Model year record

1986 MERCURY Cougar

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 20 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 87V139000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
3,600,000
Reported to NHTSA
1987-09-04
Owners notified
1987-10-12

Defect description

SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.

Safety risk

COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 86V065000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Component
Exterior lighting: headlights
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
163
Reported to NHTSA
1986-05-21
Owners notified
1986-06-17

Defect description

HEADLAMP COVERS WERE INSTALLED ON VEHICLES IN ERROR. CAUSING THE CARS NOT TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE HEADLAMP COVERS MAY HINDER THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE CAR IN DARKNESS AND OTHER CONDITIONS OF REDUCED VISIBILITY.

Manufacturer remedy

REMOVE HEADLAMP COVERS.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly4
Electrical system: ignition: switch3
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly3
Vehicle speed control2100,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling1100,000 mi
Seats1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1
Structure: body: hood1
Visibility: windshield1

The 1985 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1987 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.