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.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
342.9%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
114.3%
150,000+ miles
342.9%
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.
Feb 1995peak 9Jul 2018
NHTSA investigations into the 1990 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.
PE95019Opened 27 Mar 1995Closed 31 Jul 1995SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
FAULTY SEATBELT BUCKLES
EA93033Opened 30 Dec 1993Closed 30 Dec 1994VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHING
PE93075Opened 30 Aug 1993Closed 30 Dec 1993VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHING
EA90034Opened 26 Jun 1990Closed 25 Feb 1992STRUCTURE
HOOD LATCHES FAIL
PE90073Opened 11 Apr 1990Closed 26 Jun 1990STRUCTURE
HOOD LATCHES FAIL
Recalls on the 1990 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
96V071000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
91V076000
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
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.
Risk: CHANGES IN THE WIPER PATTERN OR JAMMING OF THE WIPERSWOULD RESULT IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILTY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS.
90V026000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
BATTERY TO STARTER CABLES ARE LONGER THAN SPECIFIED; EXCESSIVE CABLE LENGTH COULD CONTACT ENGINE DAMPER PULLEY.
Risk: CABLE PROTECTIVE COVERING AND INSULATION COULD WEAR THROUGH AND CAUSE A DIRECT SHORT TO GROUND, RESULTING IN OVERHEATING OF THE CABLE INSULATION AND POSSIBLY A UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 1995212834,368 units in Canada
Electrical
A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD DEVELOP IN THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE OR UNATTENDED. CORRECTION: IGNITION SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REVISED DESIGN SWITCH.
Recall 1994041318 units in Canada
Emissions
NOTE: THUNDERBIRD SUPER COUPE AND COUGAR XR7 EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND 3.8 LITRE SUPERCHARGED ENGINE. THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. HIGHER THAN ANTICIPATED EXHAUST SYSTEM TEMPERATURES MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CATALYST THEREBY INCREASING EXHAUST EMISSION LEVELS IN EXCESS OF THE STANDARD. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL REPLACE EXHAUST SYSTEM CATALYST ASSEMBLY AND POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE.
Recall 1992077464,543 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
NOTE: ALSO INCLUDES SOME MEDIUM AND HEAVY TRUCKS. THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 108 - LIGHTING. DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT MODULE MAY MALFUNCTION WHICH CAN RESULT IN DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS THAT DIM, FLICKER OR GO OFF OR IN SOME INSTANCES MAY REMAIN ON AFTER THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. CORRECTION: DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT MODULE WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Recall 19910736,677 units in Canada
Visual System
THE NUTS WHICH HOLD THE WIPER MOTOR TO THE WIPER MODULE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED AND MAY LOOSEN OR COME OFF. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE WIPER PATTERN MAY SHIFT OR, IN SOME CASES, THE WIPER MAY JAM OF TWO OF THE THREE NUTS HAVE COME OFF. JAMMED WIPERS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS. CORRECTION: MOUNTING NUTS/STUDS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR LOCTITE AND WILL BE REINSTALLED AND TORQUED WITH LOCTITE IF REQUIRED.
Recall 1990104300 units in Canada
Emissions
NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND 3.8L SUPERCHARGED ENGINE. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1101- EMISSION DEVICE. INCORRECT DECALS, VEHICLE EMISSION AND CONTROL INFORMATION.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 89,000 milesBaton Rouge, LAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED ON AND WITHIN SECONDS THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ADVISED THE FIRE ORIGINATED AT A FUSE BOX LOCATED IN THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
NHTSA complaint #10558771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Haven, CTCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE CONSUMER PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR AND ACCELERATED WAY TOO FAST AND HE BOLTED FORWARD STRIKING A CONCRETE BARRIER. *DT CONSUMER SENT ADDITIONAL LETTER REGARDING RESULTS FROM INCIDENT. *TGW 04/06/10 THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE THROTTLE LINKAGE WAS DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10313173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Southlake, TXFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE FIRE. MJS
NHTSA complaint #546132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Crown Point, INCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED,CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #835893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chalmette, LAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FIRE DUE TO POSSIBLE RECALL COMPONENT (IGNITION SWITCH) FAILURE, NO NOTICE OF RECALL SENT TO CONSUMER PRIOR TO FIRE (#95S28).
NHTSA complaint #543889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winter Haven, FLFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE TWICE, COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURIES. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#.
