Headlight complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Headlamps flicker- when my headlamps ,"flicker", they get so dim that I am concerned I will not see items in the path of my moving vehicle. I have had two near misses; one with an animal at large, the other much more serious, and a pedestrian in a crosswalk. The alternator replacement was done 2 times, battery replacement done once. When I brought it to the attention of my service advisor at Ford he stated that this is only a bulletin because it is not considered to be a safety issue since the lights do not go completely out. My children whom ride in this car and the pedestrian that I could not see would deem this a major safety concern right along with myself and other passengers who have experienced this problem in my vehicle. I only drive my car after dark because I have no other car.
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.
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. …
Related recalls (1)
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercury Cougar years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1999 (37) and 2000 (8) model years. Headlight complaints make up 8% of all complaints for the 1999.
Is there a recall for Mercury Cougar headlight problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 01V-032 (switch, Feb 6, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mercury Cougar headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 106,000 miles; 13% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the headlights (14 mentions), followed by the brake lights (10).
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.