1989 MERCURY COUGAR Problems & Recalls
Detailed safety information and owner complaints
Problem Breakdown
Compare to Other Years
Common Problems
THE CAR IS NOW TOAST. IT WAS ABOUT 100 MILES PAST ITS SCHEDULED OIL-CHANGE/TUNE UP BUT OTHERWISE HAS BEEN WELL-CARED-FOR AND WAS RUNNING SMOOTHLY. I WAS DRIVING, AND A BEEPING STARTED. IT SOUNDED LIKE IT'S COMING FROM THE CENTER OF THE CAR, AND THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON WARNING OF VERY LOW BATTER...
Mileage: 166,900
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 THROTT...
Mileage: 205,060
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 THROTT...
Mileage: 205,060
WHILE DRIVING, CUSTOMER SMELT A BURNING ODOR. THEN DIGITAL DASHBOARD LIGHTS WENT OUT. MAYBE CAUSE BY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE.
Mileage: 80,000
I HAVE TRIED TWICE TO ASK FORD TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE OF SEATBELT FAILURE IN THE COUGAR. THEY HAVE STATED THAT "ALTHOUGH IT IS A VITAL SAFETY COMPONENT THERE IS NO RECALL AND MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. YOU SHOULD PAY TO HAVE THEM FIXED QUICKLY." I REFUSE TO PAY IN EXCESS OF 500.00 TO THE FORD G...
Mileage: 75,000
THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED A REREATED BRAKE PROBLEM; WHEN SLIGHTLY PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN, DURING HIGH/LOW SPEEDS, CITY/HIGHWAY DRIVING, THE BRAKE PEDAL CONTINUES TO DEPRESS ON ITS OWN UNTIL IT COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP, THEN SLAPS THE CONSUMERS FOOT AS IT COMES BACK UP TO NORMAL POS...
Mileage: 93,655
THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED A REREATED BRAKE PROBLEM; WHEN SLIGHTLY PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN, DURING HIGH/LOW SPEEDS, CITY/HIGHWAY DRIVING, THE BRAKE PEDAL CONTINUES TO DEPRESS ON ITS OWN UNTIL IT COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP, THEN SLAPS THE CONSUMERS FOOT AS IT COMES BACK UP TO NORMAL POS...
Mileage: 93,655
THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED A REREATED BRAKE PROBLEM; WHEN SLIGHTLY PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN, DURING HIGH/LOW SPEEDS, CITY/HIGHWAY DRIVING, THE BRAKE PEDAL CONTINUES TO DEPRESS ON ITS OWN UNTIL IT COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP, THEN SLAPS THE CONSUMERS FOOT AS IT COMES BACK UP TO NORMAL POS...
Mileage: 93,655
CONSUMER SLIGHTLY DEPRESSED GAS PEDAL WHILE IDLING AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED CRASHING INTO A RETAINER WALL. CONSUMER SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES. TS
Mileage: 140,000
BLOWN HEAD GASKET. DEALER SAID FORD NEW OF THIS PROBLEN BUT DID NOTHING TO CORRECT IT. *AK
THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED ON MY 1989 COUGAR WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. THE CAR CAME TO A STOP IN A SMALL DITCH WITH NO OTHER VEHICLE INVOLVED. ATTEMPTED TO GET THE ABS SYSTEM REPAIRED BUT THE REPAIR SHOP INDICATED THAT IT WOULD COST IN EXCESS OF $4000 TO REPAIR. SPENT OVER $100 FOR DIAG...
