SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

1987 Mercury Cougar

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
33Owner complaints

Model-year median: 2

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

3Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
17
198410
198513
198633
198755
198881
198986
1990
Compare all Cougar years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
13Seat Belts
11Engine And Engine Cooling
5Service Brakes, Hydraulic
4Vehicle Speed Control
3
All reported categories
Fuel System, Gasoline
2Power Train
2Visibility
2Interior Lighting
1Seats
1Service Brakes
1Unknown Or Other
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 0 of 33 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports8 fire reports2 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

13 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2023
Electrical SystemPower TrainService BrakesCrashFireInjury

Brake pads constantly keeps running out on front driver, passenger front brakes are still good but rotor keeps running out unevenly, no brake fluid leaks but needs refill every 3rd about 3/4 of a pints bottle, making a left turn it accelerated by itself brakes didn't react, instead of causing in a big accident, pulled the steer…

Read full complaint

Brake pads constantly keeps running out on front driver, passenger front brakes are still good but rotor keeps running out unevenly, no brake fluid leaks but needs refill every 3rd about 3/4 of a pints bottle, making a left turn it accelerated by itself brakes didn't react, instead of causing in a big accident, pulled the steering wheel, went through a fence and a brick wall stopped my car, checked all fuses replaced fuses if needed, confirmed fuses AMP Ganges with the vehicle own owners manual, dashboard backlights keeps going on and off on it's own, automatic transmission after complete stop it sets it self at neutral , a few taps on the gas pedal then it goes to 1st shift, only has 129,000 miles, 1987 Mercury Cougar LS 5.0l windsor engine, 20th Anniversary Edition

NHTSA ODI #11534721

Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE WOULD STALL.*AK THE VEHICLE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT GOES SMOTH AGAIN. THE TECHNICIANS AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPT DISCOVERED THAT THE TFI IGNITION MODUELE FAILURE WAS THE CAUSE. *YH

NHTSA ODI #885275

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2000
Electrical System

VEHICLE KEEPS STALLING DUE TO A TFI MODULE THAT WAS PLACED TOO CLOSE TO ENGINE WHICH WILL OVERHEAT. CONSUMER IS AWARE OF NATIONAL CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #872880

Mileage unknown · May 7, 1999
Electrical SystemFire

VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE THE GARAGE AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO ELECTRICAL WIRING SHORT.

NHTSA ODI #837631

Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 1997
Electrical SystemFire

THE IGNITION SWITCH SNAPPED AND A FIRE STARTED WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #810571

Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 1997
Electrical System

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRING, CAUSING THE WIRING IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO BURN OUT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #807611

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 1996
Electrical SystemFire

AFTER PARKING, MOMENTS LATER FOUND FLAMES SHOOTING FROM UNDER HOOD, ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *AK

NHTSA ODI #986668

Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 1996
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN, IGNITION SWITCH BURNT, NO FLAMES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #985298

Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 1996
Electrical SystemFire

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED DUE TO DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH, THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #985260

Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 1996
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE CAR HAS GONE HAYWIRE DUE TO THE IGNITON SWITCH. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GOES OUT AND THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF. *AK VEHICLE WOULD GO ON FINE, WOULD PULL OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND THE RADIO WOULD TURN OFF TURN THE CORNER AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT, VEHICLE WOULD START BACK UP AND MAYBE THE RADIO WOULD COME …

Read full complaint

THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE CAR HAS GONE HAYWIRE DUE TO THE IGNITON SWITCH. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GOES OUT AND THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF. *AK VEHICLE WOULD GO ON FINE, WOULD PULL OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND THE RADIO WOULD TURN OFF TURN THE CORNER AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT, VEHICLE WOULD START BACK UP AND MAYBE THE RADIO WOULD COME BACK ON.*JB

NHTSA ODI #985217

Official recalls

1

87V139000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Sep 4, 1987

SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.

Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

EA95021 · Faulty Seat Belt Buckles

Opened Jul 31, 1995 · Closed Sep 30, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

There is no summary currently available

PE95019 · Faulty Seatbelt Buckles

Opened Mar 27, 1995 · Closed Jul 31, 1995

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

There is no summary currently available

PE88097 · Floormat/accel Pedal Intrf

Opened Aug 31, 1988 · Closed Dec 2, 1988

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

===