2000 Mercury Cougar
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 211
- Recalls
- 5
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Electrical system
Campaigns on file for 2000
None on file
35% of complaints
Complaints per year
2000: 211 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 2 |
| 1981 | 0 |
| 1982 | 2 |
| 1983 | 2 |
| 1984 | 17 |
| 1985 | 10 |
| 1986 | 13 |
| 1987 | 33 |
| 1988 | 55 |
| 1989 | 84 |
| 1990 | 86 |
| 1991 | 73 |
| 1992 | 92 |
| 1993 | 198 |
| 1994 | 145 |
| 1995 | 109 |
| 1996 | 62 |
| 1997 | 76 |
| 1998 | 1 |
| 1999 | 454 |
| 2000 | 211 |
| 2001 | 82 |
| 2002 | 95 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Electrical system
35% · 74 reportsMost commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator and cables.
Show complaint excerpts
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).
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-07-19
The car would stall without warning one time leaving me in the middle of a busy intersection. This time on a slight hill I sat stalled with hazard lights & headlights on but got rear ended by a motorist traveling 50 MPH.
NHTSA ODI report, 2004-04-09
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-09-01
Fuel system, gasoline
19% · 40 reportsMost commonly citing fuel pump and tank assembly.
Engine and engine cooling
12% · 26 reportsMost commonly citing gasoline and engine.
Air bags
8% · 17 reportsMost commonly citing frontal and side/window.
Show complaint excerpts
I was in a minor mva in which the airbags both deployed. Damage to my vehicle was cosmetic but I haven't been the same since.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-01-28
Airbags came out while I was driving. Had previously visited dealership 4 times about engine check light.
NHTSA ODI report, 2000-09-18
Involved in a collision in which the driver's and passenger's air bags did not deploy, also, driver seat belt did not lock up, upon impact.
NHTSA ODI report, 2000-05-03
Also filed under Seat belts
Visibility
8% · 16 reportsMost commonly citing sun/moon roof assembly and power window devices and controls.
Safety timeline
5 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2000Complaint volume 211 complaints filed for this model year.
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2000-10-11Service brakes, hydraulic00V075000 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…
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.
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2001-03-22Electrical system01V031000 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…
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…
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2004-04-16Fuel system, gasoline04V421000 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…
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2006-03-20Service brakes, hydraulic06E022000 Certain aftermarket brake hydraulic master cylinders sold as replacement brake cylinders for certain Ford, daimlerchrysler, and Jeep passenger vehicles. These brake cylinders were sold under the…
Remedy: Affinia (Brake parts, inc.) will replace the subject brake hydraulic master cylinders free of charge. The recall began on March 20, 2006. Owners can contact affina group customer service at…
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2008-05-22Suspension08E033000 Federal mogul is recalling 6,903 aftermarket ball joint assemblies shipped between November 9, 2007 and March 26, 2008, which may have been packaged with incorrect nuts. The part numbers packaged…
Remedy: Federal mogul will notify owners and replace the parts free of charge. The recall began on May 22, 2008. Owners can contact federal mogul at 877-489-6659.
Buy-smart checklist
2000 Mercury Cougar — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Electrical system: 74 reports on file for this year.
- Fuel system, gasoline: 40 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 26 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 00V075000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 01V031000 · Electrical system
- Recall 04V421000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 06E022000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 08E033000 · Suspension
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2000 Mercury Cougar reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2000 Mercury Cougar is rated "significantly worse".
- What are the most common problems with the 2000 Mercury Cougar?
- The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 35% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2000 Mercury Cougar have?
- 5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.