Known Recalls

Model year record

1996 MERCURY Cougar

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 77 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V070000

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
73,500
Reported to NHTSA
1996-04-22
Owners notified
1996-05-15

Defect description

WHEN IN THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, THE DRIVER DOOR LATCHES MAY OPEN WHEN SUBJECTED TO TRANSVERSE LOADS LESS THAN THAT SPECIFIED IN FMVSS NO. 206, "DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS."

Safety risk

THE DRIVER'S DOOR, WHEN CLOSED ONLY TO THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, MAY NOT SUSTAIN A 1,000 POUND TRANSVERSE LOAD.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE DRIVER DOOR LATCH.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V007000

Equipment: appliance: air conditioner

Component
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
10,600
Reported to NHTSA
1996-01-16
Owners notified
1996-02-21

Defect description

UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE CLIMATE CONTROL BLOWER DOES NOT OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE BLOWER COULD (1) STICK ON "HIGH;" (2) OPERATE ERRATICALLY WITH BLOWER OUTPUT VARYING BETWEEN NO BLOWER AND MAXIMUM BLOWER; OR (3) NOT OPERATE AT ALL DUE TO MALFUNCTION OF THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL MODULE.

Safety risk

BLOWER MALFUNCTIONS LIMITING OR STOPPING OUTPUT CAN ADVERSELY AFFECT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEMI-AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL MODULES WITH MODULES CONTAINING REVISED SOFTWARE.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling512,918 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine540,359 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe580,000 mi
Vehicle speed control4—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system395,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline3—
Seat belts: front: anchorage3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor3—
Tires3—
Unknown or other344,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch258,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission2—
Service brakes, hydraulic236,654 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system2—
Suspension: front2—
Tires: tread/belt2—
Visibility: windshield2—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor2—
Air bags: frontal1—
Electrical system140,550 mi
Electrical system: ignition1—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Exterior lighting1—
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings180,700 mi
Latches/locks/linkages1114,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1—
Power train: manual transmission140,550 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Structure136,654 mi
Structure: body: door1—
Structure: body: hood1—
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments1109,000 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid1—
Suspension: front: control arm1—
Vehicle speed control: cables1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system161,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—

The 1995 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1997 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.