Owners have filed 160 complaints
about the 1995 Mercury Cougar with NHTSA between 1995 and 2020.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 9 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 36
Against the median year of the Mercury Cougar. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 74
14.4% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 31
18% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
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.
Under 1,000 miles
19.1%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
218.2%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
436.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
19.1%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
218.2%
150,000+ miles
19.1%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA
rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that
ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do
not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
1995 Mercury Cougar 2-DR.
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—
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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 11Oct 2020
NHTSA investigations into the 1995 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.
EA01001Opened 5 Jan 2001Closed 31 Jul 2001ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
NEW Orleans, LACrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK TO THE FLOOR, AND THE CAR JUST OFF BY IT SELF FOR A 1/4 MILE.
NHTSA complaint #745953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Perry, GAFire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
PLASTIC HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS MELTED AND BOTH LIGHT SOCKETS WERE BURNED BLACK. THIS HAD SMOKED ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. BULBS BEING USED ARE TOO HOT FOR ASSEMBLY, AS THERE IS NO AIR VENITLATION FOR THE HEAT TO BE VENTED. I WILL NOW HAVE TO REPLACE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY. WHILE IT DID NOT CAUSE A FIRE, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A SOURCE OF IGNITION SINCE THE PLASTIC HAD MELTED AND WAS ACTUALLY TOUCHING THE BULB. LUCKILY, THE BULB BLEW AND A FIRE DID NOT OCCUR.
NHTSA complaint #740072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grand Blamc, MICrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
MASTER CYLINDER WENT COMPLETLY OUT, AND CONSUMER CRASHED INTO ANOTHER CAR. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND THEY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #851274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dayton, OHCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG WHEN REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSED INJURY TO THE DRIVER.
NHTSA complaint #544004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dayton, OHCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELT CAME LOOSE WHEN REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #544004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dayton, OHCrash1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
SEAT BACK BROKE DURING REAR END COLLISION CAUSING INJURY TO THE DRIVER.
NHTSA complaint #544004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 100,000 milesStafford, VA
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DROVE DIFFERENTLY AT DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHUT-OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE PURVIS FORD INC LOCATED AT 3660 JEFFERSON DAVIS HWY #1, FREDERICKSBURG, VA 22408, WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IT COULD BE THE IGNITION MODULE, DISTRIBUTOR, OR THE POWER CONTROL MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A MESSAGE WAS LEFT ON THE VOICEMAIL RECORDER. THE CONTACT WAS NOT CALLED BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #11363218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7 milesStafford, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING ALONG HWY ABOUT 40 MILES AN HOUR WHEN CAR ENGINE STOPS. THIS STOPS POWER STEERING, BRAKES ETC. TO STOP WORKING AND YOU HAVE A HARD TIME PULLING OFF THE ROAD. WAITED ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND CAR COOLS DOWN A LITTLE. IT WILL THEN START UP AGAIN AND YOU CAN GO AGAIN FOR ABOUT 1/2 MILE OR SO AND ENGINE DIES AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #11363202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesStafford, VA
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DROVE DIFFERENTLY AT DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHUT-OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE PURVIS FORD INC LOCATED AT 3660 JEFFERSON DAVIS HWY #1, FREDERICKSBURG, VA 22408, WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IT COULD BE THE IGNITION MODULE, DISTRIBUTOR, OR THE POWER CONTROL MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A MESSAGE WAS LEFT ON THE VOICEMAIL RECORDER. THE CONTACT WAS NOT CALLED BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #11363218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesLewistion, MN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN SLOWING DOWN FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS, APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, I TAPPED THE BRAKES TO DISENGAGE THE CRUSE CONTROL, AFTER MAKING MY EXIT IN TO A RESIDENTIAL AREA THE CRUSE CONTROL TRIED TO RESUME MY LAST RECORDED SPEED WITHOUT ME PRESSING ANY OF THE CRUSE CONTROLS. THE CAR REACHED ABOUT 50MPH IN A 35MPH ZONE AND THE RPM'S SPIKED TO ABOUT 5000 BEFORE I HAD TO MANUALLY TURN OFF THE CRUSE CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #10761424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Erie, PA
SUSPENSION:FRONT
DT: THE CONTACT STATED APPROXIMATELY 18 MONTHS AGO HE HAD THE FRONT END REDONE. THIRTEEN MONTHS LATER THE LEFT BALL JOINT FAILED AND IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THEN, HE NOTICED Y THAT THE RIGHT BALL JOINT MALFUNCTIONED. UPON CONTACTING THE DEALERSHIP, THEY STATED THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.
NHTSA complaint #10144683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Erie, PA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
DT: THE CONTACT STATED APPROXIMATELY 18 MONTHS AGO HE HAD THE FRONT END REDONE. THIRTEEN MONTHS LATER THE LEFT BALL JOINT FAILED AND IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THEN, HE NOTICED Y THAT THE RIGHT BALL JOINT MALFUNCTIONED. UPON CONTACTING THE DEALERSHIP, THEY STATED THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.
NHTSA complaint #10144683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Erie, PA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
DT: THE CONTACT STATED APPROXIMATELY 18 MONTHS AGO HE HAD THE FRONT END REDONE. THIRTEEN MONTHS LATER THE LEFT BALL JOINT FAILED AND IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THEN, HE NOTICED Y THAT THE RIGHT BALL JOINT MALFUNCTIONED. UPON CONTACTING THE DEALERSHIP, THEY STATED THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.
