Model year record

1992 MERCURY Cougar

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 122 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V275000

Exterior lighting: headlights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
164,731
Reported to NHTSA
1999-10-12
Owners notified
1999-11-15

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FOG LIGHTS, IN WHICH THE HEADLIGHTS MAY GO OUT FOR VARIOUS INTERVALS AND WHICH MAY BE PRECEDED BY FLICKERING OR BLINKING AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING.

Safety risk

DRIVER'S COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH WHICH INCORPORATES A CIRCUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN, AND INSTALL A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR, IF NEEDED.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V159000

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
125,000
Reported to NHTSA
1997-09-22
Owners notified
1997-10-27

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WEST VIRGINIA. MOVEMENT OF THE FUEL LINES CAUSES THE NYLON FUEL LINE JUMPER TO CHAFE AGAINST THE FLOOR PAN. THIS WEAR CAN CAUSE A PIN HOLE IN THE FUEL LINE RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE.

Safety risk

THIS FUEL LEAKAGE RESULTS IN DAMPNESS AND FUEL ODOR, AND IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD RESULT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PLASTIC CONVOLUTE COVERING AROUND THE FUEL LINES. IF THE LINES SHOW A LEAK, THE LINES WILL BE REPLACED FIRST.

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
Engine and engine cooling: engine1477,777 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights1298,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch12155,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal6
Vehicle speed control4
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system3
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline3
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner3
Exterior lighting392,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery3
Power train3
Seat belts: front: retractor3
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor3
Visibility: power window devices and controls3
Electrical system: ignition2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2
Steering: column2
Suspension: front2
Suspension: front: wheel bearing2
Tires242,000 mi
Unknown or other2
Electrical system189,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Electrical system: ignition: switch1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1
Exterior lighting: turn signal1
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1
Power train: manual transmission1
Seat belts1
Seat belts: front: anchorage1
Seats1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1
Steering1120,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments1
Structure: frame and members1120,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1
Wheels1

The 1991 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1993 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.