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1984 Mercury CougarProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 17 owner complaints about the 1984 Mercury Cougar, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints173 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem7Electrical system

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 6, 2005. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1984 Mercury Cougar has problems

17 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system72
Engine and engine cooling40
Service brakes, hydraulic20
Seat belts20
Steering20
Visibility10
Vehicle speed control11
Fuel system, gasoline10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1984 Mercury Cougar recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mercury.

Best & worst years

1984 vs. every other Cougar year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Cougar median. How we score

'67'68'69'70'71'72'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1984 Mercury Cougar, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SEATBACK FAILUREEA86010 · closed Jul 28, 1989
    Led to recall 86V-082
  2. PARKING BRAKE FAILUREPE89039 · closed Jun 13, 1989
    No recall
In owners' words

What Cougar owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. SHE GOT INTO THE CAR AND STARTED THE IGNITON AND SMOKE CAME OUT/THEN IT WENT UP IN FLAMES. PLEASE DESCRIBE.*AK
Complaint 983044 · Apr 19, 1996
VEHICLE STALLED AT ANY SPEED. HAS STALLED 4 TIMES SINCE PURCHASED 4 WEEKS AGO. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SAID THAT TFI MODULE AND IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO THESE COMPONENTS CAUSED ELECTRICAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE.*AK
Complaint 896821 · Sep 25, 2001
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE GIVES NO PRIOR WARNING AND CUTS COMPLETELY OFF. WHEN TRYING TO START BACK UP THE BATTERY LIGHT/ ENGINECHECK LIGHT KEEP COMING ON. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
Complaint 828571 · Oct 5, 1998

Own a 1984 Cougar?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.