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1989 Mercury CougarProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 81 owner complaints about the 1989 Mercury Cougar, most often about the vehicle speed control. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

47
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.1× the Cougar median · #5 of 18 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints8132 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage205kVehicle speed control, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 9, 2008. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1989 Mercury Cougar has problems

81 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
Vehicle speed control2112
Seat belts172
Electrical system127
Service brakes, hydraulic102
Engine and engine cooling94
Power train61
Equipment60
Steering41
Exterior lighting30
8 other systems111

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

4 recalls

1989 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.

–no report yet

Electrical system: ignition

Recall 96V-071 · Apr 25, 1996 · 7,900,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Rear: springs

Recall 89V-080 · May 19, 1989 · 10,600 vehicles

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE AT THEAFFECTED WHEEL WITH AN ADVERSE AFFECT ON CONTROL OF THE CAR, WHICH COULDCAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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

1989 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
6 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1989 Mercury Cougar, and the recalls they led to.

  1. THROTTLE STICKINGEA90009 · closed Feb 28, 1991
    No recall
  2. HOOD LATCHES FAILEA90034 · closed Feb 25, 1992
    No recall
  3. THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHINGEA93033 · closed Dec 30, 1994
    No recall
  4. THROTTLE STICKINGPE90001 · closed Feb 2, 1990
    No recall
  5. THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHINGPE93075 · closed Dec 30, 1993
    No recall
  6. FAULTY SEATBELT BUCKLESPE95019 · closed Jul 31, 1995
    No recall
In owners' words

What Cougar owners report

Recent vehicle speed control complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE PLASTIC BLOCK THAT CONNECTS THE THROTTLE VALVE (TV) CABLE TO THE THROTTLE LEVER BROKE WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE THROTTLE LEVER. THE PLASTIC BLOCK, STILL CONNECTED TO THE TV CABLE, DROPPED DOWN AND WEDGED BETWEEN THE THROTTLE LEVER AND A FUEL RAIL AND PREVENTED THE…
Complaint 10030489 · Jul 30, 2003 · 205,060 miles
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THE GAS PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR(ACCELERATE) TO AVOID HITTING CAR CONSUMER WENT OFF THE ROAD AND TOTALED CAR. TT
Complaint 971599 · Sep 5, 1995
CONSUMER GOT IN CAR STARTED IT UP AND IT WENT DEAD, STARTED IT UP AGAIN AND PUT INTO REVERSE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, CAR ACCELERATED BACKWARD. TT
Complaint 969491 · Jul 27, 1995

Own a 1989 Cougar?

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