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1987 Mercury Cougar

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 0 of 33 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports8 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

33 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2023
Electrical SystemPower TrainService BrakesCrashFireInjury

Brake pads constantly keeps running out on front driver, passenger front brakes are still good but rotor keeps running out unevenly, no brake fluid leaks but needs refill every 3rd about 3/4 of a pints bottle, making a left turn it accelerated by itself brakes didn't react, instead of causing in a big accident, pulled the steer…

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Brake pads constantly keeps running out on front driver, passenger front brakes are still good but rotor keeps running out unevenly, no brake fluid leaks but needs refill every 3rd about 3/4 of a pints bottle, making a left turn it accelerated by itself brakes didn't react, instead of causing in a big accident, pulled the steering wheel, went through a fence and a brick wall stopped my car, checked all fuses replaced fuses if needed, confirmed fuses AMP Ganges with the vehicle own owners manual, dashboard backlights keeps going on and off on it's own, automatic transmission after complete stop it sets it self at neutral , a few taps on the gas pedal then it goes to 1st shift, only has 129,000 miles, 1987 Mercury Cougar LS 5.0l windsor engine, 20th Anniversary Edition

NHTSA ODI #11534721

Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2001
Visibility

WINDSHIELD INOPERABLE. *YH

NHTSA ODI #562351

Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE WOULD STALL.*AK THE VEHICLE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT GOES SMOTH AGAIN. THE TECHNICIANS AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPT DISCOVERED THAT THE TFI IGNITION MODUELE FAILURE WAS THE CAUSE. *YH

NHTSA ODI #885275

Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2000
Seat Belts

A PENNY, NICKLE, AND A QUARTER FELL INTO THE FEMALE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, PROBABLY OVER TIME FROM POCKETS AND/OR THE CONSOLE. THE TONGUE AND BUCKLE JAMMED AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE DRIVER CUT HERSELF OUT WITH A SISSORS AFTER BEING TRAPPED. THE TONGUE COULD BE RELEASED FROM THE BUCKLE BY SLIPPING A THIN SCREWDRIVER ALONG THE SIDE OF…

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A PENNY, NICKLE, AND A QUARTER FELL INTO THE FEMALE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, PROBABLY OVER TIME FROM POCKETS AND/OR THE CONSOLE. THE TONGUE AND BUCKLE JAMMED AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE DRIVER CUT HERSELF OUT WITH A SISSORS AFTER BEING TRAPPED. THE TONGUE COULD BE RELEASED FROM THE BUCKLE BY SLIPPING A THIN SCREWDRIVER ALONG THE SIDE OF THE TONGUE INTO THE BUCKLE AND PUSHING DOWN. REINSERTING THE TONGUE INTO THE BUCKLE WITH THE COINS IN IT CAUSED THE SAME JAM WITH THE SAME PROCEDURE TO RE-RELEASE. NO EXPERIMENT WAS PERFORMED TO FIND OUT HOW MANY OR WHICH COIN WAS CAUSING THE JAM, ALL, ONE OR SOME. THE BUCKLE STICKS UP IN THE AIR LIKE A COIN SLOT. NO CHILDREN WOULD HAVE PUT COINS IN THE SLOT SO THEY MUST HAVE GOT IN INADVERTENTLY FROM POCKETS OR THE CONSOLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #734996

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2000
Electrical System

VEHICLE KEEPS STALLING DUE TO A TFI MODULE THAT WAS PLACED TOO CLOSE TO ENGINE WHICH WILL OVERHEAT. CONSUMER IS AWARE OF NATIONAL CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #872880

Mileage unknown · May 7, 1999
Electrical SystemFire

VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE THE GARAGE AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO ELECTRICAL WIRING SHORT.

NHTSA ODI #837631

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicVisibility

THE WIRE PIPE MADE A LOUD NOISE. WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE MADE A POPPING NOISE. DEALER CONTACTED AND ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR. ALSO, TOOK THE HEATER CORE APART, AND THERE IS NOW NO HEAT IN THE VEHICLE, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #828904

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 1998
Fuel System, GasolineFire

AFTER VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED. FIRE OCCURRED IN RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF VEHICLE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. POSSIBLE FUEL RELATED FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #826408

Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 1998
Unknown Or Other

UNSPECIFIED.

NHTSA ODI #537462

Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 1997
Electrical SystemFire

THE IGNITION SWITCH SNAPPED AND A FIRE STARTED WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #810571

Official recalls

1

87V139000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Sep 4, 1987

SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.

Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

EA95021 · Faulty Seat Belt Buckles

Opened Jul 31, 1995 · Closed Sep 30, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

There is no summary currently available

PE95019 · Faulty Seatbelt Buckles

Opened Mar 27, 1995 · Closed Jul 31, 1995

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

There is no summary currently available

PE88097 · Floormat/accel Pedal Intrf

Opened Aug 31, 1988 · Closed Dec 2, 1988

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

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