1986 Mercury COUGAR: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
10 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
100,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 10 complaints (30.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 20.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 10.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 10.0% |
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 | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum | 1 |
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 3; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum: 1
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 | 1 |
| 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: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 9 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 | 4 |
| 1996 | 4 |
| 2004 | 2 |
1995: 4; 1996: 4; 2004: 2
Pattern summary
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10060600 · 2004-03-06 (March 6, 2004)
THE HOOD IS HELD UP WITH A THIN METAL ROD AND PLACED INTO A HOLE IN THE HOOD. THERE ARE SEVERAL HOLES TO PUT THE ROD INTO BUT ONLY ONE IS PROPER SIZE AND FIT. IF YOU ARE UNDER THE HOOD AND YOU OR SOMEONE ELSE ACCIDENTALLY BUMPS THE ROD, THEN YOU WILL HAVE YOUR HEAD OR HANDS LITERALLY CHOPPED OFF SINCE THE WEIGHT OF THE HOOD IS SO HEAVY DUE TO HEAVY METAL PLATES PLACED IN THERE FOR FRONT END CRASH PROTECTION. I COMPLAINED TO THE FORD COMPANY IN 1986 BUT THEY JUST LAUGHED AS WELL AS NHTSA. ALSO MY CAR HAD ONE OF THE RUNAWAY PROBLEMS WHEREBY THE …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10060600 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10098640 · 2004-11-10 (November 10, 2004)
HEAD GASKET ON 3.8 ENGINE HAS BLOWN TWO TIMES IN 8 MONTHS. CAR OVERHEATS AND HAS OIL IN RADIATOR. HEATER DOES NOT WORK. AND VERY DIM LIGHTING ON SPEEDOMETER.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10098640 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 505267 · 1996-06-12 (June 12, 1996)
SEAT BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTON BROKE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 505267 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 965845 · 1995-05-25 (May 25, 1995)
DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT DOES NOT CLASP. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 965845 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 965846 · 1995-05-25 (May 25, 1995)
FRONT BRAKES FAILED TWICE, BACK BRAKES FELL OFF. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 965846 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 966643 · 1995-06-12 (June 12, 1995)
DRIVER'S SHOULDER/LAP BELT BUCKLES INOPERATIVE, MALE WON'T STAY LATCHED INTO FEMALE PORTION. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 966643 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 969454 · 1995-07-26 (July 26, 1995)
THE LIGHT FOR SPEEDOMETER IS OUT, CANNOT READ SPEED DAY OR NIGHT, CREATES POTENTIAL FOR ACCIDENT. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 969454 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 983740 · 1996-04-29 (April 29, 1996)
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE IGNITION AREA WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 983740 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
86V065000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights
Reported: 1986-05-21 (May 21, 1986)
HEADLAMP COVERS WERE INSTALLED ON VEHICLES IN ERROR. CAUSING THE CARS NOT TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE HEADLAMP COVERS MAY HINDER THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE CAR IN DARKNESS AND OTHER CONDITIONS OF REDUCED VISIBILITY.
Remedy: REMOVE HEADLAMP COVERS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗87V139000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1987-09-04 (September 4, 1987)
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Consequence: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