Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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).
To whom it May concern: (management) I was driving on a residential street and was honked at by another driver who told me that my brakes lights were not working. I had a friend of mine that is a certified repair person look at it and he said it wasn't the light or the fuse or the brake switch under the pedal and that he was 95% sure it was the stop lamp extension harness that has bronze terminals at the brake lamp switch connector. I bought this car in 2004 and under a recall had the blower switch resistor repaired under the recall. The reason the recalls for this car are not showing up is because the recalls are more than 15 years old & they don't keep track after that. I have never had this problem with this car before but I have had over $9,000 worth of repairs on it since I've owned it not including the normal oil changes and tune up. …
I also own a 99 Cougar and have had nothing but issues, but I love the way the car drives when it works correctly. I have also replaced the alternator and it's also on its 5th window motor, which still does not work correctly. I have replaced almost every sensor possible, too. Of course when I have questioned Mercury on these issues, they claim that it's not a common problem with the cougars. I have heard from others on the tire issues, but luckily mine has not had any issues with tires. The newest issue with mine is the headlamps. I was in some heavy rain water in the beginning of oct. 2006 and they leaked and had puddles inside of them. I took it to be serviced by Mercury and I have not had my car back for 3.5 months! In talking with Ford I have found out that they have not made any headlamps for the 99 Cougar since jan. 2006 and they are on a nation wide backorder. …
Dt: contact owns a 1999 Mercury Cougar. He has been looking on the internet and found recalls 04v4210000, 04v4210000,1v0320000, and 01v0310000 . He called the manufacturer, and they told him that this vehicle was not included in these recalls due to VIN although the contact's vehicle experienced the same failure as described in aforementioned recalls. While driving and accelerating the vehicle surged. He had not noticed this when the cruise control was on. But, noticed this immediately after purchasing the vehicle from an auction on 9-18-05. Also, the left rear tail lamp blew out three times in a short time frame. He bought the extended life bulbs, but they still blew out. However, some of the lights worked on the dashboard. . The engine light did not come on when he first started the vehicle. The contact noticed this 10-04-05.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Mercury Cougar. While driving 45 MPH, the exterior lights became dim. The exterior lights also dimmed immediately when the contact began driving. The failure occurred intermittently. The headlights and instrument panel lights also flickered and dimmed, but then illuminated to full capacity. The failure is directly related to NHTSA campaign id number 01V031000 (electrical system:battery:cables); however, the dealer stated that the VIN was not included. The current mileage was 80,000 and failure mileage was 79,700.
Dt*: the contact stated the exterior brake lights did not illuminate at all, causing the vehicle to nearly get rear-ended while braking from traveling 70 MPH. The vehicle was taken to a private repair shop, who determined that the wiring harness needed replacement due to a short circuit. There was a NHTSA recall #01V032000 pertaining to the brake light switch. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. Secondly, the engine hesitated while warming up, accompanied by a rough idle. The vehicle was not seen by a mechanic.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Mercury Cougar. The contact stated that the brake lights failed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the brake lamp switch was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any recalls since the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 01V032000 (exterior lighting ). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 110,000 and the current mileage was 112,000.
My car is a lemon. Have had a new engine put in it 2 times because the rods spun. I have had the brake lights "fixed" 3 times, the alternator replaced 3 times, new catalytic converters twice. New power steering. Transmission done 3 times. Theres definantly more I just cant think of alllllll my repairs on this 1999 Cougar. I bought it used and it has now 98000 miles cause I drive out of state.
I got in my car one day after work in the parking lot and started my car and my airbag light was on. It stayed on for three days and is no longer on. It seems like no one wants to take account or provide solutions for the problem. Everytime I roll up my windows, my lights dim as if the battery is dying. My windshield wiper control doesn't shut off and im not able to change the speed.
NHTSA campaign id number 01V032000. Ford motor company had a recall for the exterior lighting: brake lights: switch. Even though my vehicle had the same issues as the vehicles under the recall. They will not honor. October 30, 2001 I had the brake switch and jumper harness replaced. Due to the malfunction of my exterior brake lamps
The vehicle would not shift out of gear when the brake were being applied. Also, the rear brake light illuminated. The dealer was notified. The dealer informed the consumer that the vehicle was not covered under a recall. The switch had become hot and melted plastic from the housing around metal connector prone.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The brake lamp switch terminals could overheat.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new stop lamp extension harness with bronze terminals at the brake lamp switch connector, and also inspect the brake lamp switch for signs of overheating and replace, as required.
Headlight complaints in other Cougar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 1999 Mercury Cougar?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the lights of the 1999 Mercury Cougar, 8% of the model year's 454 complaints. The component named most often is brake lights (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Mercury Cougar headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 01V-032 (switch, Feb 6, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Mercury Cougar headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles.
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.