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1990 Mercury CougarProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 86 owner complaints about the 1990 Mercury Cougar, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the Cougar median · #8 of 18 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints8621 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage75kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 19, 2018. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1990 Mercury Cougar has problems

86 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 system196
Vehicle speed control185
Seat belts152
Engine and engine cooling92
Service brakes, hydraulic92
Exterior lighting50
Latches/locks/linkages50
Visibility40
Fuel system, gasoline41
6 other systems112

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

3 recalls

1990 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

Windshield wiper/washer: motor

Recall 91V-076 · May 6, 1991 · 125,000 vehicles

Risk. CHANGES IN THE WIPER PATTERN OR JAMMING OF THE WIPERSWOULD RESULT IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILTY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

12v/24v/48v battery: cables

Recall 90V-026 · Feb 12, 1990 · 72 vehicles

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…

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

1990 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
NHTSA crash tests

1990 Mercury Cougar safety ratings

1990 Mercury Cougar 2-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1990 Mercury Cougar, and the recalls they led to.

  1. HOOD LATCHES FAILEA90034 · closed Feb 25, 1992
    No recall
  2. THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHINGEA93033 · closed Dec 30, 1994
    No recall
  3. HOOD LATCHES FAILPE90073 · closed Jun 26, 1990
    No recall
  4. THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHINGPE93075 · closed Dec 30, 1993
    No recall
  5. FAULTY SEATBELT BUCKLESPE95019 · closed Jul 31, 1995
    No recall
In owners' words

What Cougar owners report

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

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
Complaint 11112292 · Jul 19, 2018 · 235,000 miles
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
Complaint 11024160 · Sep 19, 2017 · 61,800 miles
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…
Complaint 11024101 · Sep 18, 2017 · 60,000 miles

Own a 1990 Cougar?

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