PASSENGER'S SHOULDER SEAT BELT IS BROKEN. THREAD TO THE SEATBELT IS COMING APART. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH RIGHT FRONT TIRE WENT FLAT. THEN UPON CHANGING TIRE CONSUMER NOTICED RIM WAS SPLIT ON INSIDE ABOUT 12 INCHES LONG. THIS CAUSED TIRE TO GO FLAT.*AK CONSUMER STATED THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED.*SLC
AUTOMATIC SEATBELTS GET STUCK IN COLD WEATHER, SOMETIMES IF WEARING BULKY CLOTHES BELTS WILL BE LOOSE, CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS UNSAFE BECAUSE IN AN ACCIDENT CONSUMER MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED. *AK
THE DRIVERS SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT IS INOPERATIVE DUE TO FAULTY MOTOR, DEALER REFUSED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE. NLM
WHILE DRIVING VINYL PART OF ROOF MADE A CRACKING NOISE, AND VINYL PART LIFTED OFF, LEAVING METAL PART OF HOOD. VINYL WAS HANGING OVER CAR,.THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. CONSUMER DIDN'T KNOW WHICH WAY IT WOULD FALL.*AK
AUTOMATIC SEATBELT ON DRIVER'S SIDE HAS FAILED ,IT WILL NOT RETRACT , CAUSING A LOSS OF PROTECTION POSSIBLY DUE TO TEETH THAT GOT CHEWED UP AND OVERWORKED THE MOTOR. *AK
MOTOR CONTROL ON SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY( CALLED THE MOUSE) WILL NOT OPERATE THE SEAT BELT MAKING THE SHOULDER BELT INOPERATIVE
BOTH AUTOMATIC MOTOR BELTS MALFUNCTIONING CAUSING LOCK UP AND 2 INJURIES. *SLC
FRONT END KNOCK DRIVERS SIDE. COMPLETE FRONT END REPLACEMENT. STRUTS, SPRINGS, BALL JOINTS, TRANNY MOUNT. NOISE CONTINUES ON BUMPY ROADS.
WHILE TRAVELING TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. ALSO, VIBRATION WITHIN THE FRONT END WHEN TRAVELING OVER 50 MPH. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER STATED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURHTER DETAILS. *AK
WHILE TRAVELING TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. ALSO, VIBRATION WITHIN THE FRONT END WHEN TRAVELING OVER 50 MPH. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER STATED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURHTER DETAILS. *AK
WHEN PUTTING THE CAR INTO REVERSE THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING LOUD NOISES AND THE VEHICLE ACCELORATED AT FULL SPEED,COLLIDING WITH OTHER VEHICLES. A CABLE CAME DISCONNECTED FROM THE ACCELERATOR LINKAGE SYSTEM AND LODGED THE ACCELERATOR OPEN. *AK
NO SUMMARY
THE HEADLIGHT LENSES BECOME FOGGED UP AFTER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME, MAKING IT HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT. OWNER HAS TO USE HIGH BEAMS TO SEE AT NIGHT. DEALER HAS SEEN THE VEHICLE. *AK
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER. CONTACTED DEALER. NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
CONSUMER HAD FOOT ON BRAKE AND HAD VEHICLE IN PARK WHEN VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT 35 MPH AND HIT A BRICK WALL. CONSUMRER DOESN'T HAVE A VEHICLE ANY MORE. *AK
VEHICLE WA SPARKED, FACING UPHILL ON A 75 FOOT LONG DOWNWARD SLOPING DRIVEWAY OF ASPHALT. STARTED VEHICLE AND IT SUDDENLY REVVED AND ACCELERATED VIOLENTLY REARWARD. VEHICLE RACED BACKWARD, DOWN DRIVE, TOWARD STREET. DRIVER TRIED TO STOP WITH BRAKES, BUT THEY ONLY SLOWED VEHICLE A BIT. FEARING THAT V...
RUBBER VACUUM HOSE RUBS AGAINST AIR CONDITONER, CAUSING SPILLAGE OF FREON. *AK *SLC
WHILE DRIVING THE WIRING FROM THE DASH CAUGHT ON FIRE.
WHEN IN AN EMERGENCY OR UPON WARNING OTHER MOTORIST WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE HORN PAD, CONSUMER HAD TO APPLY GREAT FORCE TO THE HORN IN ORDER FOR THE HORN TO SOUND. *AK
ENGINE FAILED.
TRANSMISSION FAILED.
BRAKES FAILED.
RIGHT FRONT ABS BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. ALSO RIGHT FRON TPADS/ROTORS FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHUDDER UPON BRAKING. *AK
RIGHT FRONT ABS BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. ALSO RIGHT FRON TPADS/ROTORS FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHUDDER UPON BRAKING. *AK
VEHICLE FIRE.
SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN STARTED, CAUSING ACCIDENT.
POWER STEERING LINES LEAK FLUID.
BRAKE PADS/SHOE FAILED CAUSING NOISE.
POWER WINDOWS FAILED.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED.
AIR CONDITIONER FAILED.
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE PASSENGER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT FELL OUT. ALSO THE DOUBLE SIDED TAPE THAT HOLDS LIGHT IN PLACE IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH. OWNER IS VERY CONCERNED FOR SAFETY. *AK
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.
WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FULL, ABOUT (3) GALLONS OF FUEL LEAKS FROM THE TANK. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK
DURING NORMAL PEDAL OPERATION PEDAL WILL STICK, CAUSING ERRATIC ACCELERATION. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
CONSUMER SON WAS DRIVING ABOUT 20-25 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE STARTED TO PICK UP SPEED, HITTING 45 MPH, LOST CONTROL OF CAR, ENGINE LOCKED UP, SHIFT GEAR GOT STUCK. DUE TO THIS DEFECT, CONSUMER HAD TO HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT IN ORDER TO STOP. *AK
WHEN STARTING THE CAR AND SHIFTING INTO DRIVE WITH THE FOOT ON THE BRAKE, IT COULD NOT BE STOPPED. THE ACCELERATOR WAS ON THE FLOOR BY ITSELF. THE CAR HAD TO BE TURNED OFF.
VEHICLE WAS IN IDLE POSITION IN PARK, PUT IN GEAR INTO DRIVE, VEHICLE WENT INTO OPEN THROTTLE POSITION, PEDAL WENT THE FLOOR, TRIED TO BRAKE, RPMS UNKNOWN, IMPACT 12:00 POSITION, HITTING A PARKED VEHICLE. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
VEHICLE WAS IN IDLE POSITION IN PARK, PUT IN GEAR INTO DRIVE, VEHICLE WENT INTO OPEN THROTTLE POSITION, PEDAL WENT THE FLOOR, TRIED TO BRAKE, RPMS UNKNOWN, IMPACT 12:00 POSITION, HITTING A PARKED VEHICLE. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
VEHICLE WAS IN IDLE POSITION IN PARK, PUT IN GEAR INTO DRIVE, VEHICLE WENT INTO OPEN THROTTLE POSITION, PEDAL WENT THE FLOOR, TRIED TO BRAKE, RPMS UNKNOWN, IMPACT 12:00 POSITION, HITTING A PARKED VEHICLE. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR FAILED, BECAUSE THE FACTORY DID NOT INSTALL A LARGE ENOUGH CLUTCH FOR THE COMPRESSOR.
WHILE DRIVING PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THERE WAS SUDDEN ACCELERATION TO 75 MPH; ALSO, TAPPED ON THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE WENT IN NEUTRAL. MANUFACTURER SAID THE TRANSMISSION CABLE BUSHING BROKE, CAUSING THE ACCELERATOR TO JAM. *AK
WHILE DRIVING PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THERE WAS SUDDEN ACCELERATION TO 75 MPH; ALSO, TAPPED ON THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE WENT IN NEUTRAL. MANUFACTURER SAID THE TRANSMISSION CABLE BUSHING BROKE, CAUSING THE ACCELERATOR TO JAM. *AK
LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING.
ALTERNATOR FIRE.
INTERMITTENT STALLING. *AK
INTERMITTENT STALLING DUE TO ENGINE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILURE.
BRAKES FAILED.
ELECTRICAL WIRING FIRE.
PLASTIC HEADLIGHT COVERS GET BURNED FROM THE HEAT OF THE BULBS, CAUSING COVER TO BECOME CLOUDY, WHICH REDUCES VISIBILITY.
IDLE SPEED CONTROL VALVE FAILED TWICE.
AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR FAILED THREE TIMES.
