1988 MERCURY COUGAR

1 recalls — 50 complaints

96V071000 Apr 25, 1996
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
7,900,000 vehicles affected
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Apr 22, 2005
ON FEB 12, 1994 MY WIFE AND HER FRIEND TOOK MY RED 1988 MERCURY COUGAR LS TO CHURCH AT 6:30 PM. IT WAS AN EXTREMELY FOGGY EVENING. I RECEIVED A CALL AT THE HOUSE AT 6:50 PM THAT MY WIFE HAD BEEN IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND THAT I NEEDED TO COME TO THE SITE. MY CAR WAS IN MINT CONDITION INSIDE AND OUT BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. WHEN I SAW THE CAR, IT WAS UNBELIEVABLE!! MY WIFE, WITNESSES, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND GOODYEAR TIRE CONCLUDED THAT IT WAS THE MERCURY COUGAR?S COMPUTER THAT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO GO FULL-THROTTLE. DIANE, MY WIFE AND PASSENGER TESTIFIED THAT WHEN THE ENGINE SURGED, SHE PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE CAR. AFTER NO AVAIL, SHE APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SPIN INTO A HEAVILY TRAVELED INTERSECTION. AS THE VEHICLE SPUN, MY WIFE TRIED TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO ?PARK?. UNFORTUNATELY, THE VEHICLE CHANGED INTO ?REVERSE?, SENDING THEM THROUGH A GAS STATION, AT FULL-THROTTLE, BACKWARDS. AT THIS TIME, THE PASSENGER PANICKED. SHE UNBUCKLED HER SEATBELT AND OPENED THE DOOR WHILE TRAVELING IN REVERSE. THE DOOR MOMENTARILY PINED HER TO THE GROUND, RESULTING IN MAJOR FRACTURES OF THE HIP AND OTHER MINOR INJURIES. THE CAR FINALLY CAME TO REST IN THE WOODS ADJACENT TO THE GAS STATION WITH MAJOR FRAME DAMAGE, A SEVERED FUEL LINE AND ALL FOUR WHEELS WERE DESTROYED. MY WIFE WAS SHAKEN, BUT NO INJURIES. WITNESSES STATED THEY CAME WITHIN INCHES OF HITTING THE GAS PUMPS. AT THE TIME, MY FATHER-IN-LAW, A RETIRED GM MECHANIC BLAMED THE EVENT ON MY WIFE. UNTIL I BECAME COMPUTER SMART AND HAVE READ SO MANY ARTICLES THIS WEEK ON FORD VEHICLES SURGING, I THOUGHT I HAD BETTER REPORT THIS INCIDENT TO HELP OTHERS WHO APPARENTLY HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE SAME EXPERIENCE. *JB
Crash 1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Nov 17, 2004
THE RIGHT SELTBELT BUCKLE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FAILS OFTEN. FORD NO LONGER SUPPLIES THESE BUCKLES, AND THEY ARE VERY SCARCE IN WRECKING YARDS.*AK
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Feb 25, 2004
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A TIRE THAT FAILED FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE. FRONT LEFT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM A CHEVROLET BLAZER 1984, AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL. VEHICLE HIT TWO OTHER VEHICLES, ONE BEING THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, AND CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE. DURING THE CRASH CONSUMER'S WRIST WAS BROKEN AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK *JB
Crash 1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Sep 3, 2003
THE IGNITION SWITCH DOES NOT IGNITE IF THE GEAR SHIFT IS NOT COMPLETELY UP. IT APPEARS THERE IS NOT ENOUGH COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE ELECTRICAL IGNITION SWITCH AND THE GEAR SHIFT.*AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH May 13, 2002
RECALL 96 V 071 000/IGNITION SWITCH: RECALL REPAIRS WAS DONE AT BAYWAY LINCOLN, MERCURY; HOUSTON, TX; PHONE# 281/ 929-6500. AT THE PRESENT TIME PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Nov 20, 2000
VEHICLE STALLS WHEN STARTING FROM A COMPLETE STOP OR A ROLLING STOP, RECALL 96V071 WAS COMPLETED ON VEHICLE, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS POSSIBLY DUE TO AN ENGINE FAILURE. *SLC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION Nov 9, 2000
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN, BUT ALL ELECTRICAL PARTS WILL STILL BE WORKING, LIKE HEADLIGHTS/ RADIO/ POWER WINDOW, AND AIR CONDITIONER. BUT NOT COLD AND MOTOR WILL STILL BE WORKING; IGNITION MODULE HAD BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES, AND NOW HAS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN.*AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Nov 9, 2000
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN, BUT ALL ELECTRICAL PARTS WILL STILL BE WORKING, LIKE HEADLIGHTS/ RADIO/ POWER WINDOW, AND AIR CONDITIONER. BUT NOT COLD AND MOTOR WILL STILL BE WORKING; IGNITION MODULE HAD BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES, AND NOW HAS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN.*AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH Sep 28, 2000
BOTH FORD MOTOR CORP. AND GALPIN LINCOLN-MERCURY REFUSED TO COVER FOR REPAIRS. OWNER HAD TO DO SO AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. *AK
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Sep 18, 2000
IGN. SW. RECALL WORK DONE PREVIOUSLY 2 TIMES BY GALPIN LINCOLN-MERCURY. SEAT BELT FAILURE REPORTED BOTH TO GALPIN LINCOLN-MERCURY AND FORD MOTOR CORP. BECAUSE OF NO DOCUMENTED RECALL, THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR IT. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING EVER SINCE WITHOUT SHOULDER BELT PROTECTION.