NHTSA complaint #10144683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesBrighton, MI
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
ONE DAY I WENT OUT TO MY CAR TO GO TO WORK AND THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE APPARENT. I PROCEEDED TO START MY CAR AND FOUND IT SLOW TO START THOUGH IT DID START UP AFTER A BIT.THAT EVENING AFTER WORK AGAIN THERE WAS A GAS SMELL AND AGAIN IT TOOK LONGER TO FIRE UP.UPON ARRIVING HOME THERE WAS A BIG WET SPOT ON MY GARAGE FLOOR WHICH WAS OBVIOUSLY GASOLINE AND AT WORK THE NEXT DAY ANOTHER PUDDLE OF GAS WHERE I NORMALLY PARK. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THEY TOLD ME MY FUEL LINES HAD WORN THROUGH [CHAFED] IF YOU WILL BY IMPROPER INSTALLATION. BEING THE FUEL SYSTEM IS UNDER PRESSURE AND THE LINE WORE THROUGH THIS IS THE REASON THE CAR STARTED SLOWER THAN NORMAL ANDWHY THERE WAS A GASOLINE SMELL.LUCKILY THIS FAILURE DIDN'T CAUSE A FIRE IN MY CAR ESPECIALLY SINCE IT WAS IN MY GARAGE THOUGH THE MECHANIC SAID IT COULD HAVE. THE FUEL TANK HAD TO BE REMOVED AND REINSTALLED ALONG WITH THE PURCHASE AND REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE FUEL LINES FROM THE FUEL TANK TO THE ENGINE AT AN UNNECESSARY EXPENSE TO ME. I READ A CONSUMER REPORTS ARTICLE ABOUT RECALLS FOR 92 -93 MERCURY COUGARS AND ANOTHER ONE FOR 97 COUGARS AND AM REPORTING THIS SAME PROBLEM ON MY 1995 COUGAR.
NHTSA complaint #10108317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,000 milesSims, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
TRANSMISSION WAS NOT PERFORMING. WELL. CONSUMER STATED THAT GEARS WERE NOT CHANGING, AND THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10106714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,000 milesSims, NC
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
TRANSMISSION WAS NOT PERFORMING. WELL. CONSUMER STATED THAT GEARS WERE NOT CHANGING, AND THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10106714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,000 milesSims, NC
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
TRANSMISSION WAS NOT PERFORMING. WELL. CONSUMER STATED THAT GEARS WERE NOT CHANGING, AND THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10106714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beaumont, TX
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
INFORMATION REQUEST CONCERNING RECALLS OR MECHANICAL PROBLEMS FOR THE 1995 MERCURY COUGAR.*MR *CB
NHTSA complaint #10051724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,296 milesCoral Springs, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ODOMETER STOPPED AT 40,296. I HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER OWNERS OF MY SAME CAR AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10045497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,000 milesRahway, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
BLEW A HEAD GASKET IN MY 1995 MERCURY COUGAR DUE TO A RECALL THAT WAS NOT PERFORMED BY BELL FORD ON MAY 23, 2002 WHEN THE CAR WAS BROUGHT IN FOR THAT REASON ONLY. WHEN I CONTACTED BELL FORD AND MERCURY ON MARCH 27, 2003, NEITHER WILL PAY FOR THE WORK THAT NOW NEEDS TO BE DONE. I AM NOW LEFT WITHOUT A CAR UNTIL IT IS FIXED AND A LARGE BILL TO PAY WHEN THIS COULD HAVE ALL BEEN AVOIDED IF THE RECALL WAS DONE WHEN MY CAR WAS BROUGHT IN. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10013654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesBrooklyn Park, MN
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING
MULTI- FUNCTIONAL SWITCH FOR (SIGNALS, BRIGHT LIGHTS, FLASHER AND WIPERS DEFECTIVE).
NHTSA complaint #10011086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Bedford, MA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE ENGINE SEIGE UP CAUSING TO SHUT DOWN AT HIGHWAY SPEED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
NHTSA complaint #10004820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wildwood, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER STATED THAT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON AND RPM'S JUMP FROM 2000 TO 3000 CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE ALL POWER. THE DEALER CHANGED MAIN SENSOR AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PROBLEM STOPPED, BUT RPM'S PROBLEM CONTINUED. DEALER CHANGED SPEED SENSOR AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. FINALLY THE HEAD GASKETS WERE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #567853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL INJECTION LINES WERE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED, THIS CAUSED FRICTION AGAINST THE FUEL TANK AND CHAFED A HOLE THROUGH THE FUEL LINE, CAUSING A LEAK. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #564020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pompano Beach, FL
POWER TRAIN
CONSUMER STATES ODOMETER IS INOPERATIVE, DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8008965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Matawan, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
A GREEN FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, LOCATED CRACKS IN RADIATOR, DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER ANTI-FREEZE WAS LEAKING. *AK
NHTSA complaint #8003578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Matawan, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
A GREEN FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, LOCATED CRACKS IN RADIATOR, DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER ANTI-FREEZE WAS LEAKING. *AK
NHTSA complaint #8003578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL INJECTION LINES WERE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED, THIS CAUSED FRICTION AGAINST THE FUEL TANK AND CHAFED A HOLE THROUGH THE FUEL LINE, CAUSING A LEAK. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #564020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Orleans, LACrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK TO THE FLOOR, AND THE CAR JUST OFF BY IT SELF FOR A 1/4 MILE.
NHTSA complaint #745953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hudson, FL
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #559269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hudson, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE COATING ON THE DASH BEZELS CAUSES THEM TO MELT. NLM
NHTSA complaint #559269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.