1991 Mercury Cougar
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Mercury › Cougar › 1991
These records cover every 1991 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 1991 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.
The park rod assembly contains a park cam with inadequate surface hardness, which could lead to park disengagement or no park engagement when the lever IS placed in park.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If park IS not engaged and the parking brake IS off, avehicle roll-away could result.
Remedy
Replace park rod assembly on automatic transmissions.
Owner complaints
73 complaints4 involved a crash7 involved a fire5 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Exterior lighting
Headlights go out for various intervals and IS preceded by flickering and/or blinking which causes loss of visibility which increases my risk of a crash. also note a burning smell from vents when this happens. my vehicle IS a 1991 cougar and I went online to see if there was a recall for this…
Headlights go out for various intervals and IS preceded by flickering and/or blinking which causes loss of visibility which increases my risk of a crash. also note a burning smell from vents when this happens. my vehicle IS a 1991 cougar and I went online to see if there was a recall for this problem. noted recall for same problem on 1992 and 1993 models not for 1991. called ford motor company and asked if there was a recall for my model since it has the same issue as 1992 and 1993 cougars. was told no recall for this and to pay to get it fix myself. they would report problem to proper department. *tr
- Electrical system
Tl*the contact owns a 1991 mercury cougar. the contact smelled something burning while driving 50 mph. the headlights and instrument panel lights dimmed and the headlights began to flicker. the dealer stated that the circuit breaker had a short circuit. recall number 99v275000 (exterior lighting:headlights:switch) was found. the current and failure mileages were 141,000.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
This IS the second time it has had a blown head gasket. It IS not fixed yet because I can't afford it. *nm
- Vehicle speed control
Dt: the contact stated car was revving when starting it up. When putting it in drive in went down somewhat. it felt like it was going to take off by itself. This happened on 8-31-05. Back in 1998 the contact was having the same problem. She took it to a dealer, and they replaced a chip that…
Dt: the contact stated car was revving when starting it up. When putting it in drive in went down somewhat. it felt like it was going to take off by itself. This happened on 8-31-05. Back in 1998 the contact was having the same problem. She took it to a dealer, and they replaced a chip that had broken under the hood. She felt this was same problem that she experienced in 1998. the contact was planning to take vehicle to a dealer close to her as soon as possible. She was not going to drive the car because she was afraid. She will have it towed.*ak updated 11/2/2005 - *nm
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
While driving 60 mph, the anti lock braking system failed. As a result, when applying the brakes the pedal went to the floor. *ak the vehicle had been making noises since it was new. the consumer thought it was normal. the consumer was unable to find the parts. *sc *jb
- Engine and engine cooling · Visibility › Power window devices and controls
The car starts and runs well. But ever so often without any warning the engine will stall, and then it will crank right up. Lucky for me it hasn't stalled while I was making a left turn with a semi barreling down on me.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Vehicle was acting sluggish and white moke came form tailpipe. vehicle was going 35mph and overheated, causing driver to pull over. Consumer indicated that continuing to drive will cause head to warp. dealer was notified. *Ak *tt
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Consumer complains of head gasket failure. *jg
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
While driving 15-20 mph vehicle began to overheat, consumer pulled into service station to have vehicle inspected, the service mechanic stated that the head gaskets had blown. Dealer has yet to be contatced. Please provide further details. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Headlights go off while driving, brakes continue to make noise, key switch prob. Recall repair, heater blows cold, car died after excel. Restarted and drove 50 ft. Died again and know in shop & been told gaskets or busted head. I love this car and have taken extra care, engine and car keep spotless, car IS never left outside. all took place within 1 mo. IS it all tied together with one thing? *ak
- Air bags › Frontal
Air bag did not deploy upon a left turn 45 degree contact to left front. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
While driving would step on the brake pedal, but vehicle will not stop. Also, pedal felt hard. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
When consumer took vehicle to dealer for check up,technician found that engine had a blown head gasket wich happened without a warning. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
The head gasket went bad even after routine regular maintenance and only 80,000 miles on the vehicle. according to a local dealership and several mechanics this IS extremely common. I was fortunate because the heads and block were not cracked unlike the majority of the ones that are serviced. it…
The head gasket went bad even after routine regular maintenance and only 80,000 miles on the vehicle. according to a local dealership and several mechanics this IS extremely common. I was fortunate because the heads and block were not cracked unlike the majority of the ones that are serviced. it seems that if the 3.8 liter has this problem then maybe there IS a design flaw or quality problem with the gasket. the other problem IS when having this fixed, the steering pump front gasket usually breaks when the belt IS removed, this should not happen. if I had known about this design flaw in this engine I would have never purchased this or any ford vehicles with a 3.8 liter engine. also why don't the seat belts lock? *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Engine head gakset needed to be repaired at 60,000 miles. the ford dealer "shaved" the gasket. the head gasket IS now shot at 98,000 miles. I have contacted ford via the internet and phone but have had no success. ford has admitted to a defect in this same engine in the 1994-95 tauruses…
Engine head gakset needed to be repaired at 60,000 miles. the ford dealer "shaved" the gasket. the head gasket IS now shot at 98,000 miles. I have contacted ford via the internet and phone but have had no success. ford has admitted to a defect in this same engine in the 1994-95 tauruses, sables, continentals, cougars, thunderbirds, mustangs and windstars and offered reimbursement and/or money towards a new vehicle (see april 26, 2000 edition of detroit news auto section - www.detnews.com). *Ak
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
Windshield wipers work very slow, make a humming noise and stop working. nlm
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Gas tank IS leaking at the top of the tank. *mjs
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
While driving on highway headlights started to dim , and went totally out. pulled off the side of road. they came back on after waiting 10 minutes. drove about another ten miles, it happened again. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Gas tank leaks when filled completely, indicating a leak at the top of the tank or gas lines going into the tank. I have contacted ford several times but they say it IS not covered. I do not believe the leak was caused by a road hazard since it IS at the top of the tank. ford said they will not cover the repair since it has not been recalled. they did agree it IS a serious safety hazard. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Gas recirculation valve (egr valve)
Egr valve and sensor failed. nlm
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Vehicle experienced head gasket failure, recall on other models however cougar was not included even though same engine as recall models, denied recall repair (98m01). Mjs
- Structure › Body › Door
The doors on this car want close. They are too heavy and have bent the hinges. This a design failure.
- Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
While driving at 70 mph it experienced a sudden acceleration, consumer removed foot from the pedal and it stuck to the floor and accelerated to 75 while the consumer was braking hard. It just kept lunching forward. Dealer has been contacted. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Thrttl vlv linkage bushing
There is no summary currently available
- Thrttl vlv linkage bushing
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.
- 601269Announcing the ford oem air conditioning retrofit kit availability.
- 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.
- 50945Air conditioning - compressor failure - insufficient amount of refrigerant oil.
- 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.
- 39222New torque-to-yield cylinder head bolt kit.
Every Mercury Cougar model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.