Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Mercury Cougar owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Mercury Cougar. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact also stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was able to start after several attempts, however the vehicle failed after the contact drove for a couple of miles. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the alternator and fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 01V031000 (electrical system) or 04V421000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.
I was commuting to work in mountainous terrain and while traveling uphill, the car lost power and then the engine quit completely. I was barely able to roll the car out of the highway before another vehicle approached the blind curve from my rear and swerved to avoid the broken down car and myself. I conducted an internet search after finally getting the car restarted and returning to home that evening and discovered that Ford motor co. Had initiated a program to alleviate the symptoms the car was experiencing. Although the car behaved exactly as described under the manufacturers description of potential problems(including surging, hesitation, loss of power, and engine stalling), I was told after contacting the selling dealer and Ford that my car did not qualify for any assistance because it fell outside of the production window of the vehicles they had identified as having similar …
I am the owner of a 1999 Mercury Cougar. I purchased the vechicle new and have maintained all service requirements. At this point, the vechicle still has less than 45,000 miles (I do not drive all that much). However, since purchasing this car I have had to replace twice the alternator and battery, all the brakes, tires, and now the fuel pump has gone out. I understand that there is a recall on the fuel pumps, so I contacted Ford, but they informed me that my Cougar is not in among those on the list. However, my car has the exact symptoms that are listed by Ford; it stalls and will not run. In Ford's statement, they indicate that they will replace the failed fuel pump, but they are not willing to do that for me. Becuase of this failed fuel pump situation, I have had to have my car towed twice and have been stuck in some very inclement winter weather situations. …
Yes, I purchased my vehicle in July of 2017. When I test drove the vehicle, everything seemed perfectly fine. Yet, the day I received it, I went to the gas station to fill up. Upon returning home, 1 mile., the engine light came on. I was told by the seller all was perfectly fine. Drive the car, it will be fine. I was concerned and I took the vehicle to my mechanic. After running some diagnostic tests, I was told I needed a catalyic converter, repairs over $1500.00. I was reading the recalls for this vehicle and came across campaign id# NHTSA 04V421000. The recall was for contamination of the filter I the fuel delivery mode(fdm) can reduce and eventually block, the flow of fuel to the engine. In which, can cause many problems. I have those problems with the vehicle. Upon starting, it revives up, then eventually slows down and almost kills. It sounds as if no gas is getting to the engine. …
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 own a 1999 Mercury Cougar. I just bought the car in January of 2003 with 32,000 miles on the car. Two weeks after purchasing the car the alternator died, which is a common problem with this car, and the dealership replaced the alternator. But two or three weeks after that, my power sunroof broke, which is also a very common problem, and because the car was not under warranty anymore it cost me over $1200.00 with labor to fix. I have since learned that there are many Cougar owners that have had the sunroof break because the 1999 and 2000 cougars were made with plastic rails that easily break. The 2001 and 2002 cougars were made with metal rails and work fine. …
Tl* 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
Recall campaign 04V421000 concerning fuel system gasoline. Delivery. I am experiencing these exact problems, which are believed to be present also, by my local dealer, where I showed the car to a Mercury trained mechanic. However, Ford/Mercury (ron bluestein/Ford executive offices, id # 2170, phone [phone]) refused to cover repairs due to VIN .I strongly disagree and fell that my car's safety was in question. On certain passenger vehicles, contamination of the filter in the fuel delivery module (fdm) could reduce, and eventually block the flow of fuel to the engine. This May cause engine hesitation, loss of power, surging, and other similar symptoms. Sometime, the filter May become sufficiently blocked to cause the engine to stall, which could result in a crash.
Tl 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.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Mercury Cougar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The contact inspected under the hood and tightened the battery cable. The vehicle restarted and resumed normally. The failure recurred upon reaching the residence. In addition, a strong odor of fuel emitted inside of the vehicle with a small amount of leakage on the ground. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id numbers 04V421000 ( fuel system, gasoline) and 01V031000 (electrical system). The VIN was not included in either recall. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer but had not been diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline
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.
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…
Fuel System complaints in other Cougar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 1999 Mercury Cougar?
NHTSA has 46 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1999 Mercury Cougar, 10% of the model year's 454 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Mercury Cougar fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-421 (fuel system, gasoline, Aug 30, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Mercury Cougar fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.