Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1984 Mercury Cougar
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
936.0%
0 crashes, 3 fires
Brakes
416.0%
Engine & Cooling
416.0%
Seat Belts
28.0%
Steering
28.0%
Other & Unspecified
14.0%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
14.0%
Fuel & Propulsion
14.0%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
14.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 41,000 mi
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 1995peak 5Nov 2004
NHTSA investigations into the 1984 Mercury Cougar
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE89039Opened 9 Feb 1989Closed 13 Jun 1989PARKING BRAKE
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
SUMMARY:THE SPRING UNDER INVESTIGATION CAUSES THE LATCHING PAWL TOENGAGE THE TEETH OF THE RATCHET WHEREBY THE PARKING BRAKE IS RETAINEDIN THE APPLIED POSITION.IF THE SPRING FAILS, THE PEDAL FOLLOWS THEOPERATORS FOOT BACK UP INTO THE RELEASED POSITION.FORD STATES THAT IT ISSUED THE BULLETIN IN ORDER TO INFORM DEALERSTHAT THE SPRING WAS NEWLY AVAILABLE AS A SEPARATE PART.PREVIOUSLY,IT WAS NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL ASSEMBLY INORDER TO OBTAIN A NEW SPRING.SINCE THE FAILURE OF THE SPRING WILL NOT CAUSE THE PARKING BRAKE TOSUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY RELEASE AND SINCE THERE...
EA86010Opened 26 Mar 1986Closed 28 Jul 1989SEATS
SEATBACK FAILURE
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:FORD BELIEVES THAT THE AL-LEGED DEFECT ONLY OCCURS IN A SMALL NUMBER OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ANDRECALLED ABOUT 195,732 1984 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES IN JUNE 1986.ANALYSIS: VEHICLES POTENTIALLY INVOLVED INCLUDE TEMPO/TOPAZ, ESCORT/LYNX/EXP, MUSTANG/CAPRI, LTD/MARQUIS, AND THUNDERBIRD/COUGAR.FORD SOLD ABOUT 110,000 REPLACEMENT MIO BOLTS, MAINLY FOR 1983 AND 1984MODELS. LOW CLAMPING FORCE APPEARS TO BE A LARGE PART OF THE PROBLEM.FORD INCREASED THE TORQUE REQUIREMENTS AND REQUIRED THE USE OF A MANUALTORQUE TOOL IN MARCH AND SEPTEMBER 1985 PRODUCTION CHANGES. 1...
Recalls on the 1984 Mercury Cougar
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
83V134000
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
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".
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 198311437,431 units in Canada
THE UPPER TORSO RESTRAINT D-RING WHICH ATTACHES THE SHOULDER BELT TO THE B PILLAR, UNDER CERTAIN TEST CONDITIONS, SEPARATED FROM ITS ANCHORAGE, AND MAY NOT COMPLY WITH CMVSS 210 - BELT ANCHORAGE.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 41,000 milesSAN Diego, CACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONSUMER WILL CONTACT THE DEALER IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION LEFT TIRE MARKS ON THE DRIVEWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10099244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shubuta, MSFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
UPON PARKING 1 HOUR LATER FOUND INTERIOR ENGULFED IN FLAMES.
NHTSA complaint #983672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shubuta, MSFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
UPON PARKING 1 HOUR LATER FOUND INTERIOR ENGULFED IN FLAMES.
NHTSA complaint #983672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Naples, FLFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. SHE GOT INTO THE CAR AND STARTED THE IGNITON AND SMOKE CAME OUT/THEN IT WENT UP IN FLAMES. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #983044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 41,000 milesSAN Diego, CACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONSUMER WILL CONTACT THE DEALER IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION LEFT TIRE MARKS ON THE DRIVEWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10099244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
VEHICLE STALLED AT ANY SPEED. HAS STALLED 4 TIMES SINCE PURCHASED 4 WEEKS AGO. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SAID THAT TFI MODULE AND IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO THESE COMPONENTS CAUSED ELECTRICAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #896821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE STALLED AT ANY SPEED. HAS STALLED 4 TIMES SINCE PURCHASED 4 WEEKS AGO. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SAID THAT TFI MODULE AND IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO THESE COMPONENTS CAUSED ELECTRICAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #896821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lawndale, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
THE IGNITION SWITCH IS TEMPERAMENTAL AND THE VEHICLE IS STALLING. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #557769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lawndale, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
THE IGNITION SWITCH IS TEMPERAMENTAL AND THE VEHICLE IS STALLING. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #557769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newry, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VERY RECENTLY I FOUND THAT THE NHTSA HAS BEEN INVESTIGATING PROBLEMS WITH MANY FORD VEHICLES FROM THE 80'S, DUE TO STALLING PROBLEMS. I OWNED A 1984 MERCURY COUGAR FOR 2 YEARS AND PUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INTO THIS VEHICHLE WITH NO SUCCESS. I KEPT ALL MY RECEIPTS KNOWING THAT SOME DAY THE PROBLEM WOULD COME OUT. I WISH TO BE PART OF THESE COMPLAINTS AGAINST FORD AND HOPES OF GETTING MONEY BACK DUE TO FORDS MISTAKE WHEN ASSEMBLING THE VEHICLES. THE MERCURY COUGAR STARTED STALLING ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, BUT GOT WORSE AS TIME WENT ON. DATES INVOLVED REPAIRS WERE FROM JANUARY OF 1989 UP TO APRIL OF 1990. FINALLY IN AUGUST OF 1990 I TRADED THE VEHICLE IN, AFTER MANY SITUATIONS OF ALMOST BAD ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE VEHICLE STALLING WHEN STOPPING OR JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE VEHICHLE WOULD JUST SHUT OFF AND IT WOULD TAKE NUMOROUS TRIES TO GET IT STARTED OR I WOULD HAVE TO GET IT TOWED. THE STRESS AND CONCERN OF MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN WAS MORE THAN I COULD HANDLE. I FEEL FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY IN ALL THERE MISTAKES. NO MATTER WHAT IT COSTS, TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVE LOST LIVES DUE TO THIS ENORMOUS COMPANY.
