumer states there is a strong to light gasoline odor, also gas pedal will stick in up position and need strong push to release, door locks automaticcalylock and unlock at any time, the locks were finally replaced and consumer was given an extended warranty, consumer states radio goes out and the display disappears when it is hot.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA