RoadVitals

1991 Mercury Cougar Electrical Problems

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.
10
Latest Jul 25, 2007
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.
14%
of 73 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.
6
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

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 1991 Mercury Cougar submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 10 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

Electrical
Filed Jul 25, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH. THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS DIMMED AND THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CIRCUIT BREAKER HAD A SHORT CIRCUIT. RECALL NUMBER 99V275000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH) WAS FOUND. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 141,000.

NHTSA ID
10197452
Incident
Jul 24, 2007
Mileage
141,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Feb 10, 1998

FUEL TANK SENDER/PUMP LEAKS AT SOLDERED TUBE, CAUSING FUMES.

NHTSA ID
530192
Incident
Nov 6, 1997
BrakesElectricalFuel system
Filed Dec 31, 1996

ELECTRICAL SHORT.

NHTSA ID
513354
Incident
Dec 26, 1996
Electrical
Filed Aug 20, 1996
Fire reported

IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE.

NHTSA ID
507701
Incident
Jun 15, 1996
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 2, 1996
Fire reported

PARKED CAR AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE.*AK CONSUMER STATESVEHICLE WAS PARKED AND ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER IT WAS ON FIRE NEAR STEERING WHEEL AREA.*JB

NHTSA ID
986389
Incident
Apr 17, 1996
Electrical
Filed Jun 21, 1996
Fire reported

DROVE VEHICLE ABOUT 200 YDS, SAW SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN, STOPPED & CHECKED UNDER HOOD, FEW MINUTES LATER FLAMES WERE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN. *AK

NHTSA ID
986009
Incident
Dec 7, 1995
Electrical
Filed May 13, 1996
Fire reported

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO THE ALTENATOR. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

NHTSA ID
984334
Incident
Feb 10, 1996
Electrical
Filed Apr 26, 1996
Fire reported

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OR SHOCK CAUSED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND WIRES IN THE STEERING COLUMN TO CATCH ON FIRE WHILE PARKED. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

NHTSA ID
983643
Electrical
Filed Apr 24, 1996
Fire reported

WHILE PARKED IN FRONT OF HOME, OWNER HEARD EXPLOSION SOUND; CAME OUT TO CHECK; VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED WITH FLAMES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE, UNDERDASH/UNDERHOOD. *AK

NHTSA ID
983474
Incident
Dec 20, 1995
BrakesElectricalVisibility
Filed Jan 2, 1996

IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE, CAUSES LOSS OF POWER WINDOWS AND BRAKING. TT

NHTSA ID
977243
Incident
Dec 29, 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

Engine17Brakes11Seat belts9Driver assistance9Exterior lighting8

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .