RoadVitals

1996 Mercury Cougar

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
62
Latest Aug 24, 2011
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Apr 22, 1996
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 62 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Mercury Cougar, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and visibility categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 115 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine2129.2%
  • Brakes68.3%
  • Visibility68.3%
  • Body & structure56.9%
  • Driver assistance56.9%
  • Interior & seats45.6%
  • Tires & wheels45.6%
  • Transmission45.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
96V070000

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

Apr 22, 1996
73,500 units potentially affected
The defect: WHEN IN THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, THE DRIVER DOOR LATCHES MAY OPEN WHEN SUBJECTED TO TRANSVERSE LOADS LESS THAN THAT SPECIFIED IN FMVSS NO. 206, "DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS."
The risk: THE DRIVER'S DOOR, WHEN CLOSED ONLY TO THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, MAY NOT SUSTAIN A 1,000 POUND TRANSVERSE LOAD.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE DRIVER DOOR LATCH.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
96V007000

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

Jan 16, 1996
10,600 units potentially affected
The defect: UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE CLIMATE CONTROL BLOWER DOES NOT OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE BLOWER COULD (1) STICK ON "HIGH;" (2) OPERATE ERRATICALLY WITH BLOWER OUTPUT VARYING BETWEEN NO BLOWER AND MAXIMUM BLOWER; OR (3) NOT OPERATE AT ALL DUE TO MALFUNCTION OF THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL MODULE.
The risk: BLOWER MALFUNCTIONS LIMITING OR STOPPING OUTPUT CAN ADVERSELY AFFECT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEMI-AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL MODULES WITH MODULES CONTAINING REVISED SOFTWARE.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA01001ClosedEngineering Analysis

BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS

Opened Jan 5, 2001
Closed Jul 31, 2001

There is no summary currently available

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMLed to recall 01I009000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 62
Visibility
Filed Aug 24, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLIMATE CONTROL ADJUSTER FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE BLOWER WOULD ONLY FUNCTION ON HIGH AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ADJUST THE DEFROST SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/24/12*LJ

NHTSA ID
10421395
Incident
Feb 1, 2011
Mileage
61,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 25, 2011

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING ANTI FREEZE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS FRACTURED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID
10378684
Incident
Dec 25, 2010
Mileage
140,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jul 20, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT DOOR AND THE PASSENGERS SIDE FRONT DOOR WOULD OPEN WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. WHEN SHE CLOSED THE DOORS THEY COULD BE PUSHED OPEN WITH LITTLE EFFORT. FORD WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 96V070000, LATCHES, LOCKS, LINKAGES, AND DOOR LATCH WAS, ISSUED FOR HER YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED OF THE 10 YEAR EXPIRATION PERIOD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 114,000.

NHTSA ID
10344201
Incident
Jul 19, 2010
Mileage
114,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 5, 2008

WHILE DRIVING MY 1996 COUGAR THIS PAST SEPTEMBER, WHICH HAS ONLY 40,360 MILES ON IT AND IS STORED MOST OF THE YEAR FOR THE PURPOSES OF COLLECTING AND PRESERVING THE VEHICLE INDEFINITELY, AT LOW SPEEDS I NOTICED THE OBVIOUS SIGN OF COOLANT AND THE SMELL OF COOLANT COMING FROM UP UNDER THE HOOD. I THEN SHUT THE VEHICLE DOWN RIGHT AWAY AND DISCOVERED COOLANT RUNNING ONTO THE GROUND BELOW. NOW, BEING OF AN EXPERIENCED NATURE WITH AUTOMOBILES AND USING CLOSE OBSERVATION OF THE PROBLEM IT APPEARED TO BE EMANATING FROM THE FRONT OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. I THEN DISCOVERED AFTER THE FACT THAT THESE 4.6 LITER ENGINES ARE NOTORIOUS FOR THIS INTAKE CRACKING PROBLEM, SO NOW I WILL BE PURCHASING AN UPGRADED AND IMPROVED INTAKE FOR AROUND $223.00 THAT IS DESIGNED AS A REPLACEMENT FOR THIS DEFECTIVE MANIFOLD. I THEN HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO MY PLACE OF RESIDENCE AT THE COST OF AROUND $100.00 QUESTION IS? WHY THEN AM I ONE OF THOSE OWNERS THAT WERE NOT GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET A COVERED REPLACEMENT WHEN IT IS VERY APPARENT THAT MY YEAR 1996 MERCURY COUGAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE 4.6 ENGINES RECALL. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTROUS SITUATION DAMAGING OR SHORTENING THE LIFE OF A WELL CARED FOR ENGINE. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS SIMPLY NOT A COMPONENT THAT SHOULD FAIL, I REALIZE THAT THIS DOESN'T APPLY TO EVERY COMPONENT ON A VEHICLES ENGINE BUT IT DOES AND SHOULD APPLY TO THIS COMPONENT BECAUSE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS PART, SINCE THE POTENTIAL COST INCURRED TO AN OWNER IF IT OVERHEATS THE ENGINE COULD BE QUITE HIGH AND THIS IS COMPLETELY SOLVABLE BY PROPER COMPONENT DESIGN AS IS WELL PROVEN WITH GOOD DESIGNS IN THE MANY AUTOMOBLES PRODUCED IN PAST YEARS. *CN

