1995 Mercury Cougar Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1995 Mercury Cougar, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes4129.7%
- Engine2014.5%
- Transmission1913.8%
- Suspension96.5%
- Fuel system96.5%
- Driver assistance75.1%
- Electrical64.3%
- Visibility53.6%
- Interior & seats53.6%
- Powertrain (other)42.9%
- Airbags32.2%
- Steering32.2%
- Heating & air conditioning21.4%
- Body & structure21.4%
- Seat belts10.7%
- Exterior lighting10.7%
- Other / unspecified10.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE ROTORS ON THE FRONT BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER (ORIGINAL PARTS). THEY HAD BEEN REFACED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT AVAIL, BEFORE THEY WERE REPLACED. THE MASTER CYLINDER FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED DUE TO FAILURE. THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND RACK AND PINION HAS BEEN REPLACED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN WITHIN ONE YEARS TIME. *AK
MASTER CYLINDER WENT COMPLETLY OUT, AND CONSUMER CRASHED INTO ANOTHER CAR. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND THEY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. *AK
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DROVE DIFFERENTLY AT DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHUT-OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE PURVIS FORD INC LOCATED AT 3660 JEFFERSON DAVIS HWY #1, FREDERICKSBURG, VA 22408, WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IT COULD BE THE IGNITION MODULE, DISTRIBUTOR, OR THE POWER CONTROL MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A MESSAGE WAS LEFT ON THE VOICEMAIL RECORDER. THE CONTACT WAS NOT CALLED BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
TRANSMISSION WAS NOT PERFORMING. WELL. CONSUMER STATED THAT GEARS WERE NOT CHANGING, AND THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS REPLACED.*AK
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE COATING ON THE DASH BEZELS CAUSES THEM TO MELT. NLM
AIR CONDITIONER SWITCH OVERHEATS AND WILL MELT THE PLASTIC FOR DASHBOARD. THIS IS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD.*AK THE TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS AND NEW PARTS WERE INSTALLED. *YH
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CONTACT STATED APPROXIMATELY 18 MONTHS AGO HE HAD THE FRONT END REDONE. THIRTEEN MONTHS LATER THE LEFT BALL JOINT FAILED AND IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THEN, HE NOTICED Y THAT THE RIGHT BALL JOINT MALFUNCTIONED. UPON CONTACTING THE DEALERSHIP, THEY STATED THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK
TRANSMISSION WAS NOT PERFORMING. WELL. CONSUMER STATED THAT GEARS WERE NOT CHANGING, AND THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS REPLACED.*AK
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
ONE DAY I WENT OUT TO MY CAR TO GO TO WORK AND THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE APPARENT. I PROCEEDED TO START MY CAR AND FOUND IT SLOW TO START THOUGH IT DID START UP AFTER A BIT.THAT EVENING AFTER WORK AGAIN THERE WAS A GAS SMELL AND AGAIN IT TOOK LONGER TO FIRE UP.UPON ARRIVING HOME THERE WAS A BIG WET SPOT ON MY GARAGE FLOOR WHICH WAS OBVIOUSLY GASOLINE AND AT WORK THE NEXT DAY ANOTHER PUDDLE OF GAS WHERE I NORMALLY PARK. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THEY TOLD ME MY FUEL LINES HAD WORN THROUGH [CHAFED] IF YOU WILL BY IMPROPER INSTALLATION. BEING THE FUEL SYSTEM IS UNDER PRESSURE AND THE LINE WORE THROUGH THIS IS THE REASON THE CAR STARTED SLOWER THAN NORMAL ANDWHY THERE WAS A GASOLINE SMELL.LUCKILY THIS FAILURE DIDN'T CAUSE A FIRE IN MY CAR ESPECIALLY SINCE IT WAS IN MY GARAGE THOUGH THE MECHANIC SAID IT COULD HAVE. THE FUEL TANK HAD TO BE REMOVED AND REINSTALLED ALONG WITH THE PURCHASE AND REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE FUEL LINES FROM THE FUEL TANK TO THE ENGINE AT AN UNNECESSARY EXPENSE TO ME. I READ A CONSUMER REPORTS ARTICLE ABOUT RECALLS FOR 92 -93 MERCURY COUGARS AND ANOTHER ONE FOR 97 COUGARS AND AM REPORTING THIS SAME PROBLEM ON MY 1995 COUGAR.*AK
FUEL INJECTION LINES WERE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED, THIS CAUSED FRICTION AGAINST THE FUEL TANK AND CHAFED A HOLE THROUGH THE FUEL LINE, CAUSING A LEAK. *SLC
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN SLOWING DOWN FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS, APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, I TAPPED THE BRAKES TO DISENGAGE THE CRUSE CONTROL, AFTER MAKING MY EXIT IN TO A RESIDENTIAL AREA THE CRUSE CONTROL TRIED TO RESUME MY LAST RECORDED SPEED WITHOUT ME PRESSING ANY OF THE CRUSE CONTROLS. THE CAR REACHED ABOUT 50MPH IN A 35MPH ZONE AND THE RPM'S SPIKED TO ABOUT 5000 BEFORE I HAD TO MANUALLY TURN OFF THE CRUSE CONTROL.
