1990 Mercury Cougar
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Mercury › Cougar › 1990
These records cover every 1990 Mercury Cougar. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 1990 Mercury Cougar. Newest first.
The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition could cause overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column area of the vehicle.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Battery to starter cables are longer than specified; excessive cable length could contact engine damper pulley.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
86 complaints8 involved a crash9 involved a fire4 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system · Exterior lighting · Fuel/propulsion system
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
- Electrical system
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
- Electrical system · Engine
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
- Electrical system
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.
- Vehicle speed control
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
- Electrical system › Ignition
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
- Electrical system › Ignition · Engine and engine cooling › Engine
The vehicle's ignition module was replaced because it was defective. *Yh
- Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Passenger and driver side windows cannot remain on track. Dealer has been contacted. *Ak consumer contacted dealer to see if there were any recalls on windows coming off track, dealer informed consumer that they have fixed other cougar with this problem, consumer stated she will be driving and the…
Passenger and driver side windows cannot remain on track. Dealer has been contacted. *Ak consumer contacted dealer to see if there were any recalls on windows coming off track, dealer informed consumer that they have fixed other cougar with this problem, consumer stated she will be driving and the windows will just fall down at times, windows will just completely go down in the door, consumer has to pay someone to take the door apart to get the windows out.*jb
- Electrical system › Ignition
Ignition went bad. Ford no longer makes the part. Please provide details. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Heads/head gaskets had caused vehicle to over-heat as well as shut itself down during motion. Problem were brought to the attention of howard pontiac dealership as well as president, the following day used car manager dean schulatz had offered to make another even trade with me to a oldsmobile…
Heads/head gaskets had caused vehicle to over-heat as well as shut itself down during motion. Problem were brought to the attention of howard pontiac dealership as well as president, the following day used car manager dean schulatz had offered to make another even trade with me to a oldsmobile acheiva so he could put the vehicle I were currently operatting back in service and do the repair work needed to make it a safe vehicle for the road, but upon finding out that I have put this vehicle in a private repair shop he had declined to come forth with the money to do the repair work ,he would have found if he had serviced thisvehicle prior to the sale of this vehicle.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
The head gasket failed causing water and anit-freeze to leak into the motor, causing the vehicle to have no heat. slc
- Vehicle speed control
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
No summary
- Seat belts
Driver's side shoulder belt will not retrac/ it completely failed/ will no longer function, causing loss of shoulder restraint and protection. possibly caused by failure of motor or belts.*ak
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Also the first year I owned the car, the paint on the front bumper started coming off, and the drivers side seat motor was replaced.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Replaced accumulator on the ABS assembly to correct the problem of intermittent failure of brakes while traveling 40+ miles per hour. following this performed another diagnostic and found hydralic and pump assembly leaking rendering the car unroadworthy and needed replacement. advised the ABS failure IS a reportable safety concern and may be a basis for reimbursement of cost from manufacturer. *ak
- Vehicle speed control › Linkages
While traveling at highway speed of 60 mph with cruise control not being engaged, engine suddenly accelerated and took off. This problem also occurred on two other occasions at 30-35 mph. dealer replaced throttle control valve and cleaned out throttle body. *ak *ML
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Thie 3.8 eng IS the same as the recalls on other ford vehicle. *Ak
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
The headlights flickered on a few occassion and then later they went off and on. this was very dangerous because you couldn't drive the car for fear the lights would go out and you would create or be in an accident. the problem went away for a few months until my brother borrowed the car for a…
