Safety ratings
1992 Mercury Cougar 2-DR.
- Lane departure warningNo
- Forward collision warningNo
- Electronic stability controlNo
Crash test videos & photos
No public crash-test footage is available for this vehicle.
Recalls (3)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITIONCampaign 96V071000 · 25/04/1996
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSCampaign 97V159000 · 22/09/1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WEST VIRGINIA. MOVEMENT OF THE FUEL LINES CAUSES THE NYLON FUEL LINE JUMPER TO CHAFE AGAINST THE FLOOR PAN. THIS WEAR CAN CAUSE A PIN HOLE IN THE FUEL LINE RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE.
Risk: THIS FUEL LEAKAGE RESULTS IN DAMPNESS AND FUEL ODOR, AND IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD RESULT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PLASTIC CONVOLUTE COVERING AROUND THE FUEL LINES. IF THE LINES SHOW A LEAK, THE LINES WILL BE REPLACED FIRST.
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCHCampaign 99V275000 · 12/10/1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FOG LIGHTS, IN WHICH THE HEADLIGHTS MAY GO OUT FOR VARIOUS INTERVALS AND WHICH MAY BE PRECEDED BY FLICKERING OR BLINKING AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING.
Risk: DRIVER'S COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH WHICH INCORPORATES A CIRCUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN, AND INSTALL A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR, IF NEEDED.
Owner complaints
Most-reported areas
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING28
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING19
- FUEL SYSTEM9
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL7
- GASOLINE7
- SERVICE BRAKES7
- HYDRAULIC7
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6
Read individual complaints (50 most recent)
These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.
- 12/30/1996· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, CAUSING LIGHTS TO FLICKER ON AND OFF/POOR VISIBILITY.
- 12/27/1998· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ACCELORATOR LOCKED WHILE ACCELORATING A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES. PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURNED OFF ENGINE TO STOP. DEALER FOUND NO CAUSE.
- 12/22/2006· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* - THE CONTACT STATES THAT HER 1992 MERCURY COUGAR'S HEADLIGHTS CONTINUE TO GO OFF AND ON. THE CONTACT STATES THAT SHE COULD BE SITTING, PARKED OR DRIVING, AND LIGHTS ALWAYS TURN OF BUT IF SHE TURNS THE SWITCH OFF AND ON THE LIGHTS TURN ON AGAIN. THE CONTACT STATES THAT THIS STARTED HAPPENING BACK IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED LAST YEAR. THE CONTACT SAID THAT SHE DID FIND THE RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE WHICH WAS ISSUED 10/08/99 FOR EXTERIOR LIGHTING: HEADLIGHTS: SWITCH.
- 12/19/2000· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE, LOST HEADLIGHTS, RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM DIDN'T COVER MY CAR. WHY?*AK
- 12/10/1997· FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
RECALL REPAIR WORK NOT COMPLETED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS.
- 12/07/2004· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
RECALL 99V275000 CONCERNING HEADLIGHTS. THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FLICKER ON /OFF WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AT NIGHT, AND/OR INTERMITTENTLY WOULD GO OFF AND COME BACK ON WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. CONSUMER FOUND THIS RECALL NUMBER ON NHTSA WEBSITE, CALLED THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
- 12/04/2001· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE DRIVING, HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED ON AND OFF, CONSUMER HAD TO WIGGLE SWITCH TO MAKE LIGHTS COME BACK ON, AND SOMETIMES THAT DID NOT WORK, LOST ALL LIGHTS, AND SMELLED WIRE BURNING. CONSUMER HAD LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED. *AK CONSUMER STATED EVEN THOUGH THE SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THE FLICKERING HAS STOPPED, THERE IS STILL A BURNING SMELL WHEN LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ON FOR AWHILE, CONSUMER ALSO HAD TROUBLE GETTING LIGHTS TO REMAIN ON DUE TO VIBRATION.*SLC
- 12/03/1997· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
RECALL 97V159000; DEALER SERVICED VEHICLE FOR RECALL AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
- 11/27/2000· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM (NHTSA 99V275/FORD NO. 99S30) BUT WHEN CONTACTED THEY SAID THE RECALL WAS VEHICLE SPECIFIC AND MINE WASN'T COVERED ALTHOUGH IT HAD THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT WAS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM HAD ONLY OCCURRED IN MODELS EQUIPPED WITH FOG LAMPS. I SPENT THE LAST FIVE MILES ON MY WAY HOME LAST NIGHT WITH MY HEADLIGHTS FLICKERING ON AND OFF, AND CAN TESTIFY THAT THE PROBLEM IS NOT ONLY ON MODELS WITH FOG LAMPS. THE REP. AT THE FORD MOTOR CO. AS MUCH AS ADMITTED THAT ALL THE COUGARS IN THAT YR. AND MODEL ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME HEADLAMP SWITCH, BUT HE "COULD NOT HELP ME" BECAUSE MY VIN NUMBER WASN'T LISTED. IF I HADN'T SEEN THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS OR MY CAR WASN'T WELL MAINTAINED, I WOULD JUST REPAIR IT, BUT WHEN THEY ONLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM ON CERTIAN CARS, DEPENDING ON WHAT THE CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH, EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE SAME SWITCH, I FEEL I'M GETTING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OFF. *AK
- 11/26/2003· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
RECALL 99 V275 000/HEADLIGHTS: VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM WITH HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT AND COMING BACK ON INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 99V275 DUE TO VIN. *LA
- 11/21/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
HEAD GASKET FAILED DURING NORMAL USE-VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAINED. REPORTED DUE TO UNDERSTANDING OF EPIDEMIC OF COMMON OCCURANCES. *AK
- 11/19/1997· SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELT FAILED.
