Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1986 Mercury Cougar
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
525.0%
0 crashes, 2 fires
Fuel & Propulsion
420.0%
Seat Belts
315.0%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
210.0%
Median failure at 100,000 miles
Brakes
210.0%
Seats
15.0%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
15.0%
Body & Structure
15.0%
Engine & Cooling
15.0%
Median failure at 100,000 miles
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.
May 1995peak 4Nov 2004
NHTSA investigations into the 1986 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.
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 1986 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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 199209818,869 units in Canada
Emissions
NOTE: VEHICLES WITH 3.8 LITRE ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. THE SUBSTRATE MATERIAL IN THE CATALYSTS MAY RATTLE AND BREAK UP DURING NORMAL USE CAUSING EXHAUST EMISSIONS TO EXCEED THE STANDARD. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND CATALYST WILL BE REPLACED WHERE NECESSARY.
Recall 1987098295,731 units in Canada
Fuel System
ON VEHICLES WITH EFI OR CFI, THE SPRING-LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING USED TO CONNECT THE FUEL SUPPLY AND RETURN LINES TO THE EFI FUEL RAILS OR TO THE CFI THROTTLE BODIES AS WELL AS OTHER FUEL LINE CONNECTIONS NEAR THE DASH PANELS ON SOME VEHICLES, COULD DISENGAGE DURING VEHICLE USE. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, LOSS OF FUEL WILL RESULT, PROVIDING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE. CORRECTION: COUPLING RETAINER CLIPS WILL BE INSTALLED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES. NOTE: ESCORT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH EFI AND CFI. LYNX VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH CFI ONLY. EFI - ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION CFI - CENTRAL FUEL INJECTION
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
NEW Bedfor, MA1 injured
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
VEHICLE DOES NOT CONTAIN SAFETY GLASS ON SIDE WINDOWS, VEHICLE COLLISION RESULTING IN CUTS TO FACE DUE TO GLASS.
NHTSA complaint #510891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bridgeport, CTFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE IGNITION AREA WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #983740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bridgeport, CTFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE IGNITION AREA WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #983740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 100,000 milesClifton, CO
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
HEAD GASKET ON 3.8 ENGINE HAS BLOWN TWO TIMES IN 8 MONTHS. CAR OVERHEATS AND HAS OIL IN RADIATOR. HEATER DOES NOT WORK. AND VERY DIM LIGHTING ON SPEEDOMETER.
NHTSA complaint #10098640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesClifton, CO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
HEAD GASKET ON 3.8 ENGINE HAS BLOWN TWO TIMES IN 8 MONTHS. CAR OVERHEATS AND HAS OIL IN RADIATOR. HEATER DOES NOT WORK. AND VERY DIM LIGHTING ON SPEEDOMETER.
NHTSA complaint #10098640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westbury, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE HOOD IS HELD UP WITH A THIN METAL ROD AND PLACED INTO A HOLE IN THE HOOD. THERE ARE SEVERAL HOLES TO PUT THE ROD INTO BUT ONLY ONE IS PROPER SIZE AND FIT. IF YOU ARE UNDER THE HOOD AND YOU OR SOMEONE ELSE ACCIDENTALLY BUMPS THE ROD, THEN YOU WILL HAVE YOUR HEAD OR HANDS LITERALLY CHOPPED OFF SINCE THE WEIGHT OF THE HOOD IS SO HEAVY DUE TO HEAVY METAL PLATES PLACED IN THERE FOR FRONT END CRASH PROTECTION. I COMPLAINED TO THE FORD COMPANY IN 1986 BUT THEY JUST LAUGHED AS WELL AS NHTSA. ALSO MY CAR HAD ONE OF THE RUNAWAY PROBLEMS WHEREBY THE CAR WOULD JUST TAKE OFF ON ITS OWN DOWN THE STREET AT 90 MPH WITH BOTH FEE ON THE BRAKES. THE DEALER LAUGHED AND SAID I WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT COMPLAINED. NHTSA HAD 500 COMPLAINTS ON FILE FOR THAT PROBLEM. I WROTE CERTIFIED LETTER TO PRES OF FORD AND TOLD HIM THAT OF MY CAR INJURED OR KILLED ANYONE THAT HE WOULD BE FOUND GUILTY OF CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE. 2 WEEKS LATER I GOT A NEW COMPUTER THAT SOLVED THAT PROBLEM. MY CAR WAS KEPT IN SHOWROOM MINT CONDITION AND WAS STOLEN IN 1999.
