MYRModel Year Report

1990 Mercury Cougar

● Typical for this model
1990 Mercury Cougar
RENDERED 2026-09-17T02:49:58.866Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Mercury Cougar Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1990 highlighted. 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 1989 1990: 86 complaints 1990 1991: 73 complaints 1992: 92 complaints 1992 1993: 198 complaints 1994: 145 complaints 1995: 109 complaints 1995 1996: 62 complaints 1997: 76 complaints 1998: 1 complaints 1998 1999: 454 complaints 2000: 211 complaints 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%

23% of complaints: electrical system — 20 distinct reports on file, 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, 20140107

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20180719

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, 20170918

Also filed under ENGINE

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 22%

22% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing accelerator pedal and linkages.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20100420

SEAT BELTS 17%

17% of complaints: seat belts — 15 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing webbing and retractor.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT HOLD THE DRIVER PROPERLY IN A REAR END ACCIDENT.PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19960119

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. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950327

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 10%

10% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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.*AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19960815

SERVICE BRAKES 10%

10% of complaints: service brakes — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19900309 — electrical system

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.

Campaign 90V026000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19900411 — PE (closed 19900626)

HOOD LATCHES FAIL

I 19900626 — EA (closed 19920225)

HOOD LATCHES FAIL

R 19910524 — visibility

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

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

Campaign 91V076000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19930830 — PE (closed 19931230)

THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHING

I 19931230 — EA (closed 19941230)

THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHING

I 19950327 — PE (closed 19950731)

FAULTY SEATBELT BUCKLES

R 19960607 — electrical system

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Campaign 96V071000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1990 Mercury Cougar — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (20 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (19 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (15 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 90V026000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 91V076000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 96V071000 (electrical system) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1987 ▲ 1988 ● 1996

WORST YEARS

■ 1999 ■ 2000 ■ 1993

See all years ranked →

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 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.