1987 Mercury COUGAR problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
26 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 26 complaints (30.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 15.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 7.7% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 7.7% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 7.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 8 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 2 |
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 8; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 26 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 14 |
| 1996 | 7 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
1995: 14; 1996: 7; 2000: 2; 2001: 2; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11534721 · 2023-07-27 (July 27, 2023)
Brake pads constantly keeps running out on front driver, passenger front brakes are still good but rotor keeps running out unevenly, no brake fluid leaks but needs refill every 3rd about 3/4 of a pints bottle, making a left turn it accelerated by itself brakes didn't react, instead of causing in a big accident, pulled the steering wheel, went through a fence and a brick wall stopped my car, checked all fuses replaced fuses if needed, confirmed fuses AMP Ganges with the vehicle own owners manual, dashboard backlights keeps going on and off on i…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11534721 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 506870 · 1996-07-30 (July 30, 1996)
RIGHT FRONT BRAKE ROTOR RUSTED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 506870 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 973252 · 1995-10-11 (October 11, 1995)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE, TRANSMISSION FAILS TO FULLY ENGAGE INTO INDICATED GEARS. TT WHEN IN PARK, TRANSMISSION SOMETIMES IS IN REVERSE UNLESS SHOVED INTO BACK FULL FORCE, WHEN IN DRIVE THE INDICATOR SHOWS NEUTRAL, CONSUMER STATES THIS FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED. SHOULDER STRAP REFUSES TO ENGAGE AND PULLS TIGHT AGAINST THE BODY. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 973252 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 872880 · 2000-10-12 (October 12, 2000)
VEHICLE KEEPS STALLING DUE TO A TFI MODULE THAT WAS PLACED TOO CLOSE TO ENGINE WHICH WILL OVERHEAT. CONSUMER IS AWARE OF NATIONAL CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 872880 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 885275 · 2001-04-06 (April 6, 2001)
WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE WOULD STALL.*AK THE VEHICLE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT GOES SMOTH AGAIN. THE TECHNICIANS AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPT DISCOVERED THAT THE TFI IGNITION MODUELE FAILURE WAS THE CAUSE. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 885275 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 985298 · 1996-06-05 (June 5, 1996)
WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN, IGNITION SWITCH BURNT, NO FLAMES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 985298 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 985217 · 1996-06-04 (June 4, 1996)
THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE CAR HAS GONE HAYWIRE DUE TO THE IGNITON SWITCH. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GOES OUT AND THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF. *AK VEHICLE WOULD GO ON FINE, WOULD PULL OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND THE RADIO WOULD TURN OFF TURN THE CORNER AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT, VEHICLE WOULD START BACK UP AND MAYBE THE RADIO WOULD COME BACK ON.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 985217 at NHTSA ↗