Engine
2.0L 4-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 366 of 454 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 126 of 454 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Electrical system
110 complaint records2 fire reports1 crash report
"VEHICLE WILL ONLY GO INTO REVERES GEAR. DEALER INDICATED THIS WAS CAUSED BY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ELECTRICAL FAILURE.*AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →
Brakes
91 complaint records5 crash reports
"WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE INTO REVERSE AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THERE IS A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse brakes parts in the directory →
Engine & cooling
76 complaint records1 fire report5 crash reports
"WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE STALLED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE OIL PUMP INSTALLED ON VEHICLE, MASSIVE OIL LEAKAGE DUE TO FAILURE. *SLC..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA01001 opened Jan 2001 | closed Jul 2001 | Electrical System | BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS - led to recall 01V230000 There is no summary currently available |
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04V421000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 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. | Normally free |
| 01V230000 | Electrical System | ON CERTAIN MY 1996-1998 PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY, CUAUTITLAN ASSEMBLY PLANTS OR ON MY 1999 PASSENGER VEHCLES BUILT AT THE AUTOMOTIVE ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY PLANTS, THE ROUGH SURFACE OF THE... | Normally free |
| 01V032000 | Exterior Lighting | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH TERMINALS COULD OVERHEAT. | Normally free |
| 01V031000 | Electrical System | 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. | Normally free |
| 00V075000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 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... | Normally free |
| 99V226000 | Latches/Locks/Linkages | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DOOR LATCH MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH A LATCH PAWL THAT HAS A COATING WHICH WILL SWELL IN HIGH HUMIDITY CONDITIONS. | Normally free |
| 99V194000 | Vehicle Speed Control | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH A BURR ON OR NEAR THE END OF THE CABLE SLEEVE INTERIOR. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001042 2001-02-21 | Electrical | 8,036 | On certain vehicles, a misrouted battery cable to the alternator could contact the metal tubing that is part of the power steering line. This could eventually wear the insulation and result in an electrical short. |
| 2001043 2001-02-06 | Lights And Instruments | 2,280 | On certain vehicles, the brass terminals in the stop lamp extension harness connector at the brake lamp switch are inadequate to handle the current required by the two stop lamp filaments on each side of the vehicle. |
| 2000077 2000-03-21 | Brakes | 43,458 | On certain vehicles, the pressure conscious reducing valve (PCRV) in each of the rear brakes may be subject to malfunction due to corrosion when operated in areas of high road salt use. |
| 1999157 1999-08-27 | Structure | 1,024 | On certain vehicles, the door latch pawl has a coating which will swell in high humidity conditions. In some cases, the latch pawl may stick in the open or unattached position due to this swelling. |
| 1999139 1999-07-27 | Engine | 17,214 | On certain vehicles, the accelerator cable may have been manufactured with a burr on or near the end of the cable sleeve interior. |
Show 1 more Canadian recalls
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998234 1998-11-23 | Emissions | 1,236 | Certain vehicles may not comply with CMVSS 1105 - evaporative emissions. The rear fuel lines may allow fuel to seep and evaporate at the metal line to nylon tube joint at the rear of the vehicle near the fuel filter. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 042107 Dec 2004 | Power Train | GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT | |
| 04217 Nov 2004 | Power Train | GENERAL POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT | |
| 041514 Aug 2004 | Visibility | REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR. *TT | |
| 041516 Aug 2004 | Electrical System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE(S) P0420 AND/OR P0430. *TT | |
| 031501 Jul 2004 | Visibility | INOPERATIVE ELECTRIC REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER (HEATED BACKLITE) GRID LINES, INTEGRAL ANTENNA CONCERNS. *TT |
Show 55 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04104 May 2004 | Electrical System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0420 AND/OR P0430/ 2.5L ENGINE ONLY. *TT | |
| 04N02 May 2004 | Fuel System | ENGINE HESITATION, LOSS OF POWER, SURGING, AND OTHER SIMILAR SYMPTOMS AS A RESULT OF CONTAMINATION OF THE FUEL PUMP. THIS PROGRAM EXTENDS THE COVERAGE OF THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM). *TT *MJ | |
