The contact owns a 2000 Mercury Cougar. The contact stated when starting the vehicle, the vehicle would lack power. The battery and alternator were replaced but to no avail. The contact located a recall for the failure (NHTSA campaign id number: 01V031000- electrical system: Battery: Cables) but was told by the manufacturer that his vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure and current mileages were approximately 62,000. Updated 11/03/10. Updated 2/17/2011

- Bridgeport , CT, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Mercury Cougar. While attempting to proceed from a stop sign, the vehicle stalled. Upon further inspection he noticed that the battery cables were melted. The vehicle was towed to a local repair facility. A mechanic concluded that the cable made contact with the power steering line which caused the insulation to wear, and thus an an electrical short. The dealer was contacted in reference to recall # 01V031000 (electrical system:battery:cables). Since his vehicle identification number was excluded from the recall, he was ineligible for a free remedy. No repairs were made. The manufacturer was notified, and he was in the process of sending them correspondence. The failure and current mileages were 110,000.

- Woodstock, GA, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Mercury Cougar. While driving between 55-60 mph, all of the vehicle lights began flickering. The vehicle failed three times and was towed to a mechanic. The mechanic stated that the alternator needed to be replaced. When the alternator was replaced, the vehicle lights still flickered. The contact was informed that his VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 01V031000 (electrical system: Battery: Cables). The powertrain was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 67,000.

- Tampa, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Mercury Cougar. The vehicle would not start and it was jumped by aaa. The vehicle was driven to the repair shop and they stated that the cable that connected the battery to the alternator needed to be replaced. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 01V031000 (electrical system:battery:cables), even though the vehicle was manufactured within the manufacture dates. The vehicle was manufactured in April of 2000. The current and failure mileages were 118,000.

- Neshanic , NJ, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Mercury Cougar. The contact stated that there was a recall on the alternator battery cable. When the battery shorts out, it catches fire and also shorts out the alternator. While driving 35 mph, the cable caught fire, but it extinguished on its own. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that his VIN was not included in any recalls. The contact paid for the repair and wants to be reimbursed. Ford refuses to reimburse him and advised him to call NHTSA. The current and failure mileages were 65,000.

- Sierra Vista, AZ, USA

Went out to go to work one morning and car would not start, all systems completely dead, jumped car off next day and barely made it to garage, replaced battery 11/04, problems ever since with battery light constantly flashing as well as all interior and exterior lights flashing bright to dim day or night, was told 11/04 needed a new alternator, still have not gotten a new alternator and do not plan to at this point, received the recall on battery cable and rerouting and had that done, if this is a consistent problem with V-6 2000 Mercury Cougar the company should take care of this problem immediately, if driving at night and car completely stalls, all lights and controls are inoperable which will cause accident to self and/or others, this is a scary thought for a single female driving at night and in areas where cell phone doesn't always have a signal, Ford should fix this battery/alternator problem asap before someone gets hurt and sues.

- Penhook, VA, USA

My 2000 Mercury Cougar has a problem with the battery light flashing intermittently and the head lights and interior lights flickering consistently. First I took it to two local repair shops who found no charging problems. The second shop provided me with a recall and recommended that I take it to the dealer. I took it to the Ford dealer(with the recall paper work) and they first replaced the alternator (which didn't fix the problem) then replaced a connector (which didn't fix my problem). When I asked them to replace the battery cable to the alternator which is mentioned in the recall the service manager told me that he would have to replace a $1,900 wiring harness to do that. He recommended that I trade my car in. So I went out and bought a "consumer reports" used car buying guide to look for a reliable used car and I found a section in the back for "recalls". under the '99-00 Mercury Cougar section it references this recall and says "if necessary, replace the battery cable". I have filed a complaint with Ford and plan to call the attorney generals Consumer Affairs division next.

- Manchester, NH, USA

The contact stated while driving at 50mph the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealership. Upon inspection the dealer found the battery wire had came loose from the alternator. The problem returned a second time under a similar circumstance, but the vehicle was driven to the dealer. The battery wire was reattached the second time. The contact found there was a previous recall for the battery cables, NHTSA campaign id # 01V031000. The vehicle was inspected on October 15, 2001 and there was no problem found. According to the records the recall is closed.

- Oklahoma City , OK, USA

Recall campaign 01V031000 concerning battery cable routing. Consumer vehicle is experiencing intermittent problem with the hesitation and stalling. Dealer replaced alternator twice, and repair shop once. However, the problem recurred.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

When turning key to start vehicle there is a loud noise, not clicking sound, vehicle will not start. Consumer has to take key out of ignition and try again, a couple of times before vehicle will start. To dealer who found nothing wrong. Could be recall on battery cable routing.

- Southfiled, MI, USA