FaultScore report
Owners have filed 49 complaints about the 1987 Mercury Cougar with NHTSA between 1995 and 2023. The largest single group is the electrical system.
49
Complaints
7
Crashes reported
11
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
3 crashes, 1 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
0 crashes, 1 fires
1 crashes, 1 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
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.
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.
FAULTY SEAT BELT BUCKLES
FAULTY SEATBELT BUCKLES
FLOORMAT/ACCEL PEDAL INTRF
===
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Risk: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
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.
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
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
POWER TRAIN
Brake pads constantly keeps running out on front driver, passenger front brakes are still good but rotor keeps running out unevenly, no brake fluid leaks but needs refill every 3rd about 3/4 of a pints bottle, making a left turn it accelerated by itself brakes didn't react, instead of causing in a big accident, pulled the steering wheel, went through a fence and a brick wall stopped my car, checked all fuses replaced fuses if needed, confirmed fuses AMP Ganges with the vehicle own owners manual, dashboard backlights keeps going on and off on it's own, automatic transmission after complete stop it sets it self at neutral , a few taps on the gas pedal then it goes to 1st shift, only has 129,000 miles, 1987 Mercury Cougar LS 5.0l windsor engine, 20th Anniversary Edition
NHTSA complaint #11534721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Brake pads constantly keeps running out on front driver, passenger front brakes are still good but rotor keeps running out unevenly, no brake fluid leaks but needs refill every 3rd about 3/4 of a pints bottle, making a left turn it accelerated by itself brakes didn't react, instead of causing in a big accident, pulled the steering wheel, went through a fence and a brick wall stopped my car, checked all fuses replaced fuses if needed, confirmed fuses AMP Ganges with the vehicle own owners manual, dashboard backlights keeps going on and off on it's own, automatic transmission after complete stop it sets it self at neutral , a few taps on the gas pedal then it goes to 1st shift, only has 129,000 miles, 1987 Mercury Cougar LS 5.0l windsor engine, 20th Anniversary Edition
NHTSA complaint #11534721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
Brake pads constantly keeps running out on front driver, passenger front brakes are still good but rotor keeps running out unevenly, no brake fluid leaks but needs refill every 3rd about 3/4 of a pints bottle, making a left turn it accelerated by itself brakes didn't react, instead of causing in a big accident, pulled the steering wheel, went through a fence and a brick wall stopped my car, checked all fuses replaced fuses if needed, confirmed fuses AMP Ganges with the vehicle own owners manual, dashboard backlights keeps going on and off on it's own, automatic transmission after complete stop it sets it self at neutral , a few taps on the gas pedal then it goes to 1st shift, only has 129,000 miles, 1987 Mercury Cougar LS 5.0l windsor engine, 20th Anniversary Edition
NHTSA complaint #11534721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE THE GARAGE AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO ELECTRICAL WIRING SHORT.
NHTSA complaint #837631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
AFTER VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED. FIRE OCCURRED IN RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF VEHICLE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. POSSIBLE FUEL RELATED FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #826408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE IGNITION SWITCH SNAPPED AND A FIRE STARTED WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION.
NHTSA complaint #810571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
POWER TRAIN
Brake pads constantly keeps running out on front driver, passenger front brakes are still good but rotor keeps running out unevenly, no brake fluid leaks but needs refill every 3rd about 3/4 of a pints bottle, making a left turn it accelerated by itself brakes didn't react, instead of causing in a big accident, pulled the steering wheel, went through a fence and a brick wall stopped my car, checked all fuses replaced fuses if needed, confirmed fuses AMP Ganges with the vehicle own owners manual, dashboard backlights keeps going on and off on it's own, automatic transmission after complete stop it sets it self at neutral , a few taps on the gas pedal then it goes to 1st shift, only has 129,000 miles, 1987 Mercury Cougar LS 5.0l windsor engine, 20th Anniversary Edition
NHTSA complaint #11534721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Brake pads constantly keeps running out on front driver, passenger front brakes are still good but rotor keeps running out unevenly, no brake fluid leaks but needs refill every 3rd about 3/4 of a pints bottle, making a left turn it accelerated by itself brakes didn't react, instead of causing in a big accident, pulled the steering wheel, went through a fence and a brick wall stopped my car, checked all fuses replaced fuses if needed, confirmed fuses AMP Ganges with the vehicle own owners manual, dashboard backlights keeps going on and off on it's own, automatic transmission after complete stop it sets it self at neutral , a few taps on the gas pedal then it goes to 1st shift, only has 129,000 miles, 1987 Mercury Cougar LS 5.0l windsor engine, 20th Anniversary Edition
NHTSA complaint #11534721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
Brake pads constantly keeps running out on front driver, passenger front brakes are still good but rotor keeps running out unevenly, no brake fluid leaks but needs refill every 3rd about 3/4 of a pints bottle, making a left turn it accelerated by itself brakes didn't react, instead of causing in a big accident, pulled the steering wheel, went through a fence and a brick wall stopped my car, checked all fuses replaced fuses if needed, confirmed fuses AMP Ganges with the vehicle own owners manual, dashboard backlights keeps going on and off on it's own, automatic transmission after complete stop it sets it self at neutral , a few taps on the gas pedal then it goes to 1st shift, only has 129,000 miles, 1987 Mercury Cougar LS 5.0l windsor engine, 20th Anniversary Edition
NHTSA complaint #11534721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WINDSHIELD INOPERABLE.
