Model year record

1988 Mercury Cougar

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 72 owner complaints on file.

Mercury Cougar, 1983–1988 generation
Pictured: the 1983–1988 generation. Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V071000

Electrical system: ignition

Component
Electrical system: ignition
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
7,900,000
Reported to NHTSA
1996-04-25
Owners notified
1996-06-07

Defect description

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1575,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch9—
Vehicle speed control760,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline3—
Seat belts: front: anchorage3—
Exterior lighting: headlights2—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly2—
Tires: tread/belt2—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2—
Visibility: windshield2—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Electrical system: ignition1—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch1—
Seat belts: front: retractor1—
Seat belts: front: webbing1—
Seats1—
Seats: front assembly: recliner1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Structure: body: trunk lid1—
Suspension: rear1—
Unknown or other1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring1—

The 1987 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1989 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.

Other Mercury Cougar model years

All Mercury Cougar recalls by year

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.