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
116.7%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
466.7%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
116.7%
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.
Jan 1995peak 7Jan 2009
NHTSA investigations into the 1991 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.
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
Recalls on the 1991 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.
91V048000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
Risk: IF PARK IS NOT ENGAGED AND THE PARKING BRAKE IS OFF, AVEHICLE ROLL-AWAY COULD RESULT.
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 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 1991056391 units in Canada
Powertrain
THE AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE TRANSMISSIONS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH A PARK ROD ASSEMBLY THAT INCLUDES A PARK CAM WITH INADEQUATE SURFACE HARDNESS. THIS COULD RESULT IN HIGH PARK DISENGAGEMENT FORCES OR IN NO PARK ENGAGEMENT WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION. THIS IN TURN COULD RESULT IN AN UNPOWERED VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY IF THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON AN INCLINE WITH THE PARKING BRAKE OFF. CORRECTION: PARK ROD ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Glendale, AZCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY UPON A LEFT TURN 45 DEGREE CONTACT TO LEFT FRONT.
NHTSA complaint #738455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Valley STR, NY1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELT FAILED DURING ACCIDENT RESULTING IN HEAD INJURIES TO THE DRIVER.
NHTSA complaint #544159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Patchogue, NYCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS
MADE A SUDDEN STOP ON DRY PAVEMENT THE VEHICLE SKIDDED 100 FEET, HIT A CURVE, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED. OCCUPANT HAD AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT ON, DRIVER WAS EJECTED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER, LANDING ON THE OCCUPANT.
NHTSA complaint #813791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Patchogue, NYCrash1 injured
TIRES
MADE A SUDDEN STOP ON DRY PAVEMENT THE VEHICLE SKIDDED 100 FEET, HIT A CURVE, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED. OCCUPANT HAD AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT ON, DRIVER WAS EJECTED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER, LANDING ON THE OCCUPANT.
NHTSA complaint #813791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yucaipa, CA1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE THROTTLE LINKAGE BROKE IN OPEN POSITION, CAUSING UNWANTED ACCELERATION AND OVERRIDING THE BRAKING SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #811418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, VAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #507701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 64,000 milesGarden City, MI
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS GO OUT FOR VARIOUS INTERVALS AND IS PRECEDED BY FLICKERING AND/OR BLINKING WHICH CAUSES LOSS OF VISIBILITY WHICH INCREASES MY RISK OF A CRASH. ALSO NOTE A BURNING SMELL FROM VENTS WHEN THIS HAPPENS. MY VEHICLE IS A 1991 COUGAR AND I WENT ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. NOTED RECALL FOR SAME PROBLEM ON 1992 AND 1993 MODELS NOT FOR 1991. CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MY MODEL SINCE IT HAS THE SAME ISSUE AS 1992 AND 1993 COUGARS. WAS TOLD NO RECALL FOR THIS AND TO PAY TO GET IT FIX MYSELF. THEY WOULD REPORT PROBLEM TO PROPER DEPARTMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10255020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 141,000 milesAurora, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH. THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS DIMMED AND THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CIRCUIT BREAKER HAD A SHORT CIRCUIT. RECALL NUMBER 99V275000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH) WAS FOUND. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 141,000.
NHTSA complaint #10197452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Panama City, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. IT IS NOT FIXED YET BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD IT.
NHTSA complaint #10149363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesST Louis, MO
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT: THE CONTACT STATED CAR WAS REVVING WHEN STARTING IT UP. WHEN PUTTING IT IN DRIVE IN WENT DOWN SOMEWHAT. IT FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO TAKE OFF BY ITSELF. THIS HAPPENED ON 8-31-05. BACK IN 1998 THE CONTACT WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. SHE TOOK IT TO A DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED A CHIP THAT HAD BROKEN UNDER THE HOOD. SHE FELT THIS WAS SAME PROBLEM THAT SHE EXPERIENCED IN 1998. THE CONTACT WAS PLANNING TO TAKE VEHICLE TO A DEALER CLOSE TO HER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. SHE WAS NOT GOING TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE SHE WAS AFRAID. SHE WILL HAVE IT TOWED.*AK UPDATED 11/2/2005 -
NHTSA complaint #10135063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,000 milesMartinsville, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED. AS A RESULT, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. *AK THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN MAKING NOISES SINCE IT WAS NEW. THE CONSUMER THOUGHT IT WAS NORMAL. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE PARTS. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10076168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesMorrow, GA
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
THE CAR STARTS AND RUNS WELL. BUT EVER SO OFTEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE ENGINE WILL STALL, AND THEN IT WILL CRANK RIGHT UP. LUCKY FOR ME IT HASN'T STALLED WHILE I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN WITH A SEMI BARRELING DOWN ON ME.
NHTSA complaint #10069593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesMorrow, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE CAR STARTS AND RUNS WELL. BUT EVER SO OFTEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE ENGINE WILL STALL, AND THEN IT WILL CRANK RIGHT UP. LUCKY FOR ME IT HASN'T STALLED WHILE I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN WITH A SEMI BARRELING DOWN ON ME.
