1989 Mercury Cougar

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #96V071000April 25, 19967,900,000 vehicles affected

  electrical system: ignition

  The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.

  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 recall #89V080000May 19, 198910,600 vehicles affected

  suspension: rear: springs

  Improperly heat treated rear suspension knuckles could experience high mileage fatigue cracks and eventual fracture.

  This could result in rear suspension failure at theaffected wheel with an adverse affect on control of the car, which couldcause an accident.

  Remedy

  Replace knuckles that have the affected lot codes.

• NHTSA recall #89V081000May 19, 1989113,200 vehicles affected

  service brakes, air: disc: caliper

  Due to contact between the brake caliper of the inboard front wheel and the front stabilizer bar, there may be increased brake pedal travel following low speed turning maneuvers.

  This could cause a reduction in brake performancethat could result in an accident.

  Remedy

  Install acorn type front suspension strut nuts to eliminate stabilizer bar to brake caliper contact.

• NHTSA recall #88V165000October 18, 1988124 vehicles affected

  fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting

  Plastic rollover valve mounting plate may not be properly sealed to the plastic fuel tank.

  Fuel or vapor could leak, which could result in a vehiclefire.

  Remedy

  REPLACE FUEL TANK.

Other model years

• 1987 33
• 1988 55
• 1989
• 1990 86
• 1991 73
• 1992 92
• 1993 195
• 1994 137
• 1995 109
• 1996 62
• 1997 76
• 1999 454
• 2000 211
• 2001 82
• 2002 95