Fire
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE Sep 18, 2000
IGN. SW. RECALL WORK DONE PREVIOUSLY 2 TIMES BY GALPIN LINCOLN-MERCURY. SEAT BELT FAILURE REPORTED BOTH TO GALPIN LINCOLN-MERCURY AND FORD MOTOR CORP. BECAUSE OF NO DOCUMENTED RECALL, THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR IT. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING EVER SINCE WITHOUT SHOULDER BELT PROTECTION.
Fire
TIRES:TREAD/BELT Aug 22, 2000
THE UPPER LAYER OF THE FIRESTONE TIRE ON THE FRONT LEFT WAS COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE REST OF THE TIRE. THIS WAS AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 60 MPH. THE TIRE WAS IN GOOD CONDITION WITH NO DAMAGE. IT WAS A VERY SCAREY AND DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH THE WHOLE FAMILY (WIFE AND 2 KIDS) IN THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY, IN THE MIDDLE OF DESERT AND AT NIGHT. CALLED AAA FOR HELP AND WE WERE LUCKY THE CAT DID NOT OVERTURN. I HAVE HEARD VERY SIMILAR CASES WITH FIRESTONE. I BELIEVE THRE FIRESTONE TIRES ARE DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 215SR17 )
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM Jul 25, 2000
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS Sep 30, 1999
WHILE DRIVING PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW FELL OUT THE CAR. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THE WINDOW CAN BE FIXED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. *AK
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD Aug 17, 1999
WHILE DRIVING PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW FELL OUT THE CAR.DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THE WINDOW CAN BE FIXED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH May 26, 1999
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE PRIOR TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL NOTICE REPAIR. NLM
Fire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS Apr 8, 1999
STEEL BRAKE LINE ON REAR AXEL FAILED FIRST. STEEL BRAKE LINE ON TO RIGNT FRONT FAILED THIS TIME. LEFT FRONT STEEL BRAKE LINE SHOWED SIGNS OF FAILURE AND WAS REPLACED TOO. LINES ARE RUSTING THROUGH WHERE ATTACHED TO FRAME OR AXLE. BOUGHT CAR IN INDIANA, BUT LATER FOUND OUT IT CAME FROM WISCONSIN. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Feb 17, 1999
WHEN ENGINE IS HOTTER THAN NORMAL OR IN WARM WEATHER THE VEHICLE WILL STALL WITHOUT WARNING. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL Feb 11, 1999
WHILE DEPRESSING GAS PEDAL VEHICLE WENT INTO A FULL UNWANTED ACCELERATION. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER, CRUISE CONTROL DISCONNECTED. POSSIBLY FAULTY WIRING IN CRUISE CONTROL. *AK *ML
Crash
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY Jan 22, 1999
WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING MY COUGAR SHE MADE A 5-10 MPH LEFT HAND TURN THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD SNAPPED AND MY WIFE LOST ALL STEERING. SHE SIDE SWIPED ONE CAR AND HIT HEAD ON WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE . I HAD ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT 9 MONTHS WHEN THIS HAPPENED . NOW MY WIFE IS GETTING SUED FOR 15000 DOLLARS BY ONE OF THE OTHER DRIVERS . I JUST WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS THERE ANY WAY YOU CAN FIX MY STILL BROKEN CAR OR AM I AT FAULT FOR THE ACCIDENT? THANK YOU FOR A REPLY GREATFULLY RAYMOND ROSE
Crash 3 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Oct 20, 1998
IGNITION SWITCH FAILED RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE.(ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Oct 20, 1998
IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED OUT, PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Oct 14, 1998
SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUSING VEHICLE ACCIDENT RESULTING IN DEATH.