The headlights flickered on a few occassion and then later they went off and on. this was very dangerous because you couldn't drive the car for fear the lights would go out and you would create or be in an accident. the problem went away for a few months until my brother borrowed the car for a week and the problem returned . it was very bad that week. the lights went out at least once everyday. I changed the headlight bulb and checked the grounds, the wiring system for loose wire. I couldn't find anything. I went to the part store to inquire if they had any idea what could be wrong and they said "IS it a ford product". I said yes and they said ford had a problem with the light switches. I couldn't imagine anything as serious as this problem which they classified as a know problem and no corrective action was taken. I changed the light switch and the problem was corrected. I can't imagine a defect more dangerous than having your headlights go out while driving at night. *ak
- Seat belts › Front
I just want to know who I can take it to repair the front seat belt. its the manual lap part that IS not working properly. I would greatly appreciate your help. thanks for your time and attention. *ak
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery · Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash · Seats · Vehicle speed control
No summary listed for abov evehicle. *ak
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
Windshield wiper motor on this vehicle never adjusted! Not notified! *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc
This vehicle had numerous brake system problems within the first 3 months of being placed in service. The front rotors were warped and unbalanced resulting in uneven and excessive premature wear to the front brake pads.caliper retaining pins have inade
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
Husband IS a mechanic and said numerous cougars have come in with same problem. I feel your headlights flashing while driving could cause an accident. Confusing others drivers, along the driver him/herself not being able to see. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Engine head gasket failure at 75K miles. former ford mechanic stated he had repaired hundreds of these 3.8 head gasket failures. new shop specs for repair were for tighter torque than done at factory and replace engine bolts with larger ones. he felt it should have been a recall item, since it…
Engine head gasket failure at 75K miles. former ford mechanic stated he had repaired hundreds of these 3.8 head gasket failures. new shop specs for repair were for tighter torque than done at factory and replace engine bolts with larger ones. he felt it should have been a recall item, since it wasn't properly done at factory. have not had repairs done yet. IS there an investigation pending on this situation and/or possible recall being prepared? thank you. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Faulty seatbelt buckles
There is no summary currently available
- Thrttl vlv linkage bushing
There is no summary currently available
- Thrttl vlv linkage bushing
There is no summary currently available
- Hood latches fail
There is no summary currently available
- Hood latches fail
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 6090087Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems.
- 6089681Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses.
- 3030300Unknown
- 623988Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *Slc
- 623944Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *Slc
- 618546Subject regarding climate control - eatc - blower motor control service tips.
- 616522Subject regarding contamination from prior transmission concerns or excess wear may be trapped in the transmission fluid cooling system.
- 612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *Mjs
- 608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda.
- 606460Experiencing a whine / buzz type noise in the speakers of the entertainment radio or two-way radio on vehicles with an in-tank electric fuel pump.
- 606420Ford motor company now recommends sae 5W-30 viscosity grade for servicing any ford gasoline-powered vehicle regardless of model year.
- 603724Mass air flow (maf)- sensor contamination- service tip.
- 601343A new silicone gasket and sealant.
- 601341Experiencing a whining / buzzing noise in the speakers of the entertainment radio or two-way radio.
- 601312Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system.
- 601290Information on tire company telephone numbers for customer assistance.
- 601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart.
- 601012The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable.
- 53660Vehicles exhibiting a "squeaking" or "chirping" from the blower motor at low blower motor speeds.
- 51990Blower motor- "chirping" or "squeaking" from blower motor at low speeds.
- 51987Fuel economy- customer expectations versus vehicle usage.
- 51945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts.
- 50997Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip.
- 50940Windshield and interior glass - fog/film.
- 50908Torque converter - leak test procedure - service tip.
- 50905Wiring - electrical diode identification and service replacements.
- 46478The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable because it may be incompatible with the rubber material used in the disc brake system. If petroleum-based grease IS used to lubricate any part of the disc brake system, it could cause rubber parts to swell if lubricant contacts the rubber material.
- 45934Temperature gauge - fluctuating and /or inaccurate high readings.
- 41025A revised service windshield wiper motor IS now available.
- 39904Revised oil pan gasket.
- 39900Roughness concern during brake application.
- 39717Wiper motor replacement - upgraded service kits.
- 39237Revised wiper motor.
Every Mercury Cougar model year
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