Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
11
Latest Jul 27, 2023
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
33%
of 33 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
8
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2
What this page shows
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1987 Mercury Cougar submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 11 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming electrical
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
BrakesElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 27, 2023
Crash reportedFire reported2 injuries reported
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 ID
11534721
Incident
Feb 1, 2023
ElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 6, 2001
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 ID
885275
Incident
Dec 1, 2000
Electrical
Filed Oct 12, 2000
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 ID
872880
Electrical
Filed May 7, 1999
Fire reported
VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE THE GARAGE AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO ELECTRICAL WIRING SHORT.
NHTSA ID
837631
Incident
Apr 18, 1999
Electrical
Filed Apr 1, 1997
Fire reported
THE IGNITION SWITCH SNAPPED AND A FIRE STARTED WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. *AK
NHTSA ID
810571
Electrical
Filed Jul 8, 1996
Fire reported
AFTER PARKING, MOMENTS LATER FOUND FLAMES SHOOTING FROM UNDER HOOD, ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *AK
NHTSA ID
986668
Electrical
Filed Jun 5, 1996
WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN, IGNITION SWITCH BURNT, NO FLAMES. *AK
NHTSA ID
985298
Electrical
Filed Jun 5, 1996
Fire reported
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED DUE TO DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH, THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. *AK
NHTSA ID
985260
Incident
May 21, 1996
ElectricalEngineInterior & seats
Filed Jun 4, 1996
THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE CAR HAS GONE HAYWIRE DUE TO THE IGNITON SWITCH. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GOES OUT AND THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF. *AK VEHICLE WOULD GO ON FINE, WOULD PULL OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND THE RADIO WOULD TURN OFF TURN THE CORNER AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT, VEHICLE WOULD START BACK UP AND MAYBE THE RADIO WOULD COME BACK ON.*JB
NHTSA ID
985217
Incident
May 20, 1996
Electrical
Filed May 15, 1996
Fire reported
AFTER PARKING MOMENT LATER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. *AK
NHTSA ID
984500
Electrical
Filed Sep 11, 1995
Fire reported
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AROUND THE ALTERNATOR. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
NHTSA ID
971834
Incident
Aug 28, 1995
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own