- 11/18/1996· STRUCTURE
FAILURE OF THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR HINGE, THE DOOR HINGE IS BROKEN, CAUSING THE DOOR TO OPEN WHEN MAKING A TURN. *AK
- 11/17/1998· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE DRIVING, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FLICKER ON AND OFF AND WOULD SOMETIMES BE OFF FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME. OCCASSIONALLY WOULD HAVE TO STOP AT SIDE OF ROAD AND WAIT FOR THEM TO COME BACK ON. UPON MY OWN INSPECTION I NOTICED THE SWITCH WAS QUITE HOT. I ORDERED NEW AND REPLACED THE SWITCH. THE LIGHTS HAVE WORKED NORMALLY NOW FOR THREE YEARS. IN CHECKING NHTSA FILES, HAVE NOTICED OTHER PROBLEMS SIMILAR TO THIS.
- 11/16/1995· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL LINE WAS LEAKING GAS INTO VEHICLE. *SD
- 11/07/1997· FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
CONSUMER SMELLED GAS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE CHASSIS, CAUSING WORN HOLES IN THE FUEL LINE. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CORRECTED. *AK
- 11/07/1995· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL LEAK EXTENDED FROM FUEL LINE W/FUMES ENTERING COMPARTMENT HEAVILY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
- 10/30/2000· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE FRONT DISC BRAKES HAVE FAILED SEVERAL TIMES CAUSING VIOLENT VIBRATIONS WHILE BRAKING. NLM
- 10/21/1997· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
SOMETHING WORE THROUGH THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE, CAUSING A LEAKAGE AND GASOLINE ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. *AK
- 10/17/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE 3RD TIME THE GASKET'S YES THATS RIGH BOTH OF THEM HAVE BLOWN AND HOW ODD AT 40K/80K/121K/ GEE THATS 40K FOR EACH HEAD GASKET FORD FIXED FIRST ONE THEN SAID SORRY YOUR UP S*CREEK WITH THE 2ND ONE... AND NOW THE 3RD TIME WHAT NEXT????*AK
- 10/14/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
HEAD GASKETS BLEW A LEAK DURING VEHICLE INSPECTION AT RAHWAY , NJ VEHICLE INSPECTION STATION. *AK
- 10/14/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
HEAD GASKETS BLEW A LEAK DURING VEHICLE INSPECTION AT RAHWAY, NJ INSPECTION STATION. *AK *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*734305
- 10/12/1999· STEERING,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
LOTS OF PROMBLEMS
- 10/12/1995· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN BRAKES APPLIED, VEHICLE VIBRATES OUT OF CONTROL, REPLACE ROTORS/PADS, TO NO AVAIL. TT
- 10/08/2003· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL 99V275000; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN.*AK
- 10/06/1998· WHEELS
INSPECTION STATION RECOMMENDED THAT CONSUMER CALL DEALER. DURING INSPECTION, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE AIR, THE INSPECTOR NOTICED THE 2 BACK WHEELS WOBBLING OUT OF CONTROL. *AK
- 10/01/2013· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH CAUSING SHORTS AND SPARKS. EFFECTING TURN SIGNALS, BLOWER MOTOR AND OTHER ELC. FORD ADVISED ME THAT MY VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED WITH A 1996 RECALL FOR THE SWITCH AND THAT IT WAS SERVICED AND REPLACED. YEA - REPLACED WITH A FAULTY ONE! FORD REP. SAID THE REPLACEMENT SWITCH IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I AM NOT HAPPY WITH THIS AT ALL! *TR
- 09/29/1999· SEAT BELTS
THE DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT RETRACTOR HAS GOTTEN STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION SO THAT A DRIVER WILL NOT BE PROTECTED IN A VEHICLE CRASH. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE.
