Complaints by model year
Distinct federal complaints filed against each model year of the Mercury Cougar, to date. Hover a bar for the count. Older years have had longer to accumulate filings; the rankings below correct for that.
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
Highest totals within an 8-year windowAll other years
Model years compared
Ranked from the same federal record on an equal exposure window. Click any year for its full file.
Highest complaint totals
- 1999 Mercury Cougar - 414 complaints in its first 8 years (454 to date)
- 2000 Mercury Cougar - 182 complaints in its first 8 years (211 to date)
- 1993 Mercury Cougar - 152 complaints in its first 8 years (195 to date)
Ranked on distinct complaints filed within eight years of the model year, so old and new years get the same exposure window. Not adjusted for sales volume; a best-selling year files more complaints at the same failure rate.
Lowest totals among mature years
- 1990 Mercury Cougar - 48 complaints in its first 8 years (86 to date)
- 1996 Mercury Cougar - 51 complaints in its first 8 years (62 to date)
- 1991 Mercury Cougar - 52 complaints in its first 8 years (73 to date)
Same eight-year window, among model years old enough to have completed it and with at least 25 complaints in it. Model years before 1990 are excluded because the federal file begins in 1995. A low total is not proof of reliability.
What owners report, all years combined
Every model year
| Model year | Complaints to date | Within 8 years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 Mercury Cougar | 95 | 66 | 1 |
| 2001 Mercury Cougar | 82 | 62 | 1 |
| 2000 Mercury Cougar | 211 | 182 | 3 |
| 1999 Mercury Cougar | 454 | 414 | 7 |
| 1998 Mercury Cougar | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1997 Mercury Cougar | 76 | 65 | 0 |
| 1996 Mercury Cougar | 62 | 51 | 2 |
| 1995 Mercury Cougar | 109 | 103 | 0 |
| 1994 Mercury Cougar | 137 | 117 | 0 |
| 1993 Mercury Cougar | 195 | 152 | 3 |
| 1992 Mercury Cougar | 92 | 60 | 3 |
| 1991 Mercury Cougar | 73 | 52 | 3 |
| 1990 Mercury Cougar | 86 | 48 | 3 |
| 1989 Mercury Cougar | 81 | 50 | 4 |
| 1988 Mercury Cougar | 55 | 26 | 1 |
| 1987 Mercury Cougar | 33 | 13 | 1 |
| 1986 Mercury Cougar | 13 | 0 | 2 |
| 1985 Mercury Cougar | 10 | 0 | 1 |
| 1984 Mercury Cougar | 17 | 0 | 1 |
| 1983 Mercury Cougar | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 1982 Mercury Cougar | 2 | 0 | 3 |
Recall campaigns, all years
Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN.
| Campaign | Years | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04V421000 | 1999-2002 | 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. |
| 01V230000 | 1999 | 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... |
| 01V032000 | 1999 | Exterior Lighting | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH TERMINALS COULD OVERHEAT. |
| 01V031000 | 1999-2000 | 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. |
| 00V075000 | 1999-2000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). |
| 99V275000 | 1992-1993 | 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... |
| 99V226000 | 1999 | 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. |
| 99V194000 | 1999 | 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. |
| 97V159000 | 1992-1993 | Fuel System, Gasoline | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY,... |
| 96V071000 | 1988-1993 | Electrical System | THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT. |
| 96V070000 | 1996 | 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. |
| 96V007000 | 1996 | Equipment | UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE CLIMATE CONTROL BLOWER DOES NOT OPERATE AS INTENDED. |
| 91V076000 | 1990-1991 | Visibility | THE NUTS WHICH HOLD WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR TO THE WIPER MODULE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED AND MAY LOOSEN OR COME OFF. |
| 91V048000 | 1991 | 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. |
| 90V026000 | 1990 | Electrical System | BATTERY TO STARTER CABLES ARE LONGER THAN SPECIFIED; EXCESSIVE CABLE LENGTH COULD CONTACT ENGINE DAMPER PULLEY. |
| 89V081000 | 1989 | Service Brakes, Air | 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. |
| 89V080000 | 1989 | Suspension | IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED REAR SUSPENSION KNUCKLES COULD EXPERIENCE HIGH MILEAGE FATIGUE CRACKS AND EVENTUAL FRACTURE. |
| 88V165000 | 1989 | Fuel System, Gasoline | PLASTIC ROLLOVER VALVE MOUNTING PLATE MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SEALED TO THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK. |
| 87V139000 | 1986-1987 | Fuel System, Gasoline | SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED. |
| 86V065000 | 1986 | 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. |
| 85V025000 | 1985 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS MAY HAVE IMPROPERLY ANODIZED INTERNAL SURFACES CAUSING ACCELERATED WEAR OF A PISTON SEAL. |
| 83V134000 | 1984 | 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. |
| 83V050000 | 1982 | Fuel System, Gasoline | SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH IMPROPERLY WELDED FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAPS. |
| 83V028000 | 1983 | Power Train | THE PARKING GEAR MAY NOT ENGAGE, EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION. |
| 83V012000 | 1983 | Fuel System, Gasoline | SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH FUEL TANKS THAT HAVE INADEQUATELY WELDED FRONT SEAMS THAT CAN LEAK. |
| 82V031000 | 1982 | Fuel System, Other | SOME OF THE SUSPECT VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED PROPANE FUEL SYSTEM FITTINGS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT; FUEL LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR. |
| 81V151000 | 1982 | Equipment | INCORRECT INFORMATION ON TIRE PLACARDS CONSTITUTES A FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS". |