Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Hydraulic pump went out on my Cougar - I had no brakes whatsoever! Luckily, this happened at night with no traffic, so I was able to stop the vehicle by downshifting and using the emergency brake. Had only had the car for a little over a year.
Ten minutes after having the brakes replaced and while driving 30 MPH consumer applied the brake pedal and the brakes failed, causing a collision with a woman. No one was injured. The vehicle was towed to a body shop.
Vehicle lost power while driving down highway. Replaced the battery and took to shop to have alternator and whatever else looked at. Mechanic could not find anything wrong. Battery light still flashing. I'm scared this will happen again and leave me stranded. Also have had same electrical problems (power windows) as everyone else, as well as spending $600 on brakes, and trunk latch won't work. Radio works off and on. Also had to replace bumper as it was ripped off while pulling out of parking space. (not negligenc).
While driving at 55-60 MPH consumer turned on air conditioner, then smelled smoke. Turned air conditioner off. Went to pull over, and brakes had failed. When vehicle came to stop, consumer opened hood and saw flames. Put fire out, and had vehicle towed to dealer. Dealer stated that starter had caused fire and replaced starter.
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. …
This is the second time I filed a complaint, I have heard nothing back ! I started having problems with the braking system its bumping the gas pedal up and down when trying to stop which in turn caused me to be in a car crash in December 2006 in clinton county, ohio. There is a recall and it needs to be fixed asap~! I also feel that someone should contact my home phone listed on contact form and let me know what's going on with this mess~! You can drive the dumb car and see what I am talking about for all I care, just please contact me either by phone or by email at least . Thank you very much for your time.
Brake line corroded by battery acid and broke, resulting in a sudden loss of brake function and subsequent collision with vehicle that stopped ahead. Brake combination valve located in front of battery. All the brake lines run past the battery from the master cylinder and to the wheels and are fully protected by a plastic coating except the line to the left front wheel. On this line the plastic coating starts at the valve and stops just to the right of the battery. The line broke at the point where the coating stops and is heavily corroded by battery acid for several inches. I am a mechanical engineer investigating this accident for allstate insurance company and would be happy to provide you with a copy of my report.
We have numerous complaints with this vehicle. One of which is the brakes. Another is the cooling system. There is a recall on the manifold but our local Ford dealer wlll not replace even though we have asked them to do so. In addition the engine had a problem which no one could figure out.
Related recalls (1)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercury Cougar years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1999 (77), 1995 (40), 1997 (12), 2000 (12) and 1996 (6) model years. Brake complaints make up 17% of all complaints for the 1999.
Is there a recall for Mercury Cougar brake problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 00V-075 (foundation components, Mar 9, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mercury Cougar brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles; 40% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the foundation components (45 mentions), followed by the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (30).
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.