1991 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
91V048000 Mar 18, 1991
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.
Remedy: REPLACE PARK ROD ASSEMBLY ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.
6,800 vehicles affected
EXTERIOR LIGHTING Jan 14, 2009
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. *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jul 25, 2007
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Feb 3, 2006
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. IT IS NOT FIXED YET BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD IT. *NM
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Sep 1, 2005
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 - *NM
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP Jun 14, 2004
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 *JB
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS Apr 22, 2004
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Apr 22, 2004
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Jun 28, 2002
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 *TT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE May 14, 2002
CONSUMER COMPLAINS OF HEAD GASKET FAILURE. *JG
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Feb 22, 2002
CONSUMER COMPLAINS OF HEAD GASKET FAILURE. *JG
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Jan 9, 2002
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. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Jan 18, 2001
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? *AK
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Jan 17, 2001
AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY UPON A LEFT TURN 45 DEGREE CONTACT TO LEFT FRONT. *AK
Crash 1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Aug 23, 2000
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP Aug 10, 2000
WHILE DRIVING WOULD STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP. ALSO, PEDAL FELT HARD. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Jul 25, 2000
WHEN CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR CHECK UP,TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT ENGINE HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET WICH HAPPENED WITHOUT A WARNING. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE May 19, 2000
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). *AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY May 19, 2000
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? *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE May 19, 2000
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE May 19, 2000
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? *AK
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR Mar 22, 2000
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK VERY SLOW, MAKE A HUMMING NOISE AND STOP WORKING. NLM
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY Feb 8, 2000
GAS TANK IS LEAKING AT THE TOP OF THE TANK. *MJS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS Jan 31, 2000
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. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY Jan 16, 2000
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. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE) Nov 29, 1999
EGR VALVE AND SENSOR FAILED. NLM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Oct 29, 1999
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HEAD GASKET FAILURE, RECALL ON OTHER MODELS HOWEVER COUGAR WAS NOT INCLUDED EVEN THOUGH SAME ENGINE AS RECALL MODELS, DENIED RECALL REPAIR (98M01). MJS
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Oct 29, 1999
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HEAD GASKET FAILURE, RECALL ON OTHER MODELS HOWEVER COUGAR WAS NOT INCLUDED EVEN THOUGH SAME ENGINE AS RECALL MODELS, DENIED RECALL REPAIR (98M01). MJS
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Oct 29, 1999
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HEAD GASKET FAILURE, RECALL ON OTHER MODELS HOWEVER COUGAR WAS NOT INCLUDED EVEN THOUGH SAME ENGINE AS RECALL MODELS, DENIED RECALL REPAIR (98M01). MJS
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR Oct 4, 1999
THE DOORS ON THIS CAR WANT CLOSE. THEY ARE TOO HEAVY AND HAVE BENT THE HINGES. THIS A DESIGN FAILURE.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL Sep 7, 1999
WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH IT EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CONSUMER REMOVED FOOT FROM THE PEDAL AND IT STUCK TO THE FLOOR AND ACCELERATED TO 75 WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS BRAKING HARD. IT JUST KEPT LUNCHING FORWARD. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
POWER TRAIN Jun 22, 1999
SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT REGISTER AT ALL. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME SPEEDOMETER HAS BROKEN. IN APRIL OF 92, SPEEDOMETER WAS REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP UNDER WARRANTY DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED ABOUT THE CURRENT PROBLEM. *AK
SEAT BELTS Mar 31, 1999
AUTOMATIC SHOULDER RESTAIN SEAT BELT BROKE. WHICH, WHEN CONSUMER IS GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE THE SEAT BELT TRACK ISN'T WORKING. CONSUMER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE Mar 17, 1999
SEAT BELT FAILED DURING ACCIDENT RESULTING IN HEAD INJURIES TO THE DRIVER.
1 injured
SUSPENSION:FRONT Mar 16, 1999
COMPLAINTS RE; FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION SUBMITTED TO DEALER SINCE 1994; CLUNKING, CREAKING, ROUGHNESS STEERING; NOW DEALER SUBMITS REPAIR ESTIMATE AT $907.95 +TAX. LET ME KNOW WHERE/HOW TO SUBMIT COMPLAINTS RE: AUTO SERVICE/DEALERS. THX.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Mar 16, 1999
BOTH HEAD GASKETS BLOWN; HOWEVER, COMPLAINTS RE; FAULTY TEMPERATURE GUAGE SUBMITTED TO DEALER SINCE 10/15/1993. REPAIR COST: $1390.92 (INCL. TAX).