ODOMETER STOPPED AT 40,296. I HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER OWNERS OF MY SAME CAR AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *LA
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING ALONG HWY ABOUT 40 MILES AN HOUR WHEN CAR ENGINE STOPS. THIS STOPS POWER STEERING, BRAKES ETC. TO STOP WORKING AND YOU HAVE A HARD TIME PULLING OFF THE ROAD. WAITED ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND CAR COOLS DOWN A LITTLE. IT WILL THEN START UP AGAIN AND YOU CAN GO AGAIN FOR ABOUT 1/2 MILE OR SO AND ENGINE DIES AGAIN.
THE POWER ANTENNA ONLY WORKS ONCE AND A WHILE. INTERIOR LIGHT FLICKER. THE CAR VIBRATE AT HIGH SPEED. THE TAPE PLAYER EATS TAPES. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
MULTI- FUNCTIONAL SWITCH FOR (SIGNALS, BRIGHT LIGHTS, FLASHER AND WIPERS DEFECTIVE). *JB
SENDING UNIT IN GAS TANK, WINDOW MOTOR DRIVER SIDE,TIMING GASKET LEAKING. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE POWER ANTENNA ONLY WORKS ONCE AND A WHILE. INTERIOR LIGHT FLICKER. THE CAR VIBRATE AT HIGH SPEED. THE TAPE PLAYER EATS TAPES. *AK
SEAT BACK BROKE DURING REAR END COLLISION CAUSING INJURY TO THE DRIVER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DROVE DIFFERENTLY AT DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHUT-OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE PURVIS FORD INC LOCATED AT 3660 JEFFERSON DAVIS HWY #1, FREDERICKSBURG, VA 22408, WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IT COULD BE THE IGNITION MODULE, DISTRIBUTOR, OR THE POWER CONTROL MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A MESSAGE WAS LEFT ON THE VOICEMAIL RECORDER. THE CONTACT WAS NOT CALLED BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
CONSUMER STATES ODOMETER IS INOPERATIVE, DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEAT BACK BROKE DURING REAR END COLLISION CAUSING INJURY TO THE DRIVER.
DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING FRONT END COLLISION. VEHICLE REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE, 11:00 POSITION, VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED.
BRAKES OVERHEAT, CAUSING ROTORS TO WARP. *SD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR CONDITIONER SWITCH OVERHEATS AND WILL MELT THE PLASTIC FOR DASHBOARD. THIS IS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD.*AK THE TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS AND NEW PARTS WERE INSTALLED. *YH
ELECTRIC SEAT BROKE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
SECURITY SYSTEM CONSTANTLY GOES INTO A BLINKING RED LIGHT MODE WHEN IGNITION IS TURNED OFF/BLINKING STOPS BY DISARMING SWITCH. *AK
DASH REFLECTS IN WINDSHIELD, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. *DSH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEAT BACK BROKE DURING REAR END COLLISION CAUSING INJURY TO THE DRIVER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
PLASTIC HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS MELTED AND BOTH LIGHT SOCKETS WERE BURNED BLACK. THIS HAD SMOKED ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. BULBS BEING USED ARE TOO HOT FOR ASSEMBLY, AS THERE IS NO AIR VENITLATION FOR THE HEAT TO BE VENTED. I WILL NOW HAVE TO REPLACE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY. WHILE IT DID NOT CAUSE A FIRE, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A SOURCE OF IGNITION SINCE THE PLASTIC HAD MELTED AND WAS ACTUALLY TOUCHING THE BULB. LUCKILY, THE BULB BLEW AND A FIRE DID NOT OCCUR. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING THE BOLTS IN THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BROKE OFF, CAUSING THE WHEEL TO COME OFF. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .