1992 Mercury Cougar
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Mercury › Cougar › 1992
These records cover every 1992 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 1992 Mercury Cougar. Newest first.
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 and remedy
Risk
Driver's could experience a loss of visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will install a headlight switch which incorporates a circuit breaker of revised design, and install a wiring harness connector, if needed.
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.…
Risk and remedy
Risk
This fuel leakage results in dampness and fuel odor, and if an ignition source was present, a fire could result.
Remedy
Dealers will install a plastic convolute covering around the fuel lines. if the lines show a leak, the lines will be replaced 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.
Owner complaints
92 complaints5 involved a crash2 involved a fire2 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- 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.
- Seat belts
TL* the contact owns a 1992 mercury cougar. The contact stated that the driver side seat belt retractor would remain stuck and the seat belt warning light illuminated. The contact was concerned that in the event of a crash, the seat belt would fail to secure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
- 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
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
TL* the contact owns a 1992 mercury cougar. While driving at any speed, the headlights would fail intermittently, flashing on and off. The contact had not yet spoken to the dealer and was not repaired. the current and failure mileages were not available.
- 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…
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.
- Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
The headlights of the consumer's 1992 mercury cougar would blink on and off. *cc eventually the lights remained off more than they remained on. the consumer did some research and found a recall which was related to the problem he was having with his vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the dealer…
The headlights of the consumer's 1992 mercury cougar would blink on and off. *cc eventually the lights remained off more than they remained on. the consumer did some research and found a recall which was related to the problem he was having with his vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the dealer along with a copy of the recall. the dealer checked the vehicle's vin and informed the consumer that his vehicle vin was not included in the recall. since the vehicle was not included in the recall the consumer would be responsible for the repairs. the consumer decided to replace the part himself. the defective switch was a motorcraft, e6eb-11654-aa.*nm
- 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…
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.
- Suspension › Front
Front end suspension including ball joints causing front end collapsing. *nm
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
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
- 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
- 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
- Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
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
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
Headlights experienced the same defect as stated in recall 99v275000; however, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to vin.*ak
- Steering · Structure › Frame and members
The 1992 mercury cougar involved in the accident belonged to my father, but had been loaned to me. My husband was driving it at the time of the accident. He passed out, possibly from low blood sugar and ran the car off the road. It was estimated that he was going 50mph, when he hit a dirt culvert…
The 1992 mercury cougar involved in the accident belonged to my father, but had been loaned to me. My husband was driving it at the time of the accident. He passed out, possibly from low blood sugar and ran the car off the road. It was estimated that he was going 50mph, when he hit a dirt culvert that was about 5 ft high. The impact crunched the front of the car against the firewall like it was supposed to. The problem IS that the metal cross bars in the trunk, behind the back seat snapped, which caused everything in the trunk to fly into the passenger compartment. Luckily nobody was killed in the accident from the flying debree. The force of the cross bars snapping, knocked the backseat completely out of place. If a child had been in the car, they would not have stood a chance of survival because of all the items in the trunk slamming into the passenger area.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
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
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
The head lights turned off by themselves. *jb
- Power train › Manual transmission
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
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Head gaskets blew a leak during vehicle inspection at rahway , nj vehicle inspection station. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Seats
When I drove my car to work it seemed fine. When I got into the car after work I idled really rough I thought it was the more expensive gas I put into it the night before, so I proceeded to the gas station to let them know. The car drove really rough all the way there. a red light came on on the…
When I drove my car to work it seemed fine. When I got into the car after work I idled really rough I thought it was the more expensive gas I put into it the night before, so I proceeded to the gas station to let them know. The car drove really rough all the way there. a red light came on on the dash just before I got to the gas station saying check gauges. The gauge showed that the car overheated. After having my car worked on about eight months ago for a overheating problem, it had been running really cool, so didn't think I would have a overheating problem. I turned off the car, but thought I would check to make sure the fan worked I turned the car back on and out of the tail pipe came a cloud of white smoke that disapated really fast after turning off engine. Checked oil there was no water in it, but it was low . I added a quart in order to get it home. It still had white smoke or steam coming out the tail pipe. also the seats do not lock into place. The airconditioner does not get cold. I would like to know if there IS anything else that I should be aware of that I need to have fixed.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
While driving at 25-30 mph head gasket blewout, and there was antifreeze all over engine also, vehicle became inoperative .contacted dealer, and dealer was not willing to do anything.*ak
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
Headlights intermittently flicker or go out, there IS a recall, but this vehicle IS not affected due to vin. *Ak consumer stated the repairs have been made to headlights.*slc
- Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
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…
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
- Power train
Odometer just stopped working. Consumer doesn't know correct mileage.*ak *slc
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
This engine type has had a history of this reported problem (head gasket failure). I have contacted several mechanics, and they have all reported that the problems that I am experiencing, are due to head gasket failure. I have contacted ford mo. Co., but they have provided no answers/assistance…
This engine type has had a history of this reported problem (head gasket failure). I have contacted several mechanics, and they have all reported that the problems that I am experiencing, are due to head gasket failure. I have contacted ford mo. Co., but they have provided no answers/assistance, even knowing of this major defect with this engine type. this failure IS obviously due to a factory defect, and I want it to be on record with every organization that ford should be responsible to fix at their cost. ford not taking responsibility for this engine defect IS completely unacceptable, and I expect that I will be filing suit with them unless they will take responsibility for their design flaws. if you an suggest any further action I can take, please email me at steve.tostige@fritz.com. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Head gaskets leakage water into cylinder, causing problems to engine proformance-stalling, decreased exceleration, etc. *Ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Headlight switch
Subject vehicles have a headlight switch with an internal, bimetal circuit breaker that can open due to overheating during headling operation.
- Fuel line jumper
To determine the scope of the alleged fuel line failures outside of the recall geographic region and if the recall should be expanded nationally
- Rear fuel line interference
The rear fuel tube bundle may abrade and fail in the vicinity of the fuel tank.
- 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.
- 10013060Climate control a/c service tech tips.
- 10008580Lamp-brake-invadvertent disabling of brake shift interlock.
- 10003748New transmission cooler flusher - service tips. 2003 escort and super duty f series included.
- 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
- 630001Some engine assemblies with aluminum cylinder heads repaired in-vehile have been found to leak coolant and/or oil from the cylinder head gasket area.
- 625715Brake shift interlock.*jb
- 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.
- 615466Some vehicles may require headlamp switch (11654) replacement during a normal service visit.
- 615362Some vehicles may require headlamp switch (11654) replacement during a normal service visit. Engineering IS investigating.
- 612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *Mjs
- 608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda.
- 606508Conditions with the brake lamps inadvertently disabling the brake shift interlock.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 50944Mass air flow sensor - replacement as an assembly - service tip.
- 50940Windshield and interior glass - fog/film.
- 50908Torque converter - leak test procedure - service tip.
- 50905Wiring - electrical diode identification and service replacements.
- 50356Information on aode/4r7w transmission main control & case replacement.
- 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.
Every Mercury Cougar model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.