NHTSA complaint #10060600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westbury, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
THE HOOD IS HELD UP WITH A THIN METAL ROD AND PLACED INTO A HOLE IN THE HOOD. THERE ARE SEVERAL HOLES TO PUT THE ROD INTO BUT ONLY ONE IS PROPER SIZE AND FIT. IF YOU ARE UNDER THE HOOD AND YOU OR SOMEONE ELSE ACCIDENTALLY BUMPS THE ROD, THEN YOU WILL HAVE YOUR HEAD OR HANDS LITERALLY CHOPPED OFF SINCE THE WEIGHT OF THE HOOD IS SO HEAVY DUE TO HEAVY METAL PLATES PLACED IN THERE FOR FRONT END CRASH PROTECTION. I COMPLAINED TO THE FORD COMPANY IN 1986 BUT THEY JUST LAUGHED AS WELL AS NHTSA. ALSO MY CAR HAD ONE OF THE RUNAWAY PROBLEMS WHEREBY THE CAR WOULD JUST TAKE OFF ON ITS OWN DOWN THE STREET AT 90 MPH WITH BOTH FEE ON THE BRAKES. THE DEALER LAUGHED AND SAID I WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT COMPLAINED. NHTSA HAD 500 COMPLAINTS ON FILE FOR THAT PROBLEM. I WROTE CERTIFIED LETTER TO PRES OF FORD AND TOLD HIM THAT OF MY CAR INJURED OR KILLED ANYONE THAT HE WOULD BE FOUND GUILTY OF CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE. 2 WEEKS LATER I GOT A NEW COMPUTER THAT SOLVED THAT PROBLEM. MY CAR WAS KEPT IN SHOWROOM MINT CONDITION AND WAS STOLEN IN 1999.
NHTSA complaint #10060600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warren, MI
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
THE BRACKET THAT HOLD THE STRAPS FOR THE FUEL TANK RUSTED VERY BADLY, BROKE AND THE FEUL TANK DROPPED WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING/DRAGGED AND RIPPED A HOLE IN THE GAS TANK THE SPARKS COULD HAVE LIT THE GAS ON FIRE AND POTENTAILY COULD HAVE KILLED MY WIFE AND SON IN THE CAR.THE REST OF THE CAR IS IN GOOD SHAPE VERY LITTLE RUST .WHY WAS THE BRACKETS THE FIRST THING TO GIVE WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE LAST THING TO RUST ?COULD THEY BE DEFECTIVE I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT THERE IS VERY LITTLE RUST ANY WHERE ELSE BUT WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN THE MOST DEADLY PROBLEM I COULD HAVE HAD WAS THE FIRST PROBLEM THAT I HAD WHITH RUST.
NHTSA complaint #707485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warren, MI
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
THE BRACKET THAT HOLD THE STRAPS FOR THE FUEL TANK RUSTED VERY BADLY, BROKE AND THE FEUL TANK DROPPED WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING/ DRAGGED AND RIPPED A HOLE IN THE GAS TANK THE SPARKS COULD HAVE LIT THE GAS ON FIRE AND POTENTAILY COULD HAVE KILLED MY WIFE AND SON IN THE CAR.THE REST OF THE CAR IS IN GOOD SHAPE VERY LITTLE RUST .WHY WAS THE BRACKETS THE FIRST THING TO GIVE WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE LAST THING TO RUST ?COULD THEY BE DEFECTIVE I WANT TO EMPHESIZE THAT THERE IS VERY LITTLE RUST ANY WHERE ELSE BUT WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN THE MOST DEADLY PROBLEM I COULD HAVE HAD WAS THE FIRST PROBLEM THAT I HAD WHITH RUST.
