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 PER YEAR
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.
35% of complaints: electrical system — 74 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator and cables.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow 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, 20130719
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, 20040409
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, 20030901
19% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 40 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing fuel pump and tank assembly.
FIRE12% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 26 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.
CRASH INJURY8% of complaints: air bags — 17 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.
CRASH INJURYShow 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, 20030128
AIRBAGS CAME OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING. HAD PREVIOUSLY VISITED DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES ABOUT ENGINE CHECK LIGHT. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20000918
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. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20000503
Also filed under SEAT BELTS
8% of complaints: visibility — 16 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing sun/moon roof assembly and power window devices and controls.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
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.
Campaign 00V075000 — check if this car was fixed
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 COUL
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 ROUTIN
Campaign 01V031000 — check if this car was fixed
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 AT
Campaign 04V421000 — check if this car was fixed
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 BRAN
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 1-800-32
Campaign 06E022000 — check if this car was fixed
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 WIT
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.
Campaign 08E033000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2000 Mercury Cougar — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (74 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (40 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (26 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 00V075000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 01V031000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04V421000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E022000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08E033000 (suspension) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
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 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.