NHTSA complaint #836198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 235,000 milesTruth OR Consequences, NM
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SEAT BELT DOESN'T STAY LOCKED AND LATCH BROKE, AUTOMATIC HEAD LIGHTS DON'T WORK THE DIGITAL INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DON'T WORK AND AS SOON AS IS GETS SO HOT IT VAPER LOCKS A LOT
NHTSA complaint #11112292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 235,000 milesTruth OR Consequences, NM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SEAT BELT DOESN'T STAY LOCKED AND LATCH BROKE, AUTOMATIC HEAD LIGHTS DON'T WORK THE DIGITAL INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DON'T WORK AND AS SOON AS IS GETS SO HOT IT VAPER LOCKS A LOT
NHTSA complaint #11112292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 235,000 milesTruth OR Consequences, NM
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
SEAT BELT DOESN'T STAY LOCKED AND LATCH BROKE, AUTOMATIC HEAD LIGHTS DON'T WORK THE DIGITAL INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DON'T WORK AND AS SOON AS IS GETS SO HOT IT VAPER LOCKS A LOT
NHTSA complaint #11112292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 61,800 milesSmyrna, DE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AFTER STARTING VEHICLE FLICKERING ON OFF OF DASH LIGHTS,PANEL COMPLETELY OUT AND NOW WILL NOT COME BACK ON,CREATING AN ISSUE DRIVING,UNABLE TO SEE SPEED,MILAGE GAS USAGE,WHEN CHECKING UNDER HOOD I WAS GIVEN AN ELECTRICAL SHOCK,THE MOTOR WAS RUNNING,IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF MOTOR
NHTSA complaint #11024160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesSmyrna, DE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HEAVY TRAFFIC ON STATE HIGHWAY ENGINE OVERHEATING ALARM ACTIVATED,INCIDENT HAS OCCURED TWICE,IN TRAFFIC,EVERYTHING HAD TO BE TURNED OFF AND I HAD TO PULL OFF OF HIGHWAY, OTHER COMPLAINT DASH PANEL LIGHTS OUT WITH DEFINITELY ELECTRICAL ISSUE,ALMOST WILL NOT START,THIS OCCURED WHILE DRIVING AND NOW EILL NOT COME BACK ON AT ALL
NHTSA complaint #11024101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesSmyrna, DE
ENGINE
HEAVY TRAFFIC ON STATE HIGHWAY ENGINE OVERHEATING ALARM ACTIVATED,INCIDENT HAS OCCURED TWICE,IN TRAFFIC,EVERYTHING HAD TO BE TURNED OFF AND I HAD TO PULL OFF OF HIGHWAY, OTHER COMPLAINT DASH PANEL LIGHTS OUT WITH DEFINITELY ELECTRICAL ISSUE,ALMOST WILL NOT START,THIS OCCURED WHILE DRIVING AND NOW EILL NOT COME BACK ON AT ALL
NHTSA complaint #11024101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,000 milesBaton Rouge, LAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED ON AND WITHIN SECONDS THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ADVISED THE FIRE ORIGINATED AT A FUSE BOX LOCATED IN THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
NHTSA complaint #10558771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Haven, CTCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE CONSUMER PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR AND ACCELERATED WAY TOO FAST AND HE BOLTED FORWARD STRIKING A CONCRETE BARRIER. *DT CONSUMER SENT ADDITIONAL LETTER REGARDING RESULTS FROM INCIDENT. *TGW 04/06/10 THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE THROTTLE LINKAGE WAS DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10313173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clearwater, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
TWO YEARS AGO THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER NHTSA # 96V071000. DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. ONE YEAR LATER THE RECALLED COMPONENT FAILED AND THIS TIME AN INDEPENDENT SHOP REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. ONCE AGAIN THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10080252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Park Ridge, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #565699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Park Ridge, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE VEHICLE'S CAMSHAFT SENSOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED .
NHTSA complaint #565699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BEL AIR, MD
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE WINDOWS CANNOT REMAIN ON TRACK. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON WINDOWS COMING OFF TRACK, DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THEY HAVE FIXED OTHER COUGAR WITH THIS PROBLEM, CONSUMER STATED SHE WILL BE DRIVING AND THE WINDOWS WILL JUST FALL DOWN AT TIMES, WINDOWS WILL JUST COMPLETELY GO DOWN IN THE DOOR, CONSUMER HAS TO PAY SOMEONE TO TAKE THE DOOR APART TO GET THE WINDOWS OUT.
