Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
03151408/04/20039910510003193The malfunction indicator lamp (mil) may be illuminated and diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p1380, p1381, p1383, and/or p0340 may be stored in memory. *tt10/10/2003
1435509/01/2000618630Information pertaining to duratec oil pan investigation. *jb04/18/2001
1346811/01/19996092221Some vehicles equipped with 2.0l engine may exhibit a timing belt shredding or timing belt striking the front cover. *tt11/28/2000
745111/01/1999610829Some vehicles equipped with 2.0l engine may exhibit a timing belt shredding or timing belt striking the front cover. *tt05/15/2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
1602807/01/2002636219Some vehicles equipped with a 2.5l engine may exhibit multiple misfire diagnostic trouble codes with no driveability concerns noted. *tt11/06/2002
0124612/10/2001630515Engine oil system priming procedures, service tips for reports of premature engine failure. *tt04/18/2002
021401/21/2002630001Some engine assemblies with aluminum cylinder heads repaired in-vehile have been found to leak coolant and/or oil from the cylinder head gasket area. *tt04/11/2002
0120510/15/2001627927Some vehicles may exhibit vacuum or air leaks in the intake manifold and / or engine system causing diagnostic trouble codes p0171 and or p0174. *tt02/26/2002
1440101/01/2000620436Some vehicles equipped with 2.5l engine may exhibit multiple misfire diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) with no driveability concern noted. *tt08/07/2001
014703/05/2001619424Subject regarding engine oil recommendations for use in 2001 vehicles - sae 5w-20 motor oil. *tt05/30/2001
0018609/04/2000618595Vehicles may experience no start condition when the wiper switch is in the intermittent or low-speed setting during vehicle start-up. *jb04/17/2001
011401/22/2001618069Experiencing a spark knock or pre-ignition condition on vehicles with an automatic or manual transmission during steady cruise driving or under light acceleration. *tt04/03/2001
1397503/01/2000612943Vehicles with 2.5l engine and built after may 25, 1999 may exhibit an intermittent hard / no start, rough idle or hesitation after a hot soak of approximately 30 minutes. *tt06/14/2000
1383001/01/2000612885Some vehicles equipped with a 2.5l engine and built after may 5, 1999 may exhibit an intermittent hard/no start, rough idle or hesitation after a hot soak of approxinately 30 minutes. *mjs06/13/2000
833403/01/2000612760Some vehicles equipped with a 2.5 engine and built after may 25, 1999 may exhibit an intermittent hard / no start, rough idle or hesitation after a hot soak of approximately 30 minutes. *tt06/12/2000
1338610/01/1999609662Information on investigating hard start / no start conditions accompanied by overfueling in ambients below 32f/0c, on vehicles with vct equipped 2.0l zetec engines. *tt04/05/2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM
1717409/01/200310004066Malfunction 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. *tt11/17/2003
0025212/11/2000616819On some vehicles, an objectionable exhaust, sulfur, or rotten egg odor following aggressive driving, such as full-throttle acceleration may occur. *tt03/13/2001
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
1539011/01/2001630408Some vehicles may exhibit a check engine light and/or egr diagnostic trouble codes 332, p0401, p1407 (lackof egr flow). *tt04/17/2002

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
07/18/20071030001
 The vehicle, 2000 mercury cougar, begins jerking as it is being driven at any speed, and results in complete shut down of engine. sometimes the engine will restart after waiting several minutes, and will not restart at times; requiring towing. i took the vehicle to the local dealer, and an employee stated that it was known by the manufacturer to be a design flaw in that year vehicle. another employee took him to the side and scoulded him for the disclosure. they would not discuss it further, even though i continued to question what they were doing to correct this known defect in workmanship. to this day the vehicle continued to repeat the same failure. i had the fuel filter replaced twice. finally a mechanic replaced the cam shaft sensor (he stated that he had seen this problem with the car many times) and knew that was the problem. even though the sensor was replaced, the car worked without shut down for approximately 4 months, but began the same sequence of shut downs all over again. the design flaw should be recalled or consumers should be reimbursed for purchase of a known defective vehicle by it's manufacturer and designer. it is a shame to get stuck with a lemon. thank you. *tr
07/19/20071100008
 Tl*the contact owns a 2000 mercury cougar. the contact stated that the fuel pump failed on her vehicle. ford informed her that a recall repair was previously performed on the vehicle. the contact went to the corporate ford office and was informed that the repair had not been performed. she also stated that the engine occasionally stalled and one of the struts failed during a test drive at 60 mph. the vehicle was eventually towed. the purchase date was unknown. the current mileage was 110,125 and failure mileage was 110,000.
