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Info on 99+ V6 Cougars?

2K views 21 replies 16 participants last post by  Rikenbomb 
#1 ·
Looking at possibly getting one for my gf as her next daily driver.

How reliable are these cars?
Any common problems?
 
#3 ·
Originally posted by: Fearthisescort
um... comon problems alternators, fuel pumps(there is a recall) irmc, sunroof(for god sake, do not open it)
reliable, but as most cars it does have its streaks
So the sunroofs break a lot huh?

What years have the FP recall?

WHat mileage do the alts usually go bad?
 
#6 ·
Go to ford.com and look there. You can put the vin in and it will tell you. It would be better just to go to a ford/mercury dealership and have them run it to see if there "open" or not!
 
#7 ·
Originally posted by: Loco
Originally posted by: Fearthisescort
99-00 sunroofs
99-01 fuel pump
99-02 alt. there is no millage when they go, the just go. look at the alt post at the top of the problems section
Can anyone here check a VIN to see if it had the recall taken care of?
the early 99's don't have fuel pump problems. check the born on date on the door label. as for the alternators, at least it seems that it doesn't go with no warning - you just have to know what the warning signs are.

you're going to find that there are people who have had practically no problems with their cougars (I have a 99, built 10/98, 94K miles, and the only problem I've had is I replaced the alternator at 50K - I'm still on the stock battery and my brakes lasted 70K miles, it doesn't have a sunroof) and then there are people who will tell you they've had every problem under the sun. of course, I'm going to tell you that they're extremely reliable, and I love mine.

good luck :)
 
#8 ·
2000 V6 here. No issues with the sunroof, no issues with the fuel pump, but I have gone thru 4 alternators in 3 years. Finally got my act together and bought a new one with a lifetime guarantee, so the last replacement was free!

95,000 miles next week...
 
#9 ·
i have a 2000 v6 w/ 60000miles. no problem with alternator, i got the fuel pump recall done, that was quick and easy. other than that... i recently bought a new battery and re did th ebrakes but no real problems. i love my car and thinks it is very reliable
 
#11 ·
can she drive stick? If not then time to learn! the 5speed cougars are fun to drive!

I havnt had any real problems with my cougar. Mine is an early 99
 
#15 ·
never had problems with mine till last week at 84k miles when i spun a bearing taking a hard turn (assumed time of starvation)... but i guess it happens...
 
#16 ·
I've have a 2000 cougar
bought the car with 47k
At 50k had fuel pump replaced under recall
55k Replaced IMRC, IACV, spark plugs(ford racing wires(don't buy them), had to replace pads and rotors, fluid in tranny, coolant, spark plugs and wires

65k replace IACV, and wires again-went back to motorcraft wires no problems since
had to replace clutch at 68K

70k, rear caliper seized up-replace both also had a rear stut go out...lowered the car with koni/eibachs

85K front caliper seized up-replace both with and all new pads

90-100K....Sunroof boke(ford want $1000 just for the parts-another $800 to install), water pump went out(sprung a leak)-$190 installing myself, Tranny 1st,2nd, and 3rd gear syncros are going...makes a lovely grinding noise
IMRC needs to be replaced again along with IACV again....

Now I've done probably 90-95% of the work listed here myself along with other various problems....so it hasn't been too bad on the wallet. But that's way more than I've expected.

It's a fun car to scoot around in, the 5sp expecially(the auto is a dog). handles nicely, get an '02 if you can find one....go for the 35th anniversary package, better rims, interior and a lot of the crap was fixed by then.

But then again there are a lot better cars out there, but with the reliability issues these cars are know to have means they go for less than simular cars......

so maybe save 2 grand buying a coug instead of a eclipse....but be prepared to spend it back in repairs
 
#18 ·
99 V6 MTX Sport Package RIP old girl

Had the Alternator Problem, was one of the first, car was 211 off the line. First sign, the headlights would brighten and dim while idoling at a stop light.

I spun the crankshaft bearing out of her. Granted she was bottle fed

Other than the alternator and the disaster at 110K, general maintenance was all I had. Tires, oil changes, alignments, etc.

I would recommend an early 99 or an 01. and yes stay away from the sunroof. If you have to have one, you are better off getting an aftermarket one.
 
#19 ·
Just thought I'd let you know that after about a month of finding nothing but beat cars or ones that dealers wanted waaay too much for, we bought a spruce green 2000 V6 today w/40k miles on it. :D
 
#20 ·
WOOT! So where the pics at! Mine used to be Spruce Green! did you get a 5speed or auto?
 
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