Model year
2000 Mercury Cougar
NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 211 complaints for the 2000 Mercury Cougar (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (25), FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP (23), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR (20). NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 21–25 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,700–$3,200, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
Recalls
04V421000 · Aug 30, 2004
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.
01V031000 · Feb 6, 2001
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
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 COULD CONTACT THE POWER STEERING LINE AND THE INSULATION COULD WEAR, RESULTING IN AN…
00V075000 · Mar 9, 2000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
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 OPERATED IN AREAS THAT USE SALT COMPOUNDS ON THE ROADWAY FOR…
Complaints
211 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 18, fire flag on 10, injury field 17, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cougar · 2L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 31 | 25 | — | — | $2,700 |
| Cougar · 2.5L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 26 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| Cougar · 2.5L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 26 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2000 Mercury Cougar at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.