| 041814 Jan 2004 | Steering | STEERING COLUMN SHIPPED WITHOUT CRUSH PAD - REUSE ORIGINAL CRUSH PAD IF NOT DAMAGED. *TT | |
| 03203 Oct 2003 | Electrical System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P0442, P0455, P0456, P0457 OR P1442 OR A CHECK FUEL CAP LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DTC P0457 FOR THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM. *TT | |
| 03181 Sep 2003 | Electrical System | REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT | |
| 17174 Sep 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0171/P0174 OR P1072/P0175 STORED IN MEMORY OR AS HARD FAULTS. HESITATION, LACK OF POWER OR RUNS ROUGH CONDITION. *TT | |
| 031514 Aug 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) MAY BE ILLUMINATED AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P1380, P1381, P1383, AND/OR P0340 MAY BE STORED IN MEMORY. *TT | |
| 03148 Jul 2003 | Power Train | NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER - SERVICE TIPS. 2003 ESCORT AND SUPER DUTY F SERIES INCLUDED. *TT | |
| 0398 May 2003 | Fuel System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATION WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0442, P0455, P0456, P0457, P1442 OR CHECK FUEL CAP LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0457. *TT | |
| 02208 Oct 2002 | Equipment | CLIMATE CONTROL A/C SERVICE TECH TIPS. *EH | |
| 02176 Sep 2002 | Exterior Lighting | LAMP-BRAKE-INVADVERTENT DISABLING OF BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK. *MJ | |
| 16028 Jul 2002 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT MULTIPLE MISFIRE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES WITH NO DRIVEABILITY CONCERNS NOTED. *TT | |
| 15828 Apr 2002 | Electrical System | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE B1213, B1342, B1601, B2431. *TT | |
| 15830 Apr 2002 | Electrical System | BATTERY LAMP ON, HOWEVER THE CHARGING SYSTEM IS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. *TT | |
| 0245 Mar 2002 | Electrical System | INFORMATION REGARDING DISCHARGED BATTERY CHARGING SERVICE TIPS AND GUIDELINES. *TT | |
| 0246 Mar 2002 | Steering | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT COMPLAINTS OF FALSE ALARM ACTIVATION OFTHE PERIMETER ANTI-THEFT ALARM OR BEING INOPERATIVE. *TT | |
| 0224 Feb 2002 | Power Train | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE CD4E TRANSAXLE MAY EXHIBIT HARSH AND DELAYED 1-2/2-3 UPSHIFTS AFTER TRANSAXLE OR TURBINE SHAFT SPEED SENSOR REPLACEMENT, POSSIBLE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES 628, 642, 645, 646, 647, 648, P0731, P0732, P0734, P0741 AND P01744. *TT | |
| 15636 Feb 2002 | Exterior Lighting | CONCERN WITH HEADLAMPS AND/OR INSTRUMENT PANEL LAMPS DIMMING SLIGHTLY AT IDLE. *TT | |
| 0214 Jan 2002 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME ENGINE ASSEMBLIES WITH ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEADS REPAIRED IN-VEHILE HAVE BEEN FOUND TO LEAK COOLANT AND/OR OIL FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET AREA. *TT | |
| 15241 Jan 2002 | Suspension | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A NOISE THAT APPEARS TO COME FROM THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. *TT | |
| 15538 Jan 2002 | Service Brakes | SUBJECT ON BRAKE FLUID LEAK. *YH | |
| 01246 Dec 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE OIL SYSTEM PRIMING PROCEDURES, SERVICE TIPS FOR REPORTS OF PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE. *TT | |
| 01224 Nov 2001 | Unknown Or Other | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CONDITION WHERE THE DEFROSTER GRILLE EDGES LIFT OUT OF THE DASH PAD. *TT | |
| 15390 Nov 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND/OR EGR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES 332, P0401, P1407 (LACKOF EGR FLOW). *TT | |
| 01205 Oct 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT VACUUM OR AIR LEAKS IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND / OR ENGINE SYSTEM CAUSING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0171 AND OR P0174. *TT | |
| 01181 Sep 2001 | Power Train | BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK.*JB | |
| 15241 Sep 2001 | Suspension | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A NOISE THAT APPEARS TO COME FROM THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. *TT | |
| 15257 Sep 2001 | Unknown Or Other | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT THE DEFROSTER VENT EDGES LIFTING OUT OF THE DASH PAD. *TT | |
| 01162 Aug 2001 | Exterior Lighting | SOME VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO 22-SEP-2000, MAY EXHIBIT THE BRAKE LAMPS STAYING ON. *SLC | |
| 01156 Aug 2001 | Visibility | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC | |
| 01157 Aug 2001 | Unknown Or Other | INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC | |
| 15183 Aug 2001 | Exterior Lighting | INFORMATION REGARDING COUGAR HEADLAMP PARTING LINE, WHICH RESULTS FROM THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS AND CAN BE SEEN DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE TURN SIGNAL FUNCTION FROM THE TOP TO THE BOTTOM. *YD | |
