MYRModel Year Report

1990 Mercury Cougar

● Typical for this model
1990 Mercury Cougar
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:55:12.615Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
86
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1990

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

23% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 17 complaints 1985: 10 complaints 1986: 13 complaints 1986 1987: 33 complaints 1988: 55 complaints 1989: 84 complaints 1990: 86 complaints 1990 86 1991: 73 complaints 1992: 92 complaints 1993: 198 complaints 1994: 145 complaints 1995: 109 complaints 1995 1996: 62 complaints 1997: 76 complaints 1998: 1 complaint 1998 1999: 454 complaints 2000: 211 complaints 2001: 82 complaints 2001 2002: 95 complaints
1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1982 1983: 2 complaints 1984: 17 complaints 1984 1985: 10 complaints 1986: 13 complaints 1986 1987: 33 complaints 1988: 55 complaints 1988 1989: 84 complaints 1990: 86 complaints 1990 86 1991: 73 complaints 1992: 92 complaints 1992 1993: 198 complaints 1994: 145 complaints 1994 1995: 109 complaints 1996: 62 complaints 1996 1997: 76 complaints 1998: 1 complaint 1998 1999: 454 complaints 2000: 211 complaints 2000 2001: 82 complaints 2002: 95 complaints 2002
1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1981 1982: 2 complaints 1982 1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 17 complaints 1984 1985: 10 complaints 1985 1986: 13 complaints 1986 1987: 33 complaints 1987 1988: 55 complaints 1988 1989: 84 complaints 1989 1990: 86 complaints 1990 86 1991: 73 complaints 1991 1992: 92 complaints 1992 1993: 198 complaints 1993 1994: 145 complaints 1994 1995: 109 complaints 1995 1996: 62 complaints 1996 1997: 76 complaints 1997 1998: 1 complaint 1998 1999: 454 complaints 1999 2000: 211 complaints 2000 2001: 82 complaints 2001 2002: 95 complaints 2002

1990: 86 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19802
19810
19822
19832
198417
198510
198613
198733
198855
198984
199086
199173
199292
1993198
1994145
1995109
199662
199776
19981
1999454
2000211
200182
200295

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

23% · 20 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and 12v/24v/48v battery.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-01-07

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…

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-07-19

Also filed under Exterior lighting and fuel/propulsion system

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...

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-09-18

Also filed under Engine

Vehicle speed control

22% · 19 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal and linkages.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-04-20

Seat belts

17% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing webbing and retractor.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The seat belts did not hold the driver properly in a rear end accident.please describe. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-01-19

With foot on brake and rear ended, drivers lap belt button is stuck with latch separating and shoulder belt didn't restrain from hitting steering wheel.…

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-03-27

Engine and engine cooling

10% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Driver entered vehicle, put on lap/shoulder belt, put vehicle in drive position, suddenly vehicle accelerated and took off, tried to apply brakes, which did not work, driver steered vehicle towards a wall, vehicle was totaled.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-08-15

Service brakes

10% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1990-03-09Electrical system90V026000 Battery to starter cables are longer than specified; excessive cable length could contact engine damper pulley.

    Remedy: Replace battery to starter cable with correct length cable.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    1990-04-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-06-26 Hood latches fail
  3. I
    1990-06-26Engineering analysisClosed 1992-02-25 Hood latches fail
  4. R
    1991-05-24Visibility91V076000 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…

    Remedy: Apply torque retention material to wiper motor studs and nuts and retorque.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    1993-08-30Preliminary evaluationClosed 1993-12-30 Thrttl vlv linkage bushing
  6. I
    1993-12-30Engineering analysisClosed 1994-12-30 Thrttl vlv linkage bushing
  7. I
    1995-03-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 1995-07-31 Faulty seatbelt buckles
  8. R
    1996-06-07Electrical system96V071000 The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1990 Mercury Cougar — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 20 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 19 reports on file for this year.
  • Seat belts: 15 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 90V026000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 91V076000 · Visibility
  • Recall 96V071000 · Electrical system
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1990 Mercury Cougar reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1990 Mercury Cougar is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1990 Mercury Cougar?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1990 Mercury Cougar have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.