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2000 Mercury Cougar 2dr V6 Hatchback

The 2000 Mercury Cougar 2dr V6 Hatchback is a 2.5-liter V6 hatchback with an automatic 4-speed and front-wheel drive. It starts at $17,490 MSRP and is rated at 21 mpg combined.

EPA fuel-economy estimates are 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway (21 mpg combined).

The Cougar measures 185.0 inches long on a 106.4-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,892 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeHatchback
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$17,490 ($33,010 *)
Engine
Engine Type2.5L V6
Displacement2.5 L
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
TransmissionAutomatic 4-speed
Fuel Economy
City18 MPG
Highway26 MPG
Combined21 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular Gasoline
Tank Capacity15 gal
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front16-in. aluminum alloy
Wheels Rear16-in. aluminum alloy
Dimensions & Weight
Length185 in
Width69.6 in
Height52.2 in
Wheelbase106.4 in
Curb Weight2,892 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front37.8 in
Headroom Rear34.6 in
Legroom Front42.5 in
Legroom Rear33.2 in
Shoulder Room Front53.9 in
Shoulder Room Rear51.3 in
Hip Room Front51.2 in
Hip Room Rear51.2 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Similar cars

Rivals to the 2000 Mercury Cougar 2dr V6 Hatchback with similar size, power and price from around the same years.

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.

Recalls

5 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2000 Mercury COUGAR. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Apr 14, 2008 · SUSPENSION

FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.

Consequence: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.

NHTSA campaign 08E033000

Mar 13, 2006 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.

Consequence: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.

NHTSA campaign 06E022000

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.

Consequence: THIS MAY CAUSE ENGINE HESITATION, LOSS OF POWER, SURGING, AND OTHER SIMILAR SYMPTOMS. OVER TIME, THE FILTER MAY BECOME SUFFICIENTLY BLOCKED TO CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: THIS ACTION IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN AND IS NOT BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE SAFETY ACT. ALL OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FDM WITH A NEW DESIGN AT NO CHARGE IF THE OWNER REPORTS THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITS ANY OF THE IDENTIFIED SYMPTOMS. THE FREE REPLACEMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, WITH NO MILEAGE LIMIT. THE CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON APRIL 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

NHTSA campaign 04V421000

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 ELECTRICAL SHORT.

Consequence: THE SHORT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE, STALLING, OR A NO-START CONDITION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BATTERY CABLE TO THE ALTERNATOR FOR DAMAGE AND, IF IT IS DAMAGED, WILL REPLACE THE CABLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE ROUTING OF THE CABLE WILL BE CORRECTED, AS NECESSARY, AND A ROUTING CLIP WILL BE ADDED. ALSO THE TORQUE ON THE ALTERNATOR ATTACHMENT OF THE CABLE WILL BE CHECKED AND, AS REQUIRED, WILL BE TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION. 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.

NHTSA campaign 01V031000

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 DE-ICING OR DUST CONTROL.

Consequence: IF BOTH PCRV'S MALFUNCTION, VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED DURING BRAKING AS A RESULT OF THE REAR WHEELS LOCKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL IMPROVED PCRV'S IN THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS RECALL WAS EXPANDED IN SEPTEMBER 2000 TO INCLUDE 1999 AND 2000 FORD CONTOUR, MERCURY MYSTIQUE AND COUGAR VEHICLES.

NHTSA campaign 00V075000

211 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2000 Mercury COUGAR

Owner Complaints

211 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2000 Mercury COUGAR (18 mention a crash, 10 a fire, 11 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Electrical System63
Fuel System41
Gasoline38
Engine And Engine Cooling26
Air Bags17
Vehicle Speed Control16
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Dec 6, 2019 · Electrical System
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED AND MULTIPLE WARNING INDICATORS, INCLUDING THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR, ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO…”
Aug 26, 2016 · Exterior Lighting, Visibility/Wiper
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE WINDOWS AND SUN ROOF INDEPENDENTLY ROLLED DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED…”
May 10, 2016 · Fuel/Propulsion System
“TAKATA INFLATORSI HAVE A 2000. MERCURY. COGUAR. WHEN. I BOUGHT THE. CAR IT RAN TGOOD, THEN. IN 2014. I HAD TO. PAY 1000. TO GET A. FUEL PUMP PUT IN. AND. THAT ONLY LASTED. 2YRS. NOW THE FUEL PUMP WENT…”
May 7, 2016 · Fuel/Propulsion System
“HAVING SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL SYSTEMS. I HAVE PUT FUELPUT A NEW FUEL PUMP IN GAS TANK 2 YES. AGO. PUT FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR THIS YEAR. PUT NEW FUEL REGULATOR THIS YEAR NOW WHEN DRIVING IT WILL…”
Mar 24, 2016 · Fuel/Propulsion System
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL PUMP WOULD ONLY ALLOW 1-2 GALLONS TO ENTER THE FUEL TANK BEFORE SHUTTING OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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