1990 MERCURY COUGAR — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

104

Owner Complaints

11 Crashes 9 Fires

3

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

0

Service Bulletins

2

Investigations

Overview of the 1990 MERCURY COUGAR

The 1990 MERCURY COUGAR has received a total of 104 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES. The most commonly reported problems involve the Vehicle Speed Control (15 complaints), Engine And Engine Coolingengine (8 complaints), and Seat Belts (6 complaints).

Recalls for the 1990 MERCURY COUGAR

NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 1990 MERCURY COUGAR, potentially affecting up to 8,025,072 vehicles.

Recall 96V071000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

| 7,900,000 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

View full details →

Recall 91V076000 — VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

| 125,000 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

View full details →

Recall 90V026000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

| 72 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

View full details →

Owner Complaints for the 1990 MERCURY COUGAR

104 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1990 MERCURY COUGAR. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 15 4 Crashes 2 Injuries
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 8 1 Crash 1 Injury
Seat Belts
Complaints: 6
Electrical System
Complaints: 5 1 Fire
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
Complaints: 5
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 5
Latcheslockslinkageshoodlatch
Complaints: 5
Exterior Lightingheadlights
Complaints: 4
Seat Beltsfrontanchorage
Complaints: 3
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 3
Electrical Systemwiring
Complaints: 2 2 Fires
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assembly
Complaints: 2
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 2
Seat Beltsfrontbuckle Assembly
Complaints: 2 1 Crash 1 Injury
Seat Beltsfrontretractor
Complaints: 2
Seat Beltsfrontwebbing
Complaints: 2 1 Crash 1 Injury
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components
Complaints: 2 2 Crashes 1 Injury
Steering Steering Wheelhandle Bar
Complaints: 2 1 Fire
Structurebodydoorhinge And Attachments
Complaints: 2
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
Complaints: 2 1 Crash
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
Complaints: 2
Electrical Systemalternatorgeneratorregulator
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Electrical Systemignitionswitch
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Electrical Systemwiringfront Underhood
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash
Complaints: 1
Engine
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinedelivery
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assemblyfiller Pipe And Cap
Complaints: 1
Fuelpropulsion System
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsfront
Complaints: 1
Seats
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisc
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscpads
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdrumshoeslinings
Complaints: 1
Steering
Complaints: 1
Steeringrack And Pinionrack
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Vehicle Speed Controlcables
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Controllinkages
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwashermotor
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11112292 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | 235,000 miles
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
#11112292 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | | 235,000 miles
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
#11112292 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | | 235,000 miles
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
#11024160 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | 61,800 miles
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
#11024101 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | 60,000 miles
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

View all Vehicle Speed Control complaints →

Safety Rating for the 1990 MERCURY COUGAR

NHTSA has not yet tested the 1990 MERCURY COUGAR in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 1990 MERCURY COUGAR

No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.

NHTSA Investigations for the 1990 MERCURY COUGAR

NHTSA has opened 2 investigations into potential safety defects in the 1990 MERCURY COUGAR.

Investigation PE95019 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Closed

Opened:

FAULTY SEATBELT BUCKLES

Investigation PE90073 — STRUCTURE Closed

Opened:

HOOD LATCHES FAIL

Other Model Years of the MERCURY COUGAR

View all MERCURY COUGAR model years →

Other MERCURY Models

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