Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Mercury Cougar owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The lights on the interior and exterior of my car have been flickering since I purchased the car from an individual a few years ago. Last week I smelled burning wires while driving and me and my husband pulled off the road and he investigated the problem as to where the smell was coming from. He noticed the battery cables were hot and melted insulation on them at the battery posts. Now instead of a flickering alternator light,headlights,and dash lights, I have an alternator light that stays on and everything else is still flickering. We took the car to a mechanic because the car quit running,apparently because the battery went dead. They replaced the battery and the alternator which cost me 320.00. I still have flickering lights and the alternator light is still on. …
My car stalled while in the middle of a busy intersection while in motion. Later find out that I need a new fuel pump. Was not aware it was under recall. Paid to have it fixed in July of 2009. Repair shop failed to put my VIN, mileage, and correct year of vehicle on invoice resulting in not being able to get my money back from Ford. Recall was good through January 31, 2010. My car once again stalled while at a stop light sparks and small flames when attempting to start after stalling. Electrical problem, and Ford is doing nothing about it. I replaced the battery and still no crank or clicking. Also listed as a recall. Spend $651.02 to have fuel pump fixed and now can't get my money back because repair shop did not fill out invoice correctly. Now will have to possibly pay over a $1,000.00 to fix the electrical issue... …
Tl contact owns a 2000 Mercury Cougar. While driving approximately 45 MPH on normal road conditions, the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. There was a moderate loss of power in the vehicle and a burning odor. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop and they stated that the failure was related to the alternator battery cable. The vehicle was repaired. Recently,the contact observed an excessively high temperature reading from the voltage of the alternator. On three separate occasions, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for the identical failures. There were no resolutions. The contact experienced failures identical to the ones mentioned in NHTSA campaign id number 01V031000 (electrical system:battery:cables). The failure mileage was 62,000 and current mileage was 68,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Mercury Cougar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the battery warning light illuminated on the instrument panel and there was burning odor emitted inside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for a diagnostic test. The mechanic stated that the battery and alternator would have replaced. The failure occurred a second time after the repair. The vehicle was not taken back to be repaired again. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number 01V031000 (electrical system:battery:cables), that May be related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
Tl* 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.
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.
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.
Alternator in my 2000 Mercury Cougar failed for the third time. The car is now out of warranty and I am stuck with the bill. Failure was followed by smoking in the engine compartment which steadily increased, small fire evolved soon afterward. Was able to put it out with a bottle of coke (a brand that has never let me down). I was assured by the dealership that this issue was taken care of some time ago. I have hated this car for all of its problems and have successfully steered people away from Ford products. I will never purchase another domestic vehicle for as long as I live.
Tl 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.
I have a 2000 Mercury Cougar that I bought brand new and has been service faithfully by a dealership. But recently in the past 2 months there have been 3 alternators put on my car all resulting from the same problem. The console lights flicker and dim, the headlights flicker and dim, the battery light flashes and eventually it stays lighted and the gauges zero out and the car shuts down starting with the radio and eventually the light goes out and the car dies. This has happened 3 times to me within the past month all while driving in lot's of traffic. The last time I was able to pull over to a parking lot. I've seen that there are many other Cougar owners with the same year as mine that are continuously having the same problem over and over. Why? A brand new car should not be doing this and to completely break down in rush hour traffic is definitely horrifying. …
Related recalls
Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery › Cables
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.
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…
Electrical complaints in other Cougar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2000 Mercury Cougar?
NHTSA has 63 complaints about the electrical system of the 2000 Mercury Cougar, 30% of the model year's 211 complaints. The component named most often is alternator/generator/regulator (20 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Mercury Cougar electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 01V-031 (cables, Feb 6, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2000 Mercury Cougar electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 9 fires and 1 injury to electrical 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.