NHTSA complaint #731319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fayetteville, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IN EMERGENCY STOPPING SEAT BELTS DO NOT LOCK UP. ALSO, A BUMPING AND GRINDING NOISE OCCURS IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE VIBRATES, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #864828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fayetteville, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IN EMERGENCY STOPPING SEAT BELTS DO NOT LOCK UP. ALSO, A BUMPING AND GRINDING NOISE OCCURS IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE VIBRATES, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #864828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fayetteville, NC
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IN EMERGENCY STOPPING SEAT BELTS DO NOT LOCK UP. ALSO, A BUMPING AND GRINDING NOISE OCCURS IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE VIBRATES, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #864828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELT BUCKLE HOUSING CRACKED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #837491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodland, WA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE RACK AND PINION FAILED (WORN OUT), CAUSING POOR STEERING ABILITY, RESULTING IN REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #545036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntlington Beach, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE GIVES NO PRIOR WARNING AND CUTS COMPLETELY OFF. WHEN TRYING TO START BACK UP THE BATTERY LIGHT/ ENGINECHECK LIGHT KEEP COMING ON. CONTACTED DEALER .
NHTSA complaint #828571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntlington Beach, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE GIVES NO PRIOR WARNING AND CUTS COMPLETELY OFF. WHEN TRYING TO START BACK UP THE BATTERY LIGHT/ ENGINECHECK LIGHT KEEP COMING ON. CONTACTED DEALER .
NHTSA complaint #828571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntlington Beach, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE GIVES NO PRIOR WARNING AND CUTS COMPLETELY OFF. WHEN TRYING TO START BACK UP THE BATTERY LIGHT/ ENGINECHECK LIGHT KEEP COMING ON. CONTACTED DEALER .
NHTSA complaint #828571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Monica, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY STALLS AND IS DIFFICULT TO START.
NHTSA complaint #531316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairbanks, AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH WAS MELTED WHEN OWNER TRIED TO START VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #812728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alamo, CA
STEERING:LINKAGES:ARM:IDLER AND ATTACHMENT
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON, ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN BUT CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE/ HAD TO TURN IGNITION SWITCH OFF TO STOP.
NHTSA complaint #511786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shubuta, MSFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
UPON PARKING 1 HOUR LATER FOUND INTERIOR ENGULFED IN FLAMES.
NHTSA complaint #983672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shubuta, MSFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
UPON PARKING 1 HOUR LATER FOUND INTERIOR ENGULFED IN FLAMES.
NHTSA complaint #983672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shubuta, MS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO THE IGNITON SWITCH. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #983406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Naples, FLFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. SHE GOT INTO THE CAR AND STARTED THE IGNITON AND SMOKE CAME OUT/THEN IT WENT UP IN FLAMES. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #983044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wheaton, MD
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
CONSUMER SMELLED A VERY BAD ODOR/FUMES IN THE VEHILCE.
NHTSA complaint #983126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Massapequa, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
FRONT BRAKE HOSE AT FACTORY CRIMPED CONNECTOR ON CALIPER, CAUSED EQUALIZATION VALVE TO FAIL/LOSS OF BACKUP BRAKING SYSTEM. *SKD
NHTSA complaint #486068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Massapequa, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP
BRAKE WARNING LIGHT FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #486068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waterloo, 00
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT
ENGINE IDLES RXCESSIVELY FAST UNLESS THE HEATER CONTROL SWITCH IS ON. TT
NHTSA complaint #961744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.