Model year record

1990 Mercury Cougar recalls & problems

The 1990 Mercury Cougar has 3 safety recalls and 86 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (21 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints86filed by owners

Crashes · fires8 · 9reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths4 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Electrical systemApr 25, 1996

Ignition

Recall 96V0710007,900,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

VisibilityMay 6, 1991

Windshield wiper/washer › Motor

Recall 91V076000125,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: APPLY TORQUE RETENTION MATERIAL TO WIPER MOTOR STUDS AND NUTS AND RETORQUE.

Electrical systemFeb 12, 1990

12v/24v/48v battery › Cables

Recall 90V02600072 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: REPLACE BATTERY TO STARTER CABLE WITH CORRECT LENGTH CABLE.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1990 Mercury Cougar 2-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Cougar

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Cougar

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

Cougar

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3.8 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical system12v/24v/48v battery; Ignition	21	0	6	0	75,400 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal; Cables	19	5	0	2	—
Seat beltsFront › Anchorage; Front › Buckle assembly	16	2	0	2	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components	9	2	0	1	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	9	1	1	1	—
Latches/locks/linkagesHood › Latch	5	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap	5	0	1	0	—
Exterior lightingHeadlights	5	0	0	0	—
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar; Rack and pinion › Rack	4	1	1	0	—
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Windshield	4	0	0	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission	2	0	0	0	—
StructureBody › Door › Hinge and attachments	2	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

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
Jun 18, 2018 · 235,000 miles
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
Sep 10, 2017 · 61,800 miles
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
Jun 11, 2017 · 60,000 miles
Electrical systemFire
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.
Jan 6, 2014 · 89,000 miles
Vehicle speed controlCrash1 injury
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. *JB
Apr 2, 2008
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. *NM
Jul 1, 2004
Electrical system › Ignition
THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS DEFECTIVE. *YH
May 6, 2002
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.*JB
Sep 1, 1999

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

FAULTY SEATBELT BUCKLESClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE95019 · opened Mar 27, 1995 · closed Jul 31, 1995
THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHINGClosed
There is no summary currently available
EA93033 · opened Dec 30, 1993 · closed Dec 30, 1994
THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHINGClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE93075 · opened Aug 30, 1993 · closed Dec 30, 1993
HOOD LATCHES FAILClosed
There is no summary currently available
EA90034 · opened Jun 26, 1990 · closed Feb 25, 1992
HOOD LATCHES FAILClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE90073 · opened Apr 11, 1990 · closed Jun 26, 1990