07/08/200415
 After running for more than 10 minutes in a row engine will not restart for thirty or fourty minutes. brakes lose control in rain.*ak
06/26/2004590001
 While driving at 45 mph vehicle stalled. this caused the loss of steering and brakes. as result, consumer was involved a collision, where the vehicle was totaled. dealer notified. *ak
06/14/2004204/08/2000
 #1 i received a recall letter from ford in late april 2004 regard the fuel pump. i have had several problems with my 2000 cougar loosing power on incline for the past year or so. after i paid to have a new fuel pump i recieved the letter. they informed me that the new fuel pump would be out late may 2004, but i haven't heard from them as of date. *ak #2 everytime i drive my car for about 15 minutes or more, once i turn off the car, if i try to start it within 5 to 10 minutes it will not start. i have to wait at least 15 minutes. ford dealership repair cannot find a problem.
05/13/2004700001
 While driving vehicle stalled. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak
03/21/2004650002
 While driving/turning at 55 mph vehicle hesitated then stallled. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak
08/15/20038000
 Sickly sweet smell when air conditioner on. initially checked for possible fluid leakage from air conditioner. that was not it. later traced to toxic mold in a trapped area of the air conditioning path. dealer sprayed in fungicide which worked for a short while. on one occasion i got out of the car and into the house and could smell this sickly sweet smell on my breath. the day after i started coughing and it took 3 months of intensive medical to get it cleaned up. then i got another whiff and started coughing again. i discover this is a known problem, but not admitted. volvo runs a special drying cycle in their air conditioning to avoid this mold problem. i also hear mercedes has a similar problem.
06/15/200223000
 This car has intermittently shut down in traffic at 70 mph, also will not start from time to time. very unreliable transportation. incredibly poor choice of vehicle. key has electronic chip in it which malfunctions. key replaced once under warranty; went bad again. costs $400 to replace.
07/14/20031
 Problems with vehicle's engine stalling.*mr defective alarm system and window. invoice states that wrench light came on. *ts
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
01/16/20011911/01/2000
 Problems with odometer, gas gauge, turn signals,windows, radio, hazard lights, air bag lights, speedometer.*mr. the mileage and clock were no longer visible. a new battery and alternator were installed prior to the incident. the sun roof leaked constantly and was also fixed prior to the incident. the battery and wrench light were constantly illuminated. this vehicle had been repaired over and over again. consumer had to exit and barely made it home when she entered the driveway, the vehicle completely died. *ph. the air condition was not cold enough, the cigarette lighter was broke, the brakes made a grinding noise, the door locks/latches were inoperative, and the vehicle had a transmission leak. *jb
03/19/2002170001
 The engine stalled without warning. *jb
05/07/20011000025
 I have a 2000 mercury cougar that once warmed up accelerates 3000 to 3500 rpm and will not slow down until i come to a dead stop. i had it in for this problem at least 6 times and they can't fix it. i called the ford/mercury service hot line to see if something could be done about this. when i called about this i thought that a mercury rep. would get a hold of the car dealership were i got the car (johnson ford lincoln/ mercury in pittsfield, ma) and then get a hold of me. i called in jan. thats not what happened, when i called i found out that johnson ford told them, they did not experience the problem. that's an out right lie. dom kellog head of johnson service drove it and experienced it and on another time one of the mechanics riding with me also experienced it. what can i do about this. i can't let anybody drive my car, i am afraid they would not be able handle it an get seriously hurt. i don't want to wait until i get killed or some one else before they do something about it. please let me know what you or i can do about this. i am going to put down an estimate the first time it happened which was about 10000 mile mark the car now has about 23000 miles on it. *jb
