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: 5 of 73 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports6 fire reports5 injury reports
What owners actually said
73 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEADLIGHTS GO OFF WHILE DRIVING, BRAKES CONTINUE TO MAKE NOISE, KEY SWITCH PROB. RECALL REPAIR, HEATER BLOWS COLD, CAR DIED AFTER EXCEL. RESTARTED AND DROVE 50 FT. DIED AGAIN AND KNOW IN SHOP & BEEN TOLD GASKETS OR BUSTED HEAD. I LOVE THIS CAR AND HAVE TAKEN EXTRA CARE, ENGINE AND CAR KEEP SPOTLESS, CAR IS NEVER LEFT OUTSIDE. A…
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HEADLIGHTS GO OFF WHILE DRIVING, BRAKES CONTINUE TO MAKE NOISE, KEY SWITCH PROB. RECALL REPAIR, HEATER BLOWS COLD, CAR DIED AFTER EXCEL. RESTARTED AND DROVE 50 FT. DIED AGAIN AND KNOW IN SHOP & BEEN TOLD GASKETS OR BUSTED HEAD. I LOVE THIS CAR AND HAVE TAKEN EXTRA CARE, ENGINE AND CAR KEEP SPOTLESS, CAR IS NEVER LEFT OUTSIDE. ALL TOOK PLACE WITHIN 1 MO. IS IT ALL TIED TOGETHER WITH ONE THING? *AK
NHTSA ODI #738145
Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING WOULD STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP. ALSO, PEDAL FELT HARD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #867395
Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHEN CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR CHECK UP,TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT ENGINE HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET WICH HAPPENED WITHOUT A WARNING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #865979
Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #725106
Mileage unknown · May 15, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #722729
Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingSeat Belts
THE HEAD GASKET WENT BAD EVEN AFTER ROUTINE REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND ONLY 80,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. ACCORDING TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND SEVERAL MECHANICS THIS IS EXTREMELY COMMON. I WAS FORTUNATE BECAUSE THE HEADS AND BLOCK WERE NOT CRACKED UNLIKE THE MAJORITY OF THE ONES THAT ARE SERVICED. IT SEEMS THAT IF THE 3.8 LITER HA…
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THE HEAD GASKET WENT BAD EVEN AFTER ROUTINE REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND ONLY 80,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. ACCORDING TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND SEVERAL MECHANICS THIS IS EXTREMELY COMMON. I WAS FORTUNATE BECAUSE THE HEADS AND BLOCK WERE NOT CRACKED UNLIKE THE MAJORITY OF THE ONES THAT ARE SERVICED. IT SEEMS THAT IF THE 3.8 LITER HAS THIS PROBLEM THEN MAYBE THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW OR QUALITY PROBLEM WITH THE GASKET. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS WHEN HAVING THIS FIXED, THE STEERING PUMP FRONT GASKET USUALLY BREAKS WHEN THE BELT IS REMOVED, THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. IF I HAD KNOWN ABOUT THIS DESIGN FLAW IN THIS ENGINE I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED THIS OR ANY FORD VEHICLES WITH A 3.8 LITER ENGINE. ALSO WHY DON'T THE SEAT BELTS LOCK? *AK
NHTSA ODI #722078
Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE HEAD GAKSET NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AT 60,000 MILES. THE FORD DEALER "SHAVED" THE GASKET. THE HEAD GASKET IS NOW SHOT AT 98,000 MILES. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD VIA THE INTERNET AND PHONE BUT HAVE HAD NO SUCCESS. FORD HAS ADMITTED TO A DEFECT IN THIS SAME ENGINE IN THE 1994-95 TAURUSES, SABLES, CONTINENTALS, COUGARS, THUNDE…
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ENGINE HEAD GAKSET NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AT 60,000 MILES. THE FORD DEALER "SHAVED" THE GASKET. THE HEAD GASKET IS NOW SHOT AT 98,000 MILES. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD VIA THE INTERNET AND PHONE BUT HAVE HAD NO SUCCESS. FORD HAS ADMITTED TO A DEFECT IN THIS SAME ENGINE IN THE 1994-95 TAURUSES, SABLES, CONTINENTALS, COUGARS, THUNDERBIRDS, MUSTANGS AND WINDSTARS AND OFFERED REIMBURSEMENT AND/OR MONEY TOWARDS A NEW VEHICLE (SEE APRIL 26, 2000 EDITION OF DETROIT NEWS AUTO SECTION - WWW.DETNEWS.COM). *AK
NHTSA ODI #721947
Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2000
Exterior Lighting
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY HEADLIGHTS STARTED TO DIM , AND WENT TOTALLY OUT. PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF ROAD. THEY CAME BACK ON AFTER WAITING 10 MINUTES. DROVE ABOUT ANOTHER TEN MILES, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #855817
Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline
GAS TANK IS LEAKING AT THE TOP OF THE TANK. *MJS
NHTSA ODI #550610
Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline
GAS TANK LEAKS WHEN FILLED COMPLETELY, INDICATING A LEAK AT THE TOP OF THE TANK OR GAS LINES GOING INTO THE TANK. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD SEVERAL TIMES BUT THEY SAY IT IS NOT COVERED. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY A ROAD HAZARD SINCE IT IS AT THE TOP OF THE TANK. FORD SAID THEY WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR SINCE IT HAS N…
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GAS TANK LEAKS WHEN FILLED COMPLETELY, INDICATING A LEAK AT THE TOP OF THE TANK OR GAS LINES GOING INTO THE TANK. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD SEVERAL TIMES BUT THEY SAY IT IS NOT COVERED. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY A ROAD HAZARD SINCE IT IS AT THE TOP OF THE TANK. FORD SAID THEY WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR SINCE IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. THEY DID AGREE IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. *AK
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 & remedy
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.
THE PARK ROD ASSEMBLY CONTAINS A PARK CAM WITH INADEQUATE SURFACE HARDNESS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO PARK DISENGAGEMENT OR NO PARK ENGAGEMENT WHEN THE LEVER IS PLACED IN PARK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF PARK IS NOT ENGAGED AND THE PARKING BRAKE IS OFF, AVEHICLE ROLL-AWAY COULD RESULT.
Remedy: REPLACE PARK ROD ASSEMBLY ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.
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
2
EA93033 · Thrttl Vlv Linkage Bushing
Opened Dec 30, 1993 · Closed Dec 30, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
PE93075 · Thrttl Vlv Linkage Bushing
Opened Aug 30, 1993 · Closed Dec 30, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
1991 Mercury Cougar Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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