1990 Mercury COUGAR: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
45 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
75,400 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 45 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 17.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 11.1% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 4.4% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 9 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 6 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 4 |
| Seat Belts | 3 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 9; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 6; Electrical System: 5; Electrical System:Ignition: 4; Seat Belts: 3; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 2; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 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 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 41 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 | 13 |
| 1996 | 7 |
| 2000 | 15 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
1995: 13; 1996: 7; 2000: 15; 2001: 3; 2002: 1; 2004: 1; 2010: 1; 2014: 1; 2017: 2; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10080252 · 2004-07-01 (July 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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10080252 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10313173 · 2010-04-20 (April 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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10313173 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10558771 · 2014-01-07 (January 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.
Owner-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10558771 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11024101 · 2017-09-18 (September 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
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11024101 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11024160 · 2017-09-19 (September 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
Owner-reported narrative. 61,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11024160 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11112292 · 2018-07-19 (July 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
Owner-reported narrative. 235,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11112292 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 482618 · 1995-02-23 (February 23, 1995)
REAR BRAKE SHOES CRACKED, CAUSING SHOES TO SLIDE DOWN AND PUSH CYLINDER OUT OF PLACE/BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482618 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 487370 · 1995-10-25 (October 25, 1995)
FRONT MOTORBELTS FAILED. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 487370 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
90V026000 · Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables
Reported: 1990-02-12 (February 12, 1990)
BATTERY TO STARTER CABLES ARE LONGER THAN SPECIFIED; EXCESSIVE CABLE LENGTH COULD CONTACT ENGINE DAMPER PULLEY.
Consequence: CABLE PROTECTIVE COVERING AND INSULATION COULD WEAR THROUGH AND CAUSE A DIRECT SHORT TO GROUND, RESULTING IN OVERHEATING OF THE CABLE INSULATION AND POSSIBLY A UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: REPLACE BATTERY TO STARTER CABLE WITH CORRECT LENGTH CABLE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗91V076000 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
Reported: 1991-05-06 (May 6, 1991)
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.
Consequence: CHANGES IN THE WIPER PATTERN OR JAMMING OF THE WIPERSWOULD RESULT IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILTY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Remedy: APPLY TORQUE RETENTION MATERIAL TO WIPER MOTOR STUDS AND NUTS AND RETORQUE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗96V071000 · Electrical System:Ignition
Reported: 1996-04-25 (April 25, 1996)
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
NHTSA campaign record ↗