NHTSA complaint #707485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warren, MI
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
THE BRACKET THAT HOLD THE STRAPS FOR THE FUEL TANK RUSTED VERY BADLY, BROKE AND THE FEUL TANK DROPPED WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING/DRAGGED AND RIPPED A HOLE IN THE GAS TANK THE SPARKS COULD HAVE LIT THE GAS ON FIRE AND POTENTAILY COULD HAVE KILLED MY WIFE AND SON IN THE CAR.THE REST OF THE CAR IS IN GOOD SHAPE VERY LITTLE RUST .WHY WAS THE BRACKETS THE FIRST THING TO GIVE WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE LAST THING TO RUST ?COULD THEY BE DEFECTIVE I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT THERE IS VERY LITTLE RUST ANY WHERE ELSE BUT WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN THE MOST DEADLY PROBLEM I COULD HAVE HAD WAS THE FIRST PROBLEM THAT I HAD WHITH RUST.
NHTSA complaint #707485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warren, MI
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
THE BRACKET THAT HOLD THE STRAPS FOR THE FUEL TANK RUSTED VERY BADLY, BROKE AND THE FEUL TANK DROPPED WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING/ DRAGGED AND RIPPED A HOLE IN THE GAS TANK THE SPARKS COULD HAVE LIT THE GAS ON FIRE AND POTENTAILY COULD HAVE KILLED MY WIFE AND SON IN THE CAR.THE REST OF THE CAR IS IN GOOD SHAPE VERY LITTLE RUST .WHY WAS THE BRACKETS THE FIRST THING TO GIVE WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE LAST THING TO RUST ?COULD THEY BE DEFECTIVE I WANT TO EMPHESIZE THAT THERE IS VERY LITTLE RUST ANY WHERE ELSE BUT WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN THE MOST DEADLY PROBLEM I COULD HAVE HAD WAS THE FIRST PROBLEM THAT I HAD WHITH RUST.
NHTSA complaint #707485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Bedfor, MA1 injured
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
VEHICLE DOES NOT CONTAIN SAFETY GLASS ON SIDE WINDOWS, VEHICLE COLLISION RESULTING IN CUTS TO FACE DUE TO GLASS.
NHTSA complaint #510891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Delrio, TX
SEATS
DRIVER SIDE SEAT TRACK AND ANCHORS MAKE CLICKING NOISE WHEN IN INCLINE POSTION AND FALLS BACK.
NHTSA complaint #807320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mentor, OH
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTON BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #505267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Slippery ROC, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHEN DRIVING CAR STALLS. PLEASE DESCRIBE .
NHTSA complaint #985861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bethel Park, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH HAS BURNING SMELL COMING FROM UNDER DASH; KILLS BATTERY.
NHTSA complaint #984561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bridgeport, CTFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE IGNITION AREA WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #983740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bridgeport, CTFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE IGNITION AREA WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #983740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kent, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
THE LIGHT FOR SPEEDOMETER IS OUT, CANNOT READ SPEED DAY OR NIGHT, CREATES POTENTIAL FOR ACCIDENT. TT
NHTSA complaint #969454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sparks, NV
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVER'S SHOULDER/LAP BELT BUCKLES INOPERATIVE, MALE WON'T STAY LATCHED INTO FEMALE PORTION. TT
NHTSA complaint #966643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mickle RD SP, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
FRONT BRAKES FAILED TWICE, BACK BRAKES FELL OFF. TT
NHTSA complaint #965846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodmere, NY
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT DOES NOT CLASP. TT
NHTSA complaint #965845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mickle RD SP, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
FRONT BRAKES FAILED TWICE, BACK BRAKES FELL OFF. TT
NHTSA complaint #965846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.