NHTSA complaint #562351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE WOULD STALL.*AK THE VEHICLE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT GOES SMOTH AGAIN. THE TECHNICIANS AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPT DISCOVERED THAT THE TFI IGNITION MODUELE FAILURE WAS THE CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #885275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE WOULD STALL.*AK THE VEHICLE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT GOES SMOTH AGAIN. THE TECHNICIANS AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPT DISCOVERED THAT THE TFI IGNITION MODUELE FAILURE WAS THE CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #885275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
A PENNY, NICKLE, AND A QUARTER FELL INTO THE FEMALE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, PROBABLY OVER TIME FROM POCKETS AND/OR THE CONSOLE. THE TONGUE AND BUCKLE JAMMED AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE DRIVER CUT HERSELF OUT WITH A SISSORS AFTER BEING TRAPPED. THE TONGUE COULD BE RELEASED FROM THE BUCKLE BY SLIPPING A THIN SCREWDRIVER ALONG THE SIDE OF THE TONGUE INTO THE BUCKLE AND PUSHING DOWN. REINSERTING THE TONGUE INTO THE BUCKLE WITH THE COINS IN IT CAUSED THE SAME JAM WITH THE SAME PROCEDURE TO RE-RELEASE. NO EXPERIMENT WAS PERFORMED TO FIND OUT HOW MANY OR WHICH COIN WAS CAUSING THE JAM, ALL, ONE OR SOME. THE BUCKLE STICKS UP IN THE AIR LIKE A COIN SLOT. NO CHILDREN WOULD HAVE PUT COINS IN THE SLOT SO THEY MUST HAVE GOT IN INADVERTENTLY FROM POCKETS OR THE CONSOLE.
NHTSA complaint #734996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
VEHICLE KEEPS STALLING DUE TO A TFI MODULE THAT WAS PLACED TOO CLOSE TO ENGINE WHICH WILL OVERHEAT. CONSUMER IS AWARE OF NATIONAL CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
NHTSA complaint #872880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE THE GARAGE AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO ELECTRICAL WIRING SHORT.
NHTSA complaint #837631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THE WIRE PIPE MADE A LOUD NOISE. WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE MADE A POPPING NOISE. DEALER CONTACTED AND ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR. ALSO, TOOK THE HEATER CORE APART, AND THERE IS NOW NO HEAT IN THE VEHICLE, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.
NHTSA complaint #828904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
THE WIRE PIPE MADE A LOUD NOISE. WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE MADE A POPPING NOISE. DEALER CONTACTED AND ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR. ALSO, TOOK THE HEATER CORE APART, AND THERE IS NOW NO HEAT IN THE VEHICLE, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.
NHTSA complaint #828904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
THE WIRE PIPE MADE A LOUD NOISE. WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE MADE A POPPING NOISE. DEALER CONTACTED AND ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR. ALSO, TOOK THE HEATER CORE APART, AND THERE IS NOW NO HEAT IN THE VEHICLE, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.
NHTSA complaint #828904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
AFTER VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED. FIRE OCCURRED IN RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF VEHICLE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. POSSIBLE FUEL RELATED FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #826408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
UNSPECIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #537462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE IGNITION SWITCH SNAPPED AND A FIRE STARTED WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION.
NHTSA complaint #810571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE STUCK.
NHTSA complaint #514838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRING, CAUSING THE WIRING IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO BURN OUT.
NHTSA complaint #807611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
RIGHT FRONT BRAKE ROTOR RUSTED.
NHTSA complaint #506870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
AFTER PARKING, MOMENTS LATER FOUND FLAMES SHOOTING FROM UNDER HOOD, ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE FOR NO APPARENT REASON.
NHTSA complaint #986668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED DUE TO DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH, THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS.
NHTSA complaint #985260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN, IGNITION SWITCH BURNT, NO FLAMES.
NHTSA complaint #985298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE CAR HAS GONE HAYWIRE DUE TO THE IGNITON SWITCH. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GOES OUT AND THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF. *AK VEHICLE WOULD GO ON FINE, WOULD PULL OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND THE RADIO WOULD TURN OFF TURN THE CORNER AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT, VEHICLE WOULD START BACK UP AND MAYBE THE RADIO WOULD COME BACK ON.
NHTSA complaint #985217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE CAR HAS GONE HAYWIRE DUE TO THE IGNITON SWITCH. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GOES OUT AND THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF. *AK VEHICLE WOULD GO ON FINE, WOULD PULL OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND THE RADIO WOULD TURN OFF TURN THE CORNER AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT, VEHICLE WOULD START BACK UP AND MAYBE THE RADIO WOULD COME BACK ON.
NHTSA complaint #985217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE CAR HAS GONE HAYWIRE DUE TO THE IGNITON SWITCH. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GOES OUT AND THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF. *AK VEHICLE WOULD GO ON FINE, WOULD PULL OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND THE RADIO WOULD TURN OFF TURN THE CORNER AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT, VEHICLE WOULD START BACK UP AND MAYBE THE RADIO WOULD COME BACK ON.
NHTSA complaint #985217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
AFTER PARKING MOMENT LATER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #984500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.