1 deaths
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER Apr 27, 1998
FRONT BUCKET SEATBACK LATCHES FAILED TO HOLD THE SEATBACKS IN PLACE.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS Mar 3, 1998
SEALS AROUND THE HEADLIGHTS HAD DESINTEGRATED.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS Feb 5, 1998
HEAD LIGHTS GET CLOUDY CONTINUOUSLY FROM MOISTURE ENTERING UNITS, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Sep 25, 1997
WHEN STOPPING OR SHIFTING INTO PARK VEHICLE SUDDENLY RACES/ACCELERATES. *AK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Sep 17, 1997
WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND UNCONTROLLABLY ACCELERATED INTO A BRICK WALL. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOTALLED. *AK CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN ACCIDENT. TP SENSOR REPLACED DUE TO STALLING. *SLC
Crash 1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL May 27, 1997
SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING ACCIDENT/FATALITY.
1 deaths
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH May 27, 1997
IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED PRIOR TO RECALL.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE) Mar 25, 1997
GASOLINE LEAK FROM VALVE, CAUSING FIRE.
Fire
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Mar 3, 1997
SEAT BELT LATCH IS INOPERATIVE. *AK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Dec 31, 1996
VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE Dec 10, 1996
SEAT BELT FAILED.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL Sep 30, 1996
THROTTLE LINKAGE DEFECTIVE.(1ST VEHICLE ON 601564) *SD
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Sep 18, 1996
EA95-021 ACTIVE, SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED, WILL NOT RELEASE. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Aug 9, 1996
THE INGITION SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED . *AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE Aug 7, 1996
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE. IT LOCKED IN POSITION. THE RED RELEASE BUTTON WAS SOLID HARD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RELEASE.*AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Aug 7, 1996
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE. IT LOCKED IN POSITION. THE RED RELEASE BUTTON WAS SOLID HARD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RELEASE.*AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR Jul 29, 1996
FAILURE OF THE REAR PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR SEATS, BELT WILL NOT RETRACT. *AK *JB
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES Jul 11, 1996
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNEXPECTED AND UNINTENDED ACCELERATION FROM APARK POSITION. INDEPENDENT ENGINEER IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE HOLDING THE THROTTLE OPENED, EA90-009. *AJ
Crash 1 injured 1 deaths
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Jun 19, 1996
VEHICLE SURGED WHEN KEY PUT INTO CAR, CAUSING ACCIDENT/INJURY. *DH
Crash 1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Jun 18, 1996
SON DRIVING VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO SMOKE AND BURN UNDER DASHBOARD, HAD TO OPEN DOOR TO SEE BECAUSE OF SMOKE, VEHICLE SOON AFTER CAUGHT FIRE, JUNKED VEHICLE. *AK
Fire
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR Jun 1, 1996
MIRROR SWITCH FAILED, CAUSING MIRRORS TO READJUST. *DSH
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING Jun 1, 1996
WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH SHORTED OUT, CAUSING LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE TO COME OUT WINDSHIELD VENT, ALSO INTERMITTENT SETTING NO LONGER FUNCTIONS.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Apr 30, 1996
SEAT BELT BUCKLE: FAULTY DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE, ALLEGED FALSE LATCHING, SEAT BELT COMES OUT OF THE BUCKLE. *AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Apr 30, 1996
SEAT BELT BUCKLE: FAULTY DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE, ALLEGED FALSE LATCHING, SEAT BELT COMES OUT OF THE BUCKLE. *AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Apr 17, 1996
SEAT BELT LATCH FAILED. *DSH
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Mar 1, 1996
DRIVER'S SIDE BELT BUCKLE FAILURE, BUCKLE FAILS TO LATCH PROPERLY. *AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Mar 1, 1996
DRIVER'S SIDE BELT BUCKLE FAILURE, BUCKLE FAILS TO LATCH PROPERLY. *AK