NHTSA vehicle safety data

2000 Mercury Cougar Recalls & Complaints

The 2000 Mercury Cougar has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 211 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mercury dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2000 Mercury Cougar. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2000 Mercury Cougar owner complaints

Owners have filed 211 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Mercury Cougar, describing incidents dated November 12, 1999 to May 6, 2016.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 63 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 46 complaints
Engine 26 complaints
Visibility/Wiper 18 complaints
Air Bags 17 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 16 complaints

Of the 211 complaints on file, 18 report a crash and 10 a fire; across all 211 complaints, owners report 17 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11287532 · Filed December 6, 2019
TL* 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…
ODI #10898974 · Filed August 26, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE WINDOWS AND SUN ROOF INDEPENDENTLY ROLLED DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
ODI #10864259 · Filed May 10, 2016
TAKATA INFLATORSI HAVE A 2000. MERCURY. COGUAR. WHEN. I BOUGHT THE. CAR IT RAN TGOOD, THEN. IN 2014. I HAD TO. PAY 1000. TO GET A. FUEL PUMP PUT IN. AND. THAT ONLY LASTED. 2YRS. NOW THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT . I DON'T. HAVE. THAT KIND OF MONEY .I LIVE ON AS. WHEN I PAY MY BILLS I'M. BROKE. I LOOKED UP…

Read all 211 complaints

Owner-reported

2000 Mercury Cougar mileage at failure

99 of the 211 complaints on file for the 2000 Mercury Cougar give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Fuel/Propulsion System	Median 70,000 miles	Middle half 40,000–100,000 miles	Based on 34 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Complaints received before December 15, 2002 rarely give a mileage, so they aren't counted here.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES

NHTSA #08E033000 · Suspension · NHTSA notice

Reported April 14, 2008 · FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS PRODUCTS

Potentially affected: 6,903 vehicles

Owners notified May 22, 2008

Defect description

FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.

Safety consequence

THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDER

NHTSA #06E022000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA notice

Reported March 13, 2006 · BRAKE PARTS, INC.

Potentially affected: 7,440 vehicles

Owners notified March 20, 2006

Defect description

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.

Safety consequence

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AC DELCO, AIMCO, CARQUEST, AND BENDIX BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER OR FORD VEHICLES.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

FORD/FUEL DELIVERY MODULE

NHTSA #04V421000 · Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA notice

Reported August 30, 2004 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 88,600 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 04N02 · Owners notified April 16, 2004 · Vehicles built May 25, 1999 – November 30, 2001 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, CONTAMINATION OF THE FILTER IN THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) CAN REDUCE, AND EVENTUALLY BLOCK, THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.

Safety consequence

THIS MAY CAUSE ENGINE HESITATION, LOSS OF POWER, SURGING, AND OTHER SIMILAR SYMPTOMS. OVER TIME, THE FILTER MAY BECOME SUFFICIENTLY BLOCKED TO CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

THIS ACTION IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN AND IS NOT BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE SAFETY ACT. ALL OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FDM WITH A NEW DESIGN AT NO CHARGE IF THE OWNER REPORTS THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITS ANY OF THE IDENTIFIED SYMPTOMS. THE FREE REPLACEMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, WITH NO MILEAGE LIMIT. THE CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON APRIL 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 04N02.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

FORD/BATTERY CABLE ROUTING

NHTSA #01V031000 · Electrical System — 12V/24V/48V Battery — Cables · NHTSA notice

Reported February 6, 2001 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 120,000 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 01S02 · Owners notified March 22, 2001 · Vehicles built December 6, 1997 – September 18, 2000 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L V6 ENGINES. THE BATTERY CABLE WAS MISROUTED AND ITS ATTACHMENT TO THE ALTERNATOR CABLE WAS UNDER-TORQUED. IF MISROUTED, THE CABLE COULD CONTACT THE POWER STEERING LINE AND THE INSULATION COULD WEAR, RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.