- 09/23/2002· POWER TRAIN
WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 15MPH ON A ROAD, CABLE GOT STUCK BETWEEN THROTTLE, THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP. CONSUMER HAD THE PEDAL PUSHED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. *AKTHE TRANSMISSION BOOST CABLE HAD BOKEN WHICH CAUSED THE THROTTLE TO STICK THEREFORE CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT. *JG
- 09/22/2017· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS GO OUT UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, SOMETIMES WILL BLINK BACK ON AND SOMETIMES NOT. VERY DANGEROUS WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. MUST PULL OVER AND WAIT EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME TO CONTINUE DRIVING.
- 09/16/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
NO SUMMARY
- 09/08/1997· VISIBILITY
PASSENGER SIDE, POWER WINDOW STUCK.
- 09/05/1995· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE CAR ABS. THE SYSTEM FAILED TO STOP THE CAR AND WENT THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AND ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
- 08/25/1998· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS FAIL CONTINUALLY.
- 08/09/1997· SEATS
TRACKS ON FRONT SEATS ARE LOOSE ALLOWING SEATS TO ROCK BACK AND FORTH AND TO EITHER SIDES.
- 08/09/1995· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ENGINE STALLS WHILE VEHICLE MOVING AND SOMETIMES AT INTERSECTION. TT
- 08/06/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
- 08/05/1998· SEAT BELTS
THE PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S SEAT BELTS GO FORWARD, BUT THEY DO NOT RETRACT WHEN SUPPOSE TO, ONLY THE MANUAL LAP BELT WORKS. DEALER STATES SELF SERVICE REPAIR OF $150.OO PER BELT. *AK
- 08/04/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE CAR VIBRATES EXTREMELY BAD WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, ROTORS AND BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. NLM
- 07/30/2004· TIRES
WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH FRONT/REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRES BLEW OUT. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND CHANGED THE TIRES. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. NATIONAL, XT6000, SIZE 21570R15, DOT#DHM37777018. *AK A SECOND TIRE WAS REPLACED DUE TO SEVERE DEFORMITIES THAT CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO WOBBLE ALONG WITH OTHER DIFFICULTIES. (TIRE MAKE/NATIONAL XT6000X) *SC
- 07/22/1999· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
LEAKING GASOLINE UNDER PASSENGER DOOR UNDER THE REAR.CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
- 07/17/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
HEAD GASKET BLEW ON MY COUGAR. UPSET THAT THIS IS A WIDESPOREAD ISSUE AND THAT FORD FAILS TO WARRANTY THIS CLEAR DEFECT. THE DEFECT RATE FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM IS MIND BOGGLING. THE FACT THAT FORD HAS 'CHRREY PICKED' WHICH YEARS / VEHICLES TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY IS ABSURD. THE PROBLEM IS RELATED TO THE 3.8L ENGINE AND THUS ALL SUCH ENGINES SHOULD BE COVERED!*AK
- 07/10/1996· POWER TRAIN
LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILED TWICE. *AK
- 07/06/1995· SUSPENSION
THE CAR VIBRATES AND THE STEERING SHAKES AT HIGH SPEEDS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
- 07/02/2004· TIRES
ON TRIP TO OHIO ONE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE SECOND BECAME DEFORMED WHICH WOULD HAVE SHORTLY BLOWN EXCEPT IT WAS ON THE FRONT AND EXIBITED A DEFINITE WOBBLY . THE TIRES HAVE APPROXIMATELY 13,000 MILES ON THEM.MADE IN CANADA BY NATIONAL MODEL XT 6000. *AK
- 06/26/1995· EQUIPMENT
THE AA/C EVAPORATOR HOSE IA A METAL CONDENSER UNIT, A PLASTIC HOSE PUT A HOLE INTO THE EVAPORATOR, CAUSING FREON TO LEAK INSIDE INTO THE CAR. *AK
- 06/24/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
OIL LINE FAILED DUE TO CHAFFING.
- 06/24/1997· SEAT BELTSCrash
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AND THE PASSENGER WAS THROWN TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE SEAT BELT RETACTED AND PULLED HER BACK WHICH CAUSED THE BELT TO TWIST HER NECK. THE SEAT BELT NEVER FIT CORRECTLY IT, ALWAYS CAME ACROSS THE NECK. *AK
- 06/11/1998· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
RECALL 97S84, DEALER DOES NOT HAVE THE PART IN STOCK.
- 06/10/2009· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED AT NIGHT, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING WILL SPORADICALLY FAIL AND SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V275000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH) AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 139,000.