Mercury Cougar Recalls & Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA lists 48 safety recalls and 1,893 owner complaints across 36 model years of the Mercury Cougar (1962–2002). The most-complained-about year is 1999.
Pick your Mercury Cougar model year
- 1962
- 1967
- 1968
- 1969
- 1970
- 1971
- 1972
- 1973
- 1974
- 1975
- 1976
- 1977
- 1978
- 1979
- 1980
- 1982
- 1983
- 1984
- 1985
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- 1996
- 1997
- 1998
- 1999
- 2000
- 2001
- 2002
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 Mercury Cougar | 1 | 95 |
| 2001 Mercury Cougar | 1 | 82 |
| 2000 Mercury Cougar | 3 | 211 |
| 1999 Mercury Cougar | 7 | 454 |
| 1998 Mercury Cougar | 0 | 1 |
| 1997 Mercury Cougar | 0 | 76 |
| 1996 Mercury Cougar | 2 | 62 |
| 1995 Mercury Cougar | 0 | 109 |
| 1994 Mercury Cougar | 0 | 137 |
| 1993 Mercury Cougar | 3 | 195 |
| 1992 Mercury Cougar | 3 | 92 |
| 1991 Mercury Cougar | 3 | 73 |
| 1990 Mercury Cougar | 3 | 86 |
| 1989 Mercury Cougar | 4 | 81 |
| 1988 Mercury Cougar | 1 | 55 |
| 1987 Mercury Cougar | 1 | 33 |
| 1986 Mercury Cougar | 2 | 13 |
| 1985 Mercury Cougar | 1 | 10 |
| 1984 Mercury Cougar | 1 | 17 |
| 1983 Mercury Cougar | 2 | 2 |
| 1982 Mercury Cougar | 3 | 2 |
| 1980 Mercury Cougar | 1 | 2 |
| 1979 Mercury Cougar | 2 | 0 |
| 1978 Mercury Cougar | 1 | 2 |
| 1977 Mercury Cougar | 3 | 0 |
| 1976 Mercury Cougar | 1 | 0 |
| 1975 Mercury Cougar | 2 | 0 |
| 1974 Mercury Cougar | 2 | 0 |
| 1973 Mercury Cougar | 0 | 2 |
| 1972 Mercury Cougar | 1 | 0 |
| 1971 Mercury Cougar | 1 | 0 |
| 1970 Mercury Cougar | 1 | 0 |
| 1969 Mercury Cougar | 4 | 0 |
| 1968 Mercury Cougar | 1 | 0 |
| 1967 Mercury Cougar | 2 | 0 |
| 1962 Mercury Cougar | 0 | 1 |
What Mercury Cougar owners complain about
Across all model years, owners have filed 1,893 complaints with NHTSA. The 1999 model year has the most, with 454.
All Mercury Cougar recalls (48)
Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Mercury Cougar, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.
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Fuel system, gasoline
On certain passenger vehicles, contamination of the filter in the fuel delivery module (fdm) can reduce, and eventually block, the flow of fuel to the engine.
Remedy: This action is deemed a safety improvement campaign and is not being conducted under the safety act. All owners will be notified of the problem, and dealers will replace the fdm with a new design at no charge if the…
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Electrical system
On certain my 1996-1998 passenger vehicles built at the kansas city, cuautitlan assembly plants or on my 1999 passenger vehcles built at the automotive alliance international assembly plants, the rough surface of the heater blower resistor's stainless steel blades can damage the copper surface of the wiring harness connector. The damage…
Remedy: Dealers will install a new heater blower resistor and a new wire jumper harness. Owner notification began august 29, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do…
Model years: 1999
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Cables (electrical system)
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with 2.5l v6 engines. The battery cable was misrouted and its attachment to the alternator cable was under-torqued. If misrouted, the cable could contact the power steering line and the insulation could wear, resulting in an electrical short.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the battery cable to the alternator for damage and, if it is damaged, will replace the cable. Additionally, the routing of the cable will be corrected, as necessary, and a routing clip will be…
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Switch (exterior lighting)
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The brake lamp switch terminals could overheat.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new stop lamp extension harness with bronze terminals at the brake lamp switch connector, and also inspect the brake lamp switch for signs of overheating and replace, as required. Owner…
Model years: 1999
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Foundation components (service brakes)
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles not equipped with the anti-lock braking system (ABS). A pressure conscious reducing valve (pcrv) in the rear brakes may be subject to corrosion and result in malfunction, when operated in areas that use salt compounds on the roadway for de-icing or dust control.