NHTSA ID
10213808
Incident
Sep 12, 2007
Mileage
40,359 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 15, 2006

MOVEMENT OF THE FUEL LINES CAUSES THE NYLON FUEL LINE JUMPER TO CHAFE AGAINST THE FLOOR PAN. THIS WEAR CAN CAUSE A PIN HOLE IN THE FUEL LINE RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. RECALL # 97V159000 1992-93 MERCURY COUGARS...FORD RECALL LETTER TO YOU DATED 9-17-1997..MY COUGAR BUILT 4-'96...1996 WAS THE LAST YEAR FOR THIS CAR. ALL COUGARS 1992 TO 1996 SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED, FOR THE CONVOLUTE COVERING PREVENTION TO BE INSTALLED AROUND THE FUEL LINES PER FORD RECALL LETTER 573.5 (C) (8) CAMPAIGN # 97S84. PURSUANT TO PART 573 OF TITLE 49 OF THE CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS. *NM

NHTSA ID
10155402
Incident
Apr 10, 2006
Mileage
80,700 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 6, 2006

1996 MERCURY COUGAR V6 3.8 LITER ENGINE. HEAD GASKET FAILURE. THIS ENGINE HAS NEVER OVERHEATED. ROUGHLY 80,000 MILES. $1200-1500 ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR. *NM

NHTSA ID
10154769
Incident
Apr 5, 2006
Mileage
80,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 11, 2005

I WAS DRIVING AND SAW MY LOW COOLANT LIGHT WAS ON. PULLED INTO CAR PARTS COMPANY PARKING LOT. OPENED HOOD SAW COOLANT ON TOP OF MOTOR AND UNDERSIDE OF HOOD. COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM FRONT OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. UPON INSPECTION REALIZED THE MANIFOLD IS MADE OF PLASTIC. I ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE LEAK WITH PLASTIC REPAIR AND A COOLANT SYSTEM REPAIR, NO USE. HAD TO LIMP THE CAR TO ZENDER FORD IN SPRUCE GROVE, ALBERTA. THEY ARE FIXING THE CAR AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $900.00 NO WARRANTY OR RECALL. LEFT ME STRANDED 400 KM'S FROM MY HOME. *NM

NHTSA ID
10139306
Incident
Oct 2, 2005
Mileage
100,109 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 16, 2005

CAMPAIGN 96V007000----ON MY 96 COUGARXR7 PURCHASED IN 2001--HAD TO REPACE MOTOR DUE TO OVERHEATING--NEW MOTOR STARTED TO OVERHEAT/BLOWER CAUSED THIS OVER-HEATING--BECAUSE BLOWER CAME ON ERATICALLY MECHANIC DID NOT FIND IMMEDIATELY//CURRENTLY OUT OF POCKETEXPENSES AROUND 6000.00--DEALER SHOULD OF HAD THIS FIXED BEFORE SELLING TO ME OR AT LEAST NOTIFIED ME OF THIS RECALL

NHTSA ID
10125564
Incident
May 29, 2005
Mileage
12,918 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

03181

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT

03148

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER - SERVICE TIPS. 2003 ESCORT AND SUPER DUTY F SERIES INCLUDED. *TT

03261

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

NEW SERVICE PART - NUMBER 5 NEEDLE BEARING AND RACE KIT - 4R70W TRANSMISSION - SERVICE TIP. *TT

02221

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE-GEAR DRIVEN SYNCHRONIZERS-INCORRECT INSTALLATION-CAMSHAFT POSITION SYNCHRONIZER (CMP) INSTALLATION TOOL CORRECT APPLICATION. *MJ

870197

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

INCORRECTLY INSTALLED GEAR DRIVEN CAMSHAFT POSITION (CMP) SENSOR SYNCHRONIZER ASSEMBLIES CAUSING SURGE, LOST OF POWER, MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P1336, P1309 AND P0340. *TT

02208

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

CLIMATE CONTROL A/C SERVICE TECH TIPS. *EH

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mercury Cougar by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2002953052.7
2001823053.2
20002115054.4
19994549155.6
1998101—
1997760140.3
1996Viewing622148.7
19951090142.9
19941370142.8
19931953255.7
1992923457.8
1991733261.0
1990863564.9
1989814670.7
1988551560.2
1987331360.4
1986132156.4
1985101149.7
1984171254.6
1983232—
1982241—
1981011—
1980222—
1979030—
1978221—
1977040—
1976010—
1975020—
1974020—
1973200—
1972010—
1971010—
1970010—
1969040—
1968010—
1967020—
1962100—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.