10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
19,500 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2000 Mercury Cougar:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #2

May 152004

Cougar 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,000 miles
I was heading home from the beach. I had my car on cruise control. A car was stopping ahead to turn into a housing development. I tried to push the brake to disengage the cruise control, but the cruise control did not disengage. I again hit the brake, harder this time, but the cruise control again did not disengage. With my foot on the brake I tried to swerve to miss the car in front of me. I ended up losing control of my car offroad and rolling the car into a ditch. I avoided any other cars or property, but my car was damaged heavily. I am still awaiting the assessment of the damage from my insurance company. My passenger and I both walked away, luckily we were wearing our seat belts.

- North Port, FL, USA

Add Complaint
problem #1

Jan 232001

Cougar

  • miles
Vehicle maintains RPM and /or increases RPM when shifting gear. Dealership replaced the idle air by-pass control valve and I had no problems for a while but the problem has reoccurred. Suspect the valve is faulty or is installed in such a way that heat is affecting its performance. My brother disconnected it when the car was "acting up" and the problem did not continue. My concern is that this can be a danger when operating the vehicle on slippery road surfaces in winter and during rainy conditions. Not to mention that it's hard on your engine.

- Hampton, VA, USA

Add Complaint