Remedy: Dealers will install improved pcrv's in the rear brake system. This recall was expanded in september 2000 to include 1999 and 2000 ford contour, mercury mystique and cougar vehicles.
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Switch (exterior lighting)
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.
Remedy: Dealers will install a headlight switch which incorporates a circuit breaker of revised design, and install a wiring harness connector, if needed.
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Latch (latches/locks/linkages)
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The door latch may have been manufactured with a latch pawl that has a coating which will swell in high humidity conditions. The latch pawl may then stick in the open or unlatched position.
Remedy: Dealers will install a revised side door latch.
Model years: 1999
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Vehicle speed control
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The accelerator cable may have been manufactured with a burr on or near the end of the cable sleeve interior. This burr could fray the core wire resulting in the accelerator not returning to idle when the accelerator is released.
Remedy: Dealers will install a revised accelerator cable that has a flared conduit sleeve end and molded on end fitting.
Model years: 1999
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)
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…
Remedy: Dealers will install a plastic convolute covering around the fuel lines. If the lines show a leak, the lines will be replaced first.
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Ignition (electrical system)
The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
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Latch (latches/locks/linkages)
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."
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the driver door latch.
Model years: 1996
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Air conditioner (equipment)
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the semi-automatic temperature control modules with modules containing revised software.
Model years: 1996
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Motor (visibility)
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.
Remedy: Apply torque retention material to wiper motor studs and nuts and retorque.
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Automatic transmission (power train)
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.
Remedy: Replace park rod assembly on automatic transmissions.
Model years: 1991
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Cables (electrical system)
Battery to starter cables are longer than specified; excessive cable length could contact engine damper pulley.
Remedy: Replace battery to starter cable with correct length cable.
Model years: 1990
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Springs (suspension)
Improperly heat treated rear suspension knuckles could experience high mileage fatigue cracks and eventual fracture.
Remedy: Replace knuckles that have the affected lot codes.
Model years: 1989
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Caliper (service brakes)
Due to contact between the brake caliper of the inboard front wheel and the front stabilizer bar, there may be increased brake pedal travel following low speed turning maneuvers.
Remedy: Install acorn type front suspension strut nuts to eliminate stabilizer bar to brake caliper contact.
Model years: 1989
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Mounting (fuel system)
Plastic rollover valve mounting plate may not be properly sealed to the plastic fuel tank.
Remedy: Replace fuel tank.
Model years: 1989
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)
Spring lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged.
Remedy: Install retainer clips over the couplings to prevent coupling separation and fuel leakage.
Model years: 1986, 1987
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Headlights (exterior lighting)
Headlamp covers were installed on vehicles in error. Causing the cars not to comply with FMVSS 108, lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment. Consequence of defect: the headlamp covers may hinder the safe operation of the car in darkness and other conditions of reduced visibility.
Remedy: Remove headlamp covers.
Model years: 1986
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Master cylinder (service brakes)
Brake master cylinders may have improperly anodized internal surfaces causing accelerated wear of a piston seal. Consequence of defect: one portion of the split brake system would become ineffective resulting in increased stopping distance which may cause an accident. Driver would be warned by increased pedal travel and the brake…
Remedy: Master cylinders built on january 9, 1985 will be replaced.
Model years: 1985
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Fan (engine and engine cooling)
Blades may crack and may, over a period of time, loosen from fan assembly.
Remedy: Fan assembly will be replaced without charge.
Model years: 1977
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Anchorage (seat belts)
The bolts that attach the d-shaped ring for the shoulder belt are inadequately supported by the material in which they are mounted. The attachment does not comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 210, "seat belt assembly anchorages".
Remedy: Dealers will install new attaching hardware to improve the strength of the mounting.
Model years: 1984
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Mounting (fuel system)
Some of the involved vehicles may have been produced with improperly welded fuel tank support straps. Under certain collision conditions, these straps may not be able to support the fuel tank and leaks could develop.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect the fuel tank retaining straps for type of welds and, if necessary, replace them at no charge to owner.
Model years: 1982
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Automatic transmission (power train)
The parking gear may not engage, even though the gear shift lever is placed in the "park" position. This occurs if the linkage inside the transmission that actuates the park gear was improperly manufactured. A pin that retains components on a linkage (actuating) rod could break and the linkage may not engage the parking gear.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the parking pawl actuating rod assembly.
Model years: 1983
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Tank assembly (fuel system)
Some of these vehicles may have been built with fuel tanks that have inadequately welded front seams that can leak.