NHTSA complaint #10069593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago Hieghts, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE WAS ACTING SLUGGISH AND WHITE MOKE CAME FORM TAILPIPE. VEHICLE WAS GOING 35MPH AND OVERHEATED, CAUSING DRIVER TO PULL OVER. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT CONTINUING TO DRIVE WILL CAUSE HEAD TO WARP. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #8012955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bayside, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER COMPLAINS OF HEAD GASKET FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #564227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bayside, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER COMPLAINS OF HEAD GASKET FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #564227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Rochelle, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING 15-20 MPH VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT, CONSUMER PULLED INTO SERVICE STATION TO HAVE VEHICLE INSPECTED, THE SERVICE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN. DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTATCED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #8001876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Catoosa, OK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEADLIGHTS GO OFF WHILE DRIVING, BRAKES CONTINUE TO MAKE NOISE, KEY SWITCH PROB. RECALL REPAIR, HEATER BLOWS COLD, CAR DIED AFTER EXCEL. RESTARTED AND DROVE 50 FT. DIED AGAIN AND KNOW IN SHOP & BEEN TOLD GASKETS OR BUSTED HEAD. I LOVE THIS CAR AND HAVE TAKEN EXTRA CARE, ENGINE AND CAR KEEP SPOTLESS, CAR IS NEVER LEFT OUTSIDE. ALL TOOK PLACE WITHIN 1 MO. IS IT ALL TIED TOGETHER WITH ONE THING?
NHTSA complaint #738145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glendale, AZCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY UPON A LEFT TURN 45 DEGREE CONTACT TO LEFT FRONT.
NHTSA complaint #738455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Evansville, IN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #725106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grantsville, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING WOULD STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP. ALSO, PEDAL FELT HARD.
NHTSA complaint #867395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Detroit, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHEN CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR CHECK UP,TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT ENGINE HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET WICH HAPPENED WITHOUT A WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #865979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Council Bluffs, IA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE HEAD GASKET WENT BAD EVEN AFTER ROUTINE REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND ONLY 80,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. ACCORDING TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND SEVERAL MECHANICS THIS IS EXTREMELY COMMON. I WAS FORTUNATE BECAUSE THE HEADS AND BLOCK WERE NOT CRACKED UNLIKE THE MAJORITY OF THE ONES THAT ARE SERVICED. IT SEEMS THAT IF THE 3.8 LITER HAS THIS PROBLEM THEN MAYBE THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW OR QUALITY PROBLEM WITH THE GASKET. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS WHEN HAVING THIS FIXED, THE STEERING PUMP FRONT GASKET USUALLY BREAKS WHEN THE BELT IS REMOVED, THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. IF I HAD KNOWN ABOUT THIS DESIGN FLAW IN THIS ENGINE I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED THIS OR ANY FORD VEHICLES WITH A 3.8 LITER ENGINE. ALSO WHY DON'T THE SEAT BELTS LOCK?
NHTSA complaint #722078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mahanoy City, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE HEAD GAKSET NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AT 60,000 MILES. THE FORD DEALER "SHAVED" THE GASKET. THE HEAD GASKET IS NOW SHOT AT 98,000 MILES. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD VIA THE INTERNET AND PHONE BUT HAVE HAD NO SUCCESS. FORD HAS ADMITTED TO A DEFECT IN THIS SAME ENGINE IN THE 1994-95 TAURUSES, SABLES, CONTINENTALS, COUGARS, THUNDERBIRDS, MUSTANGS AND WINDSTARS AND OFFERED REIMBURSEMENT AND/OR MONEY TOWARDS A NEW VEHICLE (SEE APRIL 26, 2000 EDITION OF DETROIT NEWS AUTO SECTION - WWW.DETNEWS.COM).
NHTSA complaint #721947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Council Bluffs, IA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE HEAD GASKET WENT BAD EVEN AFTER ROUTINE REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND ONLY 80,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. ACCORDING TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND SEVERAL MECHANICS THIS IS EXTREMELY COMMON. I WAS FORTUNATE BECAUSE THE HEADS AND BLOCK WERE NOT CRACKED UNLIKE THE MAJORITY OF THE ONES THAT ARE SERVICED. IT SEEMS THAT IF THE 3.8 LITER HAS THIS PROBLEM THEN MAYBE THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW OR QUALITY PROBLEM WITH THE GASKET. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS WHEN HAVING THIS FIXED, THE STEERING PUMP FRONT GASKET USUALLY BREAKS WHEN THE BELT IS REMOVED, THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. IF I HAD KNOWN ABOUT THIS DESIGN FLAW IN THIS ENGINE I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED THIS OR ANY FORD VEHICLES WITH A 3.8 LITER ENGINE. ALSO WHY DON'T THE SEAT BELTS LOCK?
NHTSA complaint #722078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elkhart, IN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #722729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wixom, MI
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK VERY SLOW, MAKE A HUMMING NOISE AND STOP WORKING. NLM
NHTSA complaint #546242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bentonville, AR
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
GAS TANK IS LEAKING AT THE TOP OF THE TANK. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #550610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Paris, MI
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY HEADLIGHTS STARTED TO DIM , AND WENT TOTALLY OUT. PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF ROAD. THEY CAME BACK ON AFTER WAITING 10 MINUTES. DROVE ABOUT ANOTHER TEN MILES, IT HAPPENED AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #855817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bentonville, AR
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
GAS TANK LEAKS WHEN FILLED COMPLETELY, INDICATING A LEAK AT THE TOP OF THE TANK OR GAS LINES GOING INTO THE TANK. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD SEVERAL TIMES BUT THEY SAY IT IS NOT COVERED. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY A ROAD HAZARD SINCE IT IS AT THE TOP OF THE TANK. FORD SAID THEY WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR SINCE IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. THEY DID AGREE IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #717423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hunt Station, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
EGR VALVE AND SENSOR FAILED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #604450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.