1990 MERCURY COUGAR

3 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
91V076000 May 6, 1991
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.
Remedy: APPLY TORQUE RETENTION MATERIAL TO WIPER MOTOR STUDS AND NUTS AND RETORQUE.
125,000 vehicles affected
90V026000 Feb 12, 1990
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
BATTERY TO STARTER CABLES ARE LONGER THAN SPECIFIED; EXCESSIVE CABLE LENGTH COULD CONTACT ENGINE DAMPER PULLEY.
Remedy: REPLACE BATTERY TO STARTER CABLE WITH CORRECT LENGTH CABLE.
72 vehicles affected
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Jul 19, 2018
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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jul 19, 2018
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
EXTERIOR LIGHTING Jul 19, 2018
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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Sep 19, 2017
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
ENGINE Sep 18, 2017
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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Sep 18, 2017
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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jan 7, 2014
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.
Fire
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Apr 20, 2010
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
Crash 1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION Jul 1, 2004
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
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Oct 1, 2002
THE VEHICLE'S CAMSHAFT SENSOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED . *YH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION Oct 1, 2002
THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS DEFECTIVE. *YH
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS Sep 25, 2001
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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION May 17, 2001
IGNITION WENT BAD. FORD NO LONGER MAKES THE PART. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Feb 21, 2001
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.*AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Jan 31, 2001
THE HEAD GASKET FAILED CAUSING WATER AND ANIT-FREEZE TO LEAK INTO THE MOTOR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE NO HEAT. SLC
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Nov 7, 2000
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION Oct 24, 2000
NO SUMMARY
SEAT BELTS Oct 20, 2000
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.*AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE Sep 18, 2000
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.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE Sep 14, 2000
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP May 31, 2000
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. *AK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES Apr 19, 2000
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 *ML
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Apr 18, 2000
THIE 3.8 ENG IS THE SAME AS THE RECALLS ON OTHER FORD VEHICLE. *AK
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS Apr 11, 2000
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. *AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT Mar 16, 2000
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. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH Feb 24, 2000
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
SEATS Feb 24, 2000
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY Feb 24, 2000
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Feb 24, 2000
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR Feb 24, 2000
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ON THIS VEHICLE NEVER ADJUSTED! NOT NOTIFIED! *AK
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Feb 24, 2000
THIS VEHICLE HAD NUMEROUS BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEMS WITHIN THE FIRST 3 MONTHS OF BEING PLACED IN SERVICE. THE FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED AND UNBALANCED RESULTING IN UNEVEN AND EXCESSIVE PREMATURE WEAR TO THE FRONT BRAKE PADS.CALIPER RETAINING PINS HAVE INADE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC Feb 24, 2000
THIS VEHICLE HAD NUMEROUS BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEMS WITHIN THE FIRST 3 MONTHS OF BEING PLACED IN SERVICE. THE FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED AND UNBALANCED RESULTING IN UNEVEN AND EXCESSIVE PREMATURE WEAR TO THE FRONT BRAKE PADS.CALIPER RETAINING PINS HAVE INADE
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS Feb 19, 2000
HUSBAND IS A MECHANIC AND SAID NUMEROUS COUGARS HAVE COME IN WITH SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL YOUR HEADLIGHTS FLASHING WHILE DRIVING COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. CONFUSING OTHERS DRIVERS, ALONG THE DRIVER HIM/HERSELF NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Feb 9, 2000
ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE AT 75K MILES. FORMER FORD MECHANIC STATED HE HAD REPAIRED HUNDREDS OF THESE 3.8 HEAD GASKET FAILURES. NEW SHOP SPECS FOR REPAIR WERE FOR TIGHTER TORQUE THAN DONE AT FACTORY AND REPLACE ENGINE BOLTS WITH LARGER ONES. HE FELT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ITEM, SINCE IT WASN'T PROPERLY DONE AT FACTORY. HAVE NOT HAD REPAIRS DONE YET. IS THERE AN INVESTIGATION PENDING ON THIS SITUATION AND/OR POSSIBLE RECALL BEING PREPARED? THANK YOU. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Oct 20, 1999
REPORTING A BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET ON A 3.8L ENGINE, WHICH WAS REPAIRED BY A INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AT CONSUMER'S COST. ASKING NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. TOO MANY COMPLAINTS & REPORT ON THIS BLOWN HEAD GASKETS FOR 3.8L ENGINE. WE ARE CALLING FOR HELP. *AK
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH Oct 19, 1999
WHILE DRIVING THE HOOD LATCH MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE HOOD TO FLY OPEN, AND MAY HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. (EA90034). *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR Sep 22, 1999
WAS DRIVING AND THE ROTORS FELL OFF DUE TO ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING DEFECT. TOOK TO DEALER AND HE WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Jun 21, 1999
ENGINE FIRE. MJS
Fire
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Jun 20, 1999
THE INCIDENT OCCURRED TWICE. FIRST TIME AT 65MPH. CRUISE CONTROL WAS SUSPECTED AS PROBLEM SO IT WAS DISCONNECTED. THE SECOND OCCURRENCE WAS ON 5/7/99. SPEED 30MPH. IN BOTH CASES, THE ACCLERATOR SUDDENLY WENT TO THE FLOOR & THE VEHICLE SHOT FORWARD AT A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT WAS SHUTTING DOWN THE ENGINE.*AK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL Jun 20, 1999
THE INCIDENT OCCURRED TWICE. FIRST TIME AT 65MPH. CRUISE CONTROL WAS SUSPECTED AS PROBLEM SO IT WAS DISCONNECTED. THE SECOND OCCURRENCE WAS ON 5/7/99. SPEED 30MPH. IN BOTH CASES, THE ACCLERATOR SUDDENLY WENT TO THE FLOOR & THE VEHICLE SHOT FORWARD AT A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT WAS SHUTTING DOWN THE ENGINE.*AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY May 25, 1999
WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FULL OR NEAR FULL, A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR IS PRESENT. APPEARS TO BE THE SAME AS ODI ID-807696 EXCEPT WE DON'T SEE ANY FUEL LEAKAGE. WHAT RECOURSE DO WE HAVE WITH THIS?
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Apr 13, 1999
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED,CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *AK
Crash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Mar 26, 1999
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FIRE DUE TO POSSIBLE RECALL COMPONENT (IGNITION SWITCH) FAILURE, NO NOTICE OF RECALL SENT TO CONSUMER PRIOR TO FIRE (#95S28).
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR Mar 26, 1999
ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE TWICE, COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURIES. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. *AK
Fire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS Mar 12, 1999
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATED. CONSUMER PUT FOOT ON THE BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE, BUT BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. DEALR INSPECTED VEHICLE AND COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEM NEVER HAPPENED AGAIN. *AK
Crash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Mar 12, 1999
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATED. CONSUMER PUT FOOT ON THE BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE, BUT BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. DEALR INSPECTED VEHICLE AND COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEM NEVER HAPPENED AGAIN. *AK
Crash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES Feb 17, 1999
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 65MPH THE ACCELERATOR WENT TO THE FLOOR BY ITSELF AND WOULD NOT COME UP, NO ACCIDENTS OCCURRED. CONTINUING A COUPLE OF MILES FURTHER, THE VEHICLE TOTALLY STOPPED. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE CAR OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED, DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR Jan 22, 1999
DRIVERS SHOULDER BELT DOES NOT RETRACT, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO BECOME INOPERABLE, CAUSE UNKNOWN.*AK *JB
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE Jan 13, 1999
MOTORIZED SHOULDER BELT ON DRIVERS SIDE DOES NOT GO DOWN INTO THE LOCKED POSTION FOR SAFTEY. MOTER DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. STUCK IN THE DOWN POSTION MAKING THE SHOULDER BELT UNUSEABLE AND UNSAFE.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Oct 20, 1998
SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUSING DAMAGE TO BRAKES AND TRANSMISSION.