IllustrationFUEL LINE AND TANK LEAK GAS, CAUSING FIRE.
1990 Mercury Cougar
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cougar years →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: 4 of 86 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 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seat Belts. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
8 crash reports9 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
86 reportsWHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE IGNITION OFF A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 15 MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK
BOTH HOOD LATCHES FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY CAUSING HOOD TO WRAP AROUND WINDSHIELD. WIHDSHIELD SHATTERED AND GRILL BROKE AND FELL OFF.
FUMES HAVE A STRONG SMELL AT ALL TIMES SINCE THE BEGINNING OF DECEMBER 97. CONSUMER ALSO SEES GAS ON GROUND OF PASSENGER'S SIDE DUE TO A LEAKAGE OF GASOLINE FROM A FRACTURED FUEL FILLER PIPE AND LEAKING FUEL PUMP/SENDER. CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO DRIVE WITH WINDOWS OPEN IF OPERATING THIS VEHICLE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLE…
Read full complaint
FUMES HAVE A STRONG SMELL AT ALL TIMES SINCE THE BEGINNING OF DECEMBER 97. CONSUMER ALSO SEES GAS ON GROUND OF PASSENGER'S SIDE DUE TO A LEAKAGE OF GASOLINE FROM A FRACTURED FUEL FILLER PIPE AND LEAKING FUEL PUMP/SENDER. CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO DRIVE WITH WINDOWS OPEN IF OPERATING THIS VEHICLE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THE 92'S AND 93'S. CONSUMER WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE IN FOR CHECK AND SERVICE BETWEEN 1-5-98 AND 1-10-98.*AK
EA90-034; CONSUMER STATES WHEN TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 60 TO 65 MPH THE HOOD LATCH GAVE WAY, ALLOWING THE HOOD TO FLY UP, SMASHING INTO THE WINDSHIELD, CAUSING LOSS OF VISIBILITY. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER CAUSE OF PROBLEM WAS DETERMINED AS A FAULTY LATCH. *AK *SLC
THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE. *AK
GETTING INTO VEHICLE, NO LEVER TO CLOSE FROM INSIDE. DROPPED OFF HINGES THAT WERE WORN & OUT OF ALIGNMENT. AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELTS DO NOT ACTIVATE DUE TO DOOR NOT BEING ABLE TO CLOSE. HAVE TO HOLD IT CLOSE. AT DEALERSHIP NOW. *AK
RECALL 96V071000; BEFORE THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED THE VEHICLE STARTED WITH NO PROBLEM. NOW, AFTER THE WORK HAD BEEN PERFORMED THE VEHICLE STALLS BEFORE STARTING PROPERLY. *AK
SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUSING DAMAGE TO BRAKES AND TRANSMISSION.
VEHICLE LOST STEERING AND WAS PULLED TO THE RIGHT, CAUSING COLLISION.
Official recalls
396V071000 · Electrical System:ignition
Apr 25, 1996
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
91V076000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
May 6, 1991
THE NUTS WHICH HOLD WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR TO THE WIPER MODULE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED AND MAY LOOSEN OR COME OFF. THIS CAUSES CHANGED WIPER PATTERNS, OR THE WIPERS MAY JAM IF TWO OF THE THREE NUTS COME OFF.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CHANGES IN THE WIPER PATTERN OR JAMMING OF THE WIPERSWOULD RESULT IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILTY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Remedy: APPLY TORQUE RETENTION MATERIAL TO WIPER MOTOR STUDS AND NUTS AND RETORQUE.
90V026000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables
Feb 12, 1990
BATTERY TO STARTER CABLES ARE LONGER THAN SPECIFIED; EXCESSIVE CABLE LENGTH COULD CONTACT ENGINE DAMPER PULLEY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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 UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: REPLACE BATTERY TO STARTER CABLE WITH CORRECT LENGTH CABLE.
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
5PE95019 · 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
EA93033 · Thrttl Vlv Linkage Bushing
Opened Dec 30, 1993 · Closed Dec 30, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
PE93075 · Thrttl Vlv Linkage Bushing
Opened Aug 30, 1993 · Closed Dec 30, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
EA90034 · Hood Latches Fail
Opened Jun 26, 1990 · Closed Feb 25, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE90073 · Hood Latches Fail
Opened Apr 11, 1990 · Closed Jun 26, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available