Model year record

1990 Mercury Cougar

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 104 owner complaints on file.

Mercury Cougar, 1989–1997 generation
Pictured: the 1989–1997 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 91V076000

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor

Component
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
125,000
Reported to NHTSA
1991-05-06
Owners notified
1991-05-24

Defect description

THE NUTS WHICH HOLD WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR TO THE WIPER MODULE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED AND MAY LOOSEN OR COME OFF. THIS CAUSES CHANGED WIPER PATTERNS, OR THE WIPERS MAY JAM IF TWO OF THE THREE NUTS COME OFF.

Safety risk

CHANGES IN THE WIPER PATTERN OR JAMMING OF THE WIPERSWOULD RESULT IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILTY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS.

Manufacturer remedy

APPLY TORQUE RETENTION MATERIAL TO WIPER MOTOR STUDS AND NUTS AND RETORQUE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 90V026000

Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables

Component
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
72
Reported to NHTSA
1990-02-12
Owners notified
1990-03-09

Defect description

BATTERY TO STARTER CABLES ARE LONGER THAN SPECIFIED; EXCESSIVE CABLE LENGTH COULD CONTACT ENGINE DAMPER PULLEY.

Safety risk

CABLE PROTECTIVE COVERING AND INSULATION COULD WEAR THROUGH AND CAUSE A DIRECT SHORT TO GROUND, RESULTING IN OVERHEATING OF THE CABLE INSULATION AND POSSIBLY A UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE BATTERY TO STARTER CABLE WITH CORRECT LENGTH CABLE.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Vehicle speed control15—
Engine and engine cooling: engine8—
Seat belts6—
Electrical system561,800 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery5—
Electrical system: ignition5—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch5—
Exterior lighting: headlights4—
Seat belts: front: anchorage3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip3—
Electrical system: wiring2—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2—
Power train: automatic transmission2—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2—
Seat belts: front: retractor2—
Seat belts: front: webbing2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments2—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2—
Visibility: power window devices and controls2—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Electrical system: ignition: switch1—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1—
Engine160,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1—
Exterior lighting1235,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1—
Fuel/propulsion system1235,000 mi
Seat belts: front1—
Seats1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings1—
Steering1—
Steering: rack and pinion: rack1—
Vehicle speed control: cables1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility: windshield1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1—

The 1989 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1991 model has roughly the same number of 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.