| 15197 Aug 2001 | Structure | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CONCERN OF BACKLITE/HATCHBACK MOLDINGS BECOMING LOOSE. *JG | |
| 15065 Jul 2001 | Visibility | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A/C DISCHARGE AIR TEMPERATURES DIFFERENCES OF GREATER THAN 10 DEGREES F FROM REGISTERS ON LEFT SIDE OF DASH THAN ON RIGHT. *TT | |
| 01M04 Jun 2001 | Fuel System | IN THE VEHICLES COVERED BY THE ADDITIONAL COVERAGE PROGRAM, THE FUEL PIPE FLAPPER VALVE MAY STICK WHICH COULD RESULT IN SLOW FILL AND FREQUENT FUEL FILLER NOZZLE SHUT-OFF. *TT | |
| 14971 Jun 2001 | Fuel System | SOME VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 02-01-2001 MAY EXHIBIT THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR INTERMITTENTLY DROPPING TO EMPTY WITHFUEL IN THE TANK. *TT | |
| 0162 Apr 2001 | Electrical System | VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH PASSIVE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM (PATS) MAY NOT START OR CRANK. *TT | |
| 14837 Apr 2001 | Fuel System | INFORMATION ON VEHICLES EXHIBITING A FUEL LEVEL INDICATION INTERMITTENTLY DROPPING TO EMPTY WITH FUEL IN THE FUEL TANK. *TT | |
| 0147 Mar 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SUBJECT REGARDING ENGINE OIL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USE IN 2001 VEHICLES - SAE 5W-20 MOTOR OIL. *TT | |
| 0135 Feb 2001 | Electrical System | SOME VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH SIDE AIRBAGS MAY EXHIBIT A CONDITION WHERE THE AIRBAG WARNING LAMP IS ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) U2017 AND / OR U2018. *TT | |
| 0114 Jan 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | EXPERIENCING A SPARK KNOCK OR PRE-IGNITION CONDITION ON VEHICLES WITH AN AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSION DURING STEADY CRUISE DRIVING OR UNDER LIGHT ACCELERATION. *TT | |
| 14596 Jan 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | EXHIBITING ONE OR MULTIPLE STUDS BREAK ON EXHAUST FLANGES. *JB | |
| 00265 Dec 2000 | Service Brakes | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REAR DISC BRAKES MAY EXHIBIT A MOANING / GROANING NOISE ON INITIAL BRAKE APPLICATION (COLD SOAK). *TT | |
| 00252 Dec 2000 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ON SOME VEHICLES, AN OBJECTIONABLE EXHAUST, SULFUR, OR ROTTEN EGG ODOR FOLLOWING AGGRESSIVE DRIVING, SUCH AS FULL-THROTTLE ACCELERATION MAY OCCUR. *TT | |
| 00256 Dec 2000 | Electrical System | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A V6 ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A FLICKERING CONDITION OF THE HEADLAMP, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, RADIO, AND INTERIOR LIGHTS DURING ENGINE START-UP AND MAY CONTINUE DURING THE FIRST SEVERAL MINUTES OF ENGINE IDLE. *TT | |
| 14516 Dec 2000 | Fuel System | INFORMATION ON IMPROVED FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET. *TT | |
| 14542 Dec 2000 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT ONE OR MULTIPLE THREADED STUDS BREAK ON THE EXHAUST FLANGES. THIS MAY BE NOTED BY A RATTLING NOISE, EXHAUST LEAK OR A SCRAPING NOISE WHEN DRIVING. *TT | |
| 14491 Nov 2000 | Suspension | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TT | |
| 14475 Nov 2000 | Service Brakes | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES (ABS) MAY EXHIBIT AN ABS LIGHT ON CONDITION DIAGNOSED AS RELATED TO THE WHEEL SPEED SENSORS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS INVESTIGATING. *TT | |
| 00186 Sep 2000 | Engine And Engine Cooling | VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE NO START CONDITION WHEN THE WIPER SWITCH IS IN THE INTERMITTENT OR LOW-SPEED SETTING DURING VEHICLE START-UP. *JB | |
| 00S03 Sep 2000 | Service Brakes | SAFETY RECALL PERTAINING TO BRAKE PRESSURE CONTROL REDUCING VALVE REPLACEMENT. *JB | |
| 00182 Sep 2000 | Power Train | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT NO FORWARD GEAR RANGES DUE TO THE MISALIGNMENT OF THE FORWARD / COAST CLUTCH CYLINDER SNAP RING WITH RESPECT TO THE LEGS OF THE FORWARD CLUTCH PISTON. *JB | |
| 14355 Sep 2000 | Engine And Engine Cooling | INFORMATION PERTAINING TO DURATEC OIL PAN INVESTIGATION. *JB | |
| 14376 Sep 2000 | Service Brakes | VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DISC BRAKES MAY EXHIBIT A REAR DISC BRAKE MOAN / GROAN NOISE. *JB | |
| 14183 Jun 2000 | Equipment | SOME VECHILES EQUIPPED WITH 4500N CASSETTE RADIOS MAY EXHIBIT A CONDITION WHERE THE RADIO COMES BACK ON AFTER THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF WHILE PLAYING CASSETTES. *TT |
Showing 60 of 229 distinct bulletins on file for this vehicle.
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
- Brake hard once from speed on an empty road.A pull to one side, a pulsing pedal, a pedal that sinks at a stop, or an ABS light that stays lit are the brake complaints on this vehicle presenting themselves.
- Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 7 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Mercury Cougar →