NHTSA complaint #896788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Valparaiso, IN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION WENT BAD. FORD NO LONGER MAKES THE PART. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #888486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lombard, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEADS/HEAD GASKETS HAD CAUSED VEHICLE TO OVER-HEAT AS WELL AS SHUT ITSELF DOWN DURING MOTION. PROBLEM WERE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF HOWARD PONTIAC DEALERSHIP AS WELL AS PRESIDENT, THE FOLLOWING DAY USED CAR MANAGER DEAN SCHULATZ HAD OFFERED TO MAKE ANOTHER EVEN TRADE WITH ME TO A OLDSMOBILE ACHEIVA SO HE COULD PUT THE VEHICLE I WERE CURRENTLY OPERATTING BACK IN SERVICE AND DO THE REPAIR WORK NEEDED TO MAKE IT A SAFE VEHICLE FOR THE ROAD, BUT UPON FINDING OUT THAT I HAVE PUT THIS VEHICLE IN A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP HE HAD DECLINED TO COME FORTH WITH THE MONEY TO DO THE REPAIR WORK ,HE WOULD HAVE FOUND IF HE HAD SERVICED THISVEHICLE PRIOR TO THE SALE OF THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #740927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Drummond Island, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE HEAD GASKET FAILED CAUSING WATER AND ANIT-FREEZE TO LEAK INTO THE MOTOR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE NO HEAT. SLC
NHTSA complaint #785219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EL Sobrante, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #735763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Valparaiso, IN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #734140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fresno, CA
SEAT BELTS
DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELT WILL NOT RETRAC/ IT COMPLETELY FAILED/ WILL NO LONGER FUNCTION, CAUSING LOSS OF SHOULDER RESTRAINT AND PROTECTION. POSSIBLY CAUSED BY FAILURE OF MOTOR OR BELTS.
NHTSA complaint #873486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Minneapolis, MN
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
ALSO THE FIRST YEAR I OWNED THE CAR, THE PAINT ON THE FRONT BUMPER STARTED COMING OFF, AND THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT MOTOR WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #730731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Minneapolis, MN
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
ALSO THE FIRST YEAR I OWNED THE CAR, THE PAINT ON THE FRONT BUMPER STARTED COMING OFF, AND THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT MOTOR WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #730731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fresno, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
REPLACED ACCUMULATOR ON THE ABS ASSEMBLY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM OF INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF BRAKES WHILE TRAVELING 40+ MILES PER HOUR. FOLLOWING THIS PERFORMED ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND HYDRALIC AND PUMP ASSEMBLY LEAKING RENDERING THE CAR UNROADWORTHY AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. ADVISED THE ABS FAILURE IS A REPORTABLE SAFETY CONCERN AND MAY BE A BASIS FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF COST FROM MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA complaint #722951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Little Falls, NJ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 60 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL NOT BEING ENGAGED, ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND TOOK OFF. THIS PROBLEM ALSO OCCURRED ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS AT 30-35 MPH. DEALER REPLACED THROTTLE CONTROL VALVE AND CLEANED OUT THROTTLE BODY. *AK
NHTSA complaint #860625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Willow Springs, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THIE 3.8 ENG IS THE SAME AS THE RECALLS ON OTHER FORD VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #721311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Ariel, PA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED ON A FEW OCCASSION AND THEN LATER THEY WENT OFF AND ON. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE YOU COULDN'T DRIVE THE CAR FOR FEAR THE LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT AND YOU WOULD CREATE OR BE IN AN ACCIDENT. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR A FEW MONTHS UNTIL MY BROTHER BORROWED THE CAR FOR A WEEK AND THE PROBLEM RETURNED . IT WAS VERY BAD THAT WEEK. THE LIGHTS WENT OUT AT LEAST ONCE EVERYDAY. I CHANGED THE HEADLIGHT BULB AND CHECKED THE GROUNDS, THE WIRING SYSTEM FOR LOOSE WIRE. I COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING. I WENT TO THE PART STORE TO INQUIRE IF THEY HAD ANY IDEA WHAT COULD BE WRONG AND THEY SAID "IS IT A FORD PRODUCT". I SAID YES AND THEY SAID FORD HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHT SWITCHES. I COULDN'T IMAGINE ANYTHING AS SERIOUS AS THIS PROBLEM WHICH THEY CLASSIFIED AS A KNOW PROBLEM AND NO CORRECTIVE ACTION WAS TAKEN. I CHANGED THE LIGHT SWITCH AND THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED. I CAN'T IMAGINE A DEFECT MORE DANGEROUS THAN HAVING YOUR HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #720869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, TX
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHO I CAN TAKE IT TO REPAIR THE FRONT SEAT BELT. ITS THE MANUAL LAP PART THAT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR HELP. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION.
NHTSA complaint #720218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.