DURING VEHICLE OPERATION THE STEERING WHEEL WILL RELEASE BY ITSELF AND TILT DOWNWARD. *AK
THROTTLE LINKAGES AND CONTROL PROBLEM. (2ND VEHICLE ON 601564/503665)
WIRE RUBBING AGAINST A/C EVAPORATOR CREATED A PIN HOLE WHICH ALLOWED FLUID TO LEAK. *AK
THE DRIVER'S LAP SEAT BELT WILL NOT STAY LOCKED. PLEASE EXPAIN IN DETAIL. *AK
TURNED ON IGNITION, SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE, ENGINE ACCELERATED TO HIGH SPEED, PICKED UP MORE SPEED WITH FOOT ON BRAKES, STOPPED AFTER HITTING BRICK HOUSE, NO PRIOR WARNING.*AK
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE.
WHEN BUCKLE RELEASE IS PRESSED, THE RELEASE BUTTON FAILS TO POP BACK OUT, PREVENTING SEAT BELT USE UNTIL THE BUTTON CAN BE FREED. THE RELEASE BUTTON APPEARS.*AK
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE DASH AREA WIRING SYSTEM. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
VEHICLE FIRE: CAUGHT ON FIRE IN EITHER THE ALTENATOR OR THE WIRING HARNESS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
VEHICLE FIRE: CAUGHT ON FIRE IN EITHER THE ALTENATOR OR THE WIRING HARNESS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE, DRIVER EXPERIENCED ACCELERATION OF SPEEDS FROM 45-55 MPH TO APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. *AK
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, AFTER BEING DRIVEN 60 MILES AND PARKED, MELTING DASH/BURNING STEERING COLUMN. *DSH
DRIVERS PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILS TO MOVE ALONG RAIL, W/PASSENGER SIDE STARTING TO EXPERIENCE SAME CONDITION. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).
SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *DH
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR SOMETIMES DON'T LOCK IN SOMETIMES WHEN MOVING THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. TT
WHEN APPLYING THE GAS THE CAR WHIPS AROUND AND CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
DRIVERS SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILS TO LATCH. *DSH
THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHEN DRIVING AND VEHICLE STALLS. TT
THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHEN DRIVING AND VEHICLE STALLS. TT
WHEN THE VENTILATION IS BEING USED THERE IS A LEAK ON THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR . TT
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILURE, BELT BUCKLE WILL UNLATCH BY ITSELF. TT
AUTOMATIC DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILURE, IT FAILED TO OPERATE. TT
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
THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAME LOOSE . TT
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
BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING BACKWARD. *AK
AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELTS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING BELT TO STICK HALFWAY UP TRACK. *SKD
ENGAGED IN REVERSE, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INTO A WALL, THEN ENGAGED IN DRIVE, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK
HAD VEHICLE ACCIDENT BECAUSE THROTTLE STICKING WIDE OPEN. *AK
THE TWO BACK PASSENGER SEATBELTS CAN BE PULLED APART WITH VERY LITTLE EFFORT WHEN SEEMED LOCKED.PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
FRONT BRAKE ROTORS REPLACED 5 TIMES AFTER RECALL WORK PERFORMED. *SKD
PLASTIC CLIP TO THROTTLE VALVE BROKE CAUSING TUBING TO GET CAUGHT IN ACCELERATOR SPRING MECHANISM;JAMMED ACCELERATOR, ENGINE ACCELERATED;FROZE AT 50 MPH. *AK
TRANSMISSION LINKAGE GROMMET BROKE BEHIND CABLE ARM CAUSING VEHICLE TO SURGE. TT
HOOD LATCH CAME OPEN WHILE DRIVING, PULLED OFF HWY TO PREVENT ACCIDENT. TT
MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE, CAUSING ENGINE TO SIT ON OIL PAN, RUBBING A HOLE IN IT WHICH CAUSED OIL TO SPLASH ONTO ENGINE/TRANSMISSION.EXHAUST.
CRANK CASE PULLEY BROKE OFF.
CLUTCH ASSEMBLY REPLACED ONCE DUE TO FAILURE, REPLACED TWICE DUE TO SOFT CLUTCH PEDAL. *SKD
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED TWICE.
SHOULDER BELT DID NOT GRAB/HOLD DRIVER DURING 3-WAY ACCIDENT; FRONT RIGHT FENDER HIT RIGHT REAR BUMPER OF STOPPED VEHICLE; DRIVER'S CHEST HIT STEERING WHEEL.