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Mar 16, 1999
BOTH HEAD GASKETS BLOWN; HOWEVER, COMPLAINTS RE; FAULTY TEMPERATURE GUAGE SUBMITTED TO DEALER SINCE 10/15/1993. REPAIR COST: $1390.92 (INCL. TAX).
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Feb 26, 1999
MOUNTS HAVE FAILED, SIMILAR TO 87 & 92 FORD TAURUS MODELS. IS THERE A RECALL ON THE 91 COUGAR FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM?...STRANGE COINCIDENCE. THANKS
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Dec 3, 1998
WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH THE VEHICLE HAD AN OUTBURST OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION. CONSUMER TRIED AND STOPPED VEHICLE, IT WAS PLACED IN REVERSE AND ALSO PARK, BUT THE VEHICLE KEPT ON GOING. TO STOP VEHICLE CONSUMER HAD TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, AND COASTED THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER Nov 23, 1998
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPING. CONSUMER HAS REPLACED ROTORS ON FOUR OCCASIONS, SINCE NOVEMBER 96 UP TO THE PRESENT TIME. DEALER/MFR. NOTIFIED.*AK RECALL 92B11 - FRONT DISC ROUGNESS, BRAKE SHUDDER INFORMATION ATTACHED, ALSO THE CALIPERS WERE REPLACED. *TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR Nov 23, 1998
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPING. CONSUMER HAS REPLACED ROTORS ON FOUR OCCASIONS, SINCE NOVEMBER 96 UP TO THE PRESENT TIME. DEALER/MFR. NOTIFIED.*AK RECALL 92B11 - FRONT DISC ROUGNESS, BRAKE SHUDDER INFORMATION ATTACHED, ALSO THE CALIPERS WERE REPLACED. *TT
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS Nov 10, 1998
AFTER DRIVING FOR 25 MINUTES THE HEADLIGNTS START FLASHING ON AND OFF. THE BULBS AND FUSES ARE GOOD. I HAVE DESCOVERED THAT THE MERCURY SABLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAD A RECALL FOR A FAILED HEADLIGHT SWITCH WHICH INCORPORATES A CIRCUIT BREAKER. WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS HEAT UP THE CIRCUIT OPENS. RECALL WAS MADE APRIL 15, 1998 FOR SABLES MADE DEC. 1992 TO SEPT. 1993. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V009000. ALL VEHICLES WITH SAME PROBLEM AND RISK OF A CRASH SHOULD BE REPAIRED IN THE SAME MANNER.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER Apr 10, 1998
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON WITHOUT TURNING ON THE WIPER SWITCH, AND WHEN THE WIPERS ARE NEEDED THEY WILL NOT COME ON AT ALL. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP Mar 31, 1998
FUEL TANK SENDER/PUMP LEAKS AT SOLDERED TUBE, CAUSING FUMES.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD Mar 31, 1998
WIRING HARNESS NOT PROTECTED RESULTING IN DISINTEGRATION.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS Jan 14, 1998
LOOOSE SUB-FRAME BOLT, CAUSING FRONT END VIBRATION. *AK
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS Dec 19, 1997
DRIVING AT ANY VARIOUS SPEED HEADLIGHTS WILL TURN OFF AND ON, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO DRIVE SOMETIMES WITHOUT HEADLIGHT UNEXPECTEDLY,WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.DEALER HAS REPLACED HEADLIGHTS 4 TIMES, BUT DEFECT IS STILL OCCURRING. *AK
SEAT BELTS Jul 3, 1997
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. *AK
Crash 1 injured
TIRES Jul 3, 1997
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. *AK
Crash 1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Apr 21, 1997
THE THROTTLE LINKAGE BROKE IN OPEN POSITION, CAUSING UNWANTED ACCELERATION AND OVERRIDING THE BRAKING SYSTEM. *AK
1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Apr 3, 1997
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE IT MADE A PUFFING SOUND AND CUT OFF, AFTER RESTARTING AND DRIVING ABOUT ONE BLOCK, THE ENGINE SUDDENDLY DIED. THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED BY MECHANIC. *AK