01/01/20010
 Vehicle cut off without prior warning. dealership is aware of the problem.*ak
03/29/2000303/29/2000
 Consumer was driving e when vehicle stalled in front of a semi-ractor trailer. also, steering had locked up. had no warning prior to stalling. finally took vehicle to dealership & left it there. lights go dim and car wants to die/ doesn't want to go into second gear when starting off, and same thing is happening when trying to sift into fifth gear/passenger's tail light is coming loose/interior lights coming on. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
10/01/2002600002007/01/2000
 Problems with the transmission, when shifting into gear vehicle will shake violently. dealer was not contacted at the time of this call. ts
04/15/2001
 Vehicle stalled while driving.sometimes vehicle will restart. *ak
11/01/1999
 Engine would stall unexpected and lose control due to lack of power supplied for power steering and brakes, also experience hesitation.. *ak
03/26/200109/01/2000
 The vehicle would stall during driving at various speeds. within two days that i received the vehicle it stalled. electricals intact. mileage 102. dealer said most likely bad gas, call if happens again. at just over 7000 miles sometime in march it started bucking and then stalled at highway speed. after fifteen minutes it restarted. i was very dangerous situation as i was stuck on the span of a major bridge with no place to go.. for three weeks the dealership attempted to find the problem and finally blamed a fuel pump. one week later, at 55 mph, the car engine shut off with no warning, electricals appeared to work. car restarted about one minute later on first try. dealership blamed air conditioner, except i had not used air conditioner in the previous six months. they never figured it out and could not duplicate. after a nasty dealing with ford, my lawyer, and the florida lemon law i now drive a 2001 mercury deathtrap/cougar. *ak
10/26/2000
 While consumer was driving engine light came on, and then engine blew out. prior to engine stalling consumer took vehicle to valva line to get oil changed. once engine blewout, it was taken back to dealer. dealer said that shop was at fault. so manufacturer had an investigator to look over vehicle. conculsion was that it was a manufacturer's defect.*ak
10/02/200002/01/2000
 Defective oil pump caused smoke to come out of engine. *ak
09/07/2000310/01/1999
 Rising rpms when clutch engaged - rose to approx 7krpm and engine died 3x's within 1 mile. note, did not rise while in gear pressing gas only rose more.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM
02/08/2001210/01/2000
 Lights flickering, loss of electrical power, alternator needs replacement part, emission system malfunction, malfunctioning ignition. received poor service from dealer.*ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL
08/13/200511/03/2004
 Dt: 2000 mercury cougar. the consumer found recall 01v031000 for the electric battery and alternator. the battery has been replaced three times in the last week, and the alternator has been replaced once. however, problem recurred. . when she contacted mercury they stated this vehicle was not included in the recall due to vin. the vehicle will start. but when she turned on the air conditioner or radio the vehicle stalled. both the battery and alternator have been checked to see if they were the problem. two mechanics stated the battery and alternator were fine. it was an electrical problem. the emission system light on the vehicle kept coming on. ford stated they knew of this problem and that could be checked. *ak
09/20/200340000100
 Vehicle will stall and then lose power while driving or hesitating. then jerk forward while idling. there is no warning when either of these failures occur. the fuel pump/massive flow sensor were replaced twice, but failures recurred. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
01/20/2005640001
 While driving 55 mph driver heard a loud knocking noise coming from the front. driver noticed fluid leaking from underneath the vehicle. driver took vehicle to a garage for inspection, and mechanic determined that intake manifold needed to be replaced. *ak