How many recalls does the 1990 Mercury Cougar have?

The 1990 Mercury Cougar has 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 1990 Mercury Cougar has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 1990 Mercury Cougar?

Of 104 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is vehicle speed control.

1990 Mercury Cougar Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1990 Mercury Cougar has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 8,025,072 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 104 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the vehicle speed control. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 96V071000 1996-04-25 7,900,000 affected

Defect

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

VISIBILITY 91V076000 1991-05-06 125,000 affected

Defect

THE NUTS WHICH HOLD WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR TO THE WIPER MODULE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED AND MAY LOOSEN OR COME OFF. THIS CAUSES CHANGED WIPER PATTERNS, OR THE WIPERS MAY JAM IF TWO OF THE THREE NUTS COME OFF.

Consequence

CHANGES IN THE WIPER PATTERN OR JAMMING OF THE WIPERSWOULD RESULT IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILTY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS.

Remedy

APPLY TORQUE RETENTION MATERIAL TO WIPER MOTOR STUDS AND NUTS AND RETORQUE.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 90V026000 1990-02-12 72 affected

Defect

BATTERY TO STARTER CABLES ARE LONGER THAN SPECIFIED; EXCESSIVE CABLE LENGTH COULD CONTACT ENGINE DAMPER PULLEY.

Consequence

CABLE PROTECTIVE COVERING AND INSULATION COULD WEAR THROUGH AND CAUSE A DIRECT SHORT TO GROUND, RESULTING IN OVERHEATING OF THE CABLE INSULATION AND POSSIBLY A UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy

REPLACE BATTERY TO STARTER CABLE WITH CORRECT LENGTH CABLE.

Complaints by component

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

SEAT BELTS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Total complaints104

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Seat belt doesn't stay locked and latch broke, automatic head lights don't work the digital instrument cluster don't work and as soon as is gets so hot it vaper locks a lot”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2018-06-18

“Seat belt doesn't stay locked and latch broke, automatic head lights don't work the digital instrument cluster don't work and as soon as is gets so hot it vaper locks a lot”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2018-06-18

“Seat belt doesn't stay locked and latch broke, automatic head lights don't work the digital instrument cluster don't work and as soon as is gets so hot it vaper locks a lot”

EXTERIOR LIGHTING · reported 2018-06-18

“After starting vehicle flickering on off of dash lights,panel completely out and now will not come back on,creating an issue driving,unable to see speed,milage gas usage,when checking under hood I was given an electrical shock,the motor was running,immediately turned off motor”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2017-09-10

“Heavy traffic on state highway engine overheating alarm activated,incident has occured twice,in traffic,everything had to be turned off and I had to pull off of highway, other complaint dash panel lights out with definitely electrical issue,almost will not start,this occured while driving and now…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2017-06-11

“Heavy traffic on state highway engine overheating alarm activated,incident has occured twice,in traffic,everything had to be turned off and I had to pull off of highway, other complaint dash panel lights out with definitely electrical issue,almost will not start,this occured while driving and now…”

ENGINE · reported 2017-06-11

“Tl* the contact owns a 1990 mercury cougar. The contact stated smoke emitted from underneath the hood when the engine was turned on and within seconds the engine was on fire. The fire department advised the fire originated at a fuse box located in the battery and alternator area. The vehicle was…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2014-01-06

“The consumer pressed on the accelerator and accelerated way too fast and he bolted forward striking a concrete barrier. *dt consumer sent additional letter regarding results from incident. *tgw 04/06/10 the vehicle was inspected and it was found that the throttle linkage was defective. *jb”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · reported 2008-04-02