VehicleVerdict

1999 Mercury Cougar lighting problems

The 1999 Mercury Cougar has 42 lighting complaints filed with NHTSA — 6% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

42

Lighting complaints

6%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Lighting complaints by year

Cougar lighting complaints by model year42 complaints1987: 1 complaints1988: 3 complaints1989: 3 complaints1990: 5 complaints1991: 9 complaints1992: 28 complaints1993: 24 complaints1994: 4 complaints1995: 2 complaints1996: 1 complaints1997: 1 complaints1999: 42 complaints2000: 9 complaints2001: 2 complaints2002: 2 complaints
Cougar lighting complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

01V032000LightingFebruary 6, 2001 · 33,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH TERMINALS COULD OVERHEAT.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE EITHER A LOSS OF BRAKE LAMP FUNCTION OR CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED BRAKE LAMPS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Common questions

How many lighting complaints does the 1999 Mercury Cougar have?

NHTSA has 42 complaints about the 1999 Mercury Cougar lighting — 6% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1999 Mercury Cougar lighting?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the lighting: 01V032000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.