Remedy: The dealer will determine if the vehicle was corrected at the factory; if not, the fuel tank will be replaced at no charge to the owner.
Model years: 1983
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)
Some of the suspect vehicles may have been produced with improperly tightened propane fuel system fittings in the engine compartment; fuel leakage could occur.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect, replace, and seal certain fuel system connections at no cost to owner.
Model years: 1982
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Labels (equipment)
Incorrect information on tire placards constitutes a failure to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims". The information concerning tire sizes and inflation pressures is applicable to both two and four door sedans. The statement covers four door but fails to specify two door sedans.
Remedy: Revised placards will be installed by owners, or by dealers without charge.
Model years: 1982
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Fan (engine and engine cooling)
Due to a manufacturing error, certain flexible-blade engine cooling fans may be subject to fatigue cracking and blade separation during vehicle operation.
Remedy: Defective fan will be replaced with one of an improved design without charge.
Model years: 1972
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Fan (engine and engine cooling)
Some of the flexible five-blade engine cooling fans may be subject to high blade stresses that can result from resonant vibration inputs occurring during normal vehicle operation. This can lead to fatigue cracking of the blades. Portions of the blade may separate from the fan assembly without prior warning.
Remedy: Dealer will replace fan with an improved five-bladed version without charge to owner.
Model years: 1977
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Wheel cylinders (service brakes)
The involved vehicles do not conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 105, "hydraulic brake systems". Rear axle assemblies intended for other vehicles may have been installed in the involved vehicles. The wheel cylinders may not be the correct size. This could affect braking performance.
Remedy: Dealer will replace any incorrect wheel cylinders without charge to owner.
Model years: 1980
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Pedals and linkages (service brakes)
The involved vehicles were produced with brake push-rod to brake pedal retaining pins which were not heat-treated as specified. This could allow the brake pedal to become disengaged from the push-rod.
Remedy: Dealer will replace the suspect brake retaining pin.
Model years: 1979
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Mid/rear assembly (seats)
The involved vehicles may have been built with incorrect weld nuts that attach the rear portion of the front outboard seat track to the floor pan. The incorrect nuts have an oversize diameter and thread, and upon front seat track anchor bolt installation, the threads may have been stripped.
Remedy: The dealer will inspect and, if necessary, repair any stripped weld nuts and install larger size bolts to anchor the seat track to the floor at no cost to owner.
Model years: 1979
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Retractor (seat belts)
The involved vehicles are equipped with shoulder harness retractors that may not lock. Should the vehicle experience a sudden deceleration or impact, the front seat occupant may not be restrained by the shoulder harness portion of the three-point seat belt system. Furthermore, the shoulder harness retractors may not allow extraction of…
Remedy: The dealer will replace the seat belt assemblies if necessary, without charge to owner.
Model years: 1978
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)
The involved vehicles may experience fuel leakage at the rubber hose connecting the fuel inlet tube to the carburetor filter. This leakage condition is due to insufficient insertion of the fuel tube into the hose or improper positioning of the hose clamp, causing the clamp to be crimped directly over the fuel tube bead.
Remedy: Dealer will replace the existing fuel hose clamp with a spring-type clamp at the hose-to-fuel inlet tube connection, and adjust the connection where necessary, without charge.
Model years: 1977
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Recliner (seats)
The seat back pivot pin bracket on the involved vehicles may fail. Consequently, the seat back will rotate rearward.
Remedy: The dealer will replace the driver"s seat pivot pin bracket on all affected vehicles, free of charge.
Model years: 1968, 1969
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Cables (vehicle speed control)
Model years: 1976
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Carburetor system (fuel system)
Model years: 1975
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Carburetor system (fuel system)
Model years: 1975
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Vehicle speed control
Model years: 1974
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Floor shift (power train)
Model years: 1974
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Frame and members (structure)
Model years: 1971
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Retractor (seat belts)
Model years: 1970
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Rotor (service brakes)
Model years: 1969
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Latch (latches/locks/linkages)
Model years: 1969
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Heater core (visibility)
Model years: 1969
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Concealment devices (exterior lighting)
Model years: 1967
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Gear box (other than rack and pinion) (steering)
Model years: 1967
Other Mercury models
- Sable5,381 complaints
- Grand Marquis3,951 complaints
- Milan2,519 complaints
- Mountaineer1,992 complaints
- Villager1,725 complaints
- Mariner1,296 complaints
- Mystique1,019 complaints
- Tracer567 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.