Safety consequence

THE SHORT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE, STALLING, OR A NO-START CONDITION.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BATTERY CABLE TO THE ALTERNATOR FOR DAMAGE AND, IF IT IS DAMAGED, WILL REPLACE THE CABLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE ROUTING OF THE CABLE WILL BE CORRECTED, AS NECESSARY, AND A ROUTING CLIP WILL BE ADDED. ALSO THE TORQUE ON THE ALTERNATOR ATTACHMENT OF THE CABLE WILL BE CHECKED AND, AS REQUIRED, WILL BE TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

FORD/REAR BRAKE VALVE

NHTSA #00V075000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components · NHTSA notice

Reported March 9, 2000 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 436,200 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 00S03 · Owners notified October 11, 2000 · Vehicles built December 6, 1997 – March 16, 2000 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). A PRESSURE CONSCIOUS REDUCING VALVE (PCRV) IN THE REAR BRAKES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CORROSION AND RESULT IN MALFUNCTION, WHEN OPERATED IN AREAS THAT USE SALT COMPOUNDS ON THE ROADWAY FOR DE-ICING OR DUST CONTROL.

Safety consequence

IF BOTH PCRV'S MALFUNCTION, VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED DURING BRAKING AS A RESULT OF THE REAR WHEELS LOCKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL IMPROVED PCRV'S IN THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS RECALL WAS EXPANDED IN SEPTEMBER 2000 TO INCLUDE 1999 AND 2000 FORD CONTOUR, MERCURY MYSTIQUE AND COUGAR VEHICLES.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 3, 2000 FOR THE 1996-1998 MODEL VEHICLES AND ON OCTOBER 11, 2000, FOR THE 1999-2000 MODEL VEHICLES.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2000 Mercury Cougar. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

211 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2000 Mercury Cougar.

Electrical System

ODI #11287532

Incident: July 1, 2015 · Filed: December 6, 2019

TL* 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.

Exterior Lighting; Visibility/Wiper

ODI #10898974

Incident: March 15, 2016 · Filed: August 26, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE WINDOWS AND SUN ROOF INDEPENDENTLY ROLLED DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10864259

Incident: May 6, 2016 · Filed: May 10, 2016

TAKATA INFLATORSI HAVE A 2000. MERCURY. COGUAR. WHEN. I BOUGHT THE. CAR IT RAN TGOOD, THEN. IN 2014. I HAD TO. PAY 1000. TO GET A. FUEL PUMP PUT IN. AND. THAT ONLY LASTED. 2YRS. NOW THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT . I DON'T. HAVE. THAT KIND OF MONEY .I LIVE ON AS. WHEN I PAY MY BILLS I'M. BROKE. I LOOKED UP RECALLS. AND ITS THE FUEL SYSTEM ON THE CAR. IT JUST STOPS. EVEN IN TRAFFIC. I DON'T SEE WHAT MY CREDIT. HAS ANYTHING. TO DO WITH GETTING HELP. FIXING MY CAR IF IT HAS A RECALL. ON THE FUEL SYSTEM.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10863741

Incident: December 15, 2014 · Filed: May 7, 2016

HAVING SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL SYSTEMS. I HAVE PUT FUELPUT A NEW FUEL PUMP IN GAS TANK 2 YES. AGO. PUT FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR THIS YEAR. PUT NEW FUEL REGULATOR THIS YEAR NOW WHEN DRIVING IT WILL JUST STOP. AND WOULDN'T STARTUP

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10851327

Incident: February 1, 2016 · Filed: March 24, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL PUMP WOULD ONLY ALLOW 1-2 GALLONS TO ENTER THE FUEL TANK BEFORE SHUTTING OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Electrical System

ODI #10654389

Incident: November 3, 2014 · Filed: November 12, 2014

LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN GRIFFITH ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE ELECTRICAL SAFETY ISSUES WITH 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE CONSTANTLY EXPERIENCED WIRING/ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *JB

Electrical System

ODI #10584684

Incident: April 8, 2014 · Filed: April 24, 2014

TL* 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.

Electrical System

ODI #10525807

Fire

Incident: January 15, 2013 · Filed: July 19, 2013

TL* 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. *TR

Visibility/Wiper

ODI #10520903

Incident: April 1, 2013 · Filed: June 20, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUNROOF FAILED TO CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE SUNROOF ROLLERS HAD FAILED. THE SUNROOF WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

Service Brakes

ODI #10513499

Incident: May 22, 2013 · Filed: May 25, 2013

THE DRIVERS REAR METAL BRAKE LINE FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY ON THE HIGHWAY IN A PANIC STOP. THIS RESULTED IN COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE OF BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKES. *TR

Other Mercury Cougar model years

Check your 2000 Mercury Cougar VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mercury Cougar at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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