Model year record

1991 MERCURY Cougar

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 98 owner complaints on file.

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 91V048000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component
Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
6,800
Reported to NHTSA
1991-03-18
Owners notified
1991-07-22

Defect description

THE PARK ROD ASSEMBLY CONTAINS A PARK CAM WITH INADEQUATE SURFACE HARDNESS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO PARK DISENGAGEMENT OR NO PARK ENGAGEMENT WHEN THE LEVER IS PLACED IN PARK.

Safety risk

IF PARK IS NOT ENGAGED AND THE PARKING BRAKE IS OFF, AVEHICLE ROLL-AWAY COULD RESULT.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE PARK ROD ASSEMBLY ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine15
Vehicle speed control795,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights6
Seat belts6
Electrical system: ignition: switch4
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components4
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline3
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip378,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls395,000 mi
Electrical system2141,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator2
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2
Engine and engine cooling295,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor2
Suspension: front2
Air bags: frontal1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: wiring1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1
Exterior lighting164,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline1
Fuel system, other1
Power train1
Seat belts: front: anchorage1
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1
Structure: body: door1
Structure: frame and members1
Suspension: rear1
Suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly1
Tires1
Unknown or other1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1
Vehicle speed control: springs1
Visibility: windshield1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1
Wheels1

The 1990 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1992 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.

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.