CarRecallWatchThe 1988 Mercury Cougar has 1 safety recall on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 55 complaints with NHTSA, including 7 crashes, 6 fires, 8 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Seat Belts (20 reports).
1988 Mercury Cougar recalls
Most common 1988 Mercury Cougar problems
Problem areas named in the 55 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 20 |
| Electrical System | 14 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 10 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 6 |
| Visibility | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Seats | 2 |
What owners report
ON FEB 12, 1994 MY WIFE AND HER FRIEND TOOK MY RED 1988 MERCURY COUGAR LS TO CHURCH AT 6:30 PM. IT WAS AN EXTREMELY FOGGY EVENING. I RECEIVED A CALL AT THE HOUSE AT 6:50 PM THAT MY WIFE HAD BEEN IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND THAT I NEEDED TO COME TO THE SITE. MY CAR WAS IN MINT CONDITION INSIDE AND OUT BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. WHEN I SAW THE CAR, IT WAS UNBELIEVABLE!! MY WIFE, WITNESSES, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND GOODYEAR TIRE CONCLUDED THAT IT WAS THE MERCURY COUGAR?S COMPUTER THAT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO GO FULL-THROTTLE. DIANE, MY WIFE AND PASSENGER TESTIFIED THAT WHEN THE ENGINE SURGED, SHE PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE CAR. AFTER NO AVAIL, SHE APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THIS CAUSED
THE RIGHT SELTBELT BUCKLE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FAILS OFTEN. FORD NO LONGER SUPPLIES THESE BUCKLES, AND THEY ARE VERY SCARCE IN WRECKING YARDS.*AK
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A TIRE THAT FAILED FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE. FRONT LEFT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM A CHEVROLET BLAZER 1984, AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL. VEHICLE HIT TWO OTHER VEHICLES, ONE BEING THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, AND CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE. DURING THE CRASH CONSUMER'S WRIST WAS BROKEN AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK *JB
THE IGNITION SWITCH DOES NOT IGNITE IF THE GEAR SHIFT IS NOT COMPLETELY UP. IT APPEARS THERE IS NOT ENOUGH COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE ELECTRICAL IGNITION SWITCH AND THE GEAR SHIFT.*AK
RECALL 96 V 071 000/IGNITION SWITCH: RECALL REPAIRS WAS DONE AT BAYWAY LINCOLN, MERCURY; HOUSTON, TX; PHONE# 281/ 929-6500. AT THE PRESENT TIME PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
1988 Mercury Cougar questions
Does the 1988 Mercury Cougar have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 1988 Mercury Cougar: Electrical System:Ignition. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 1988 Mercury Cougar?
Based on 55 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Seat Belts (20), Electrical System (14), Vehicle Speed Control (10).
How do I check if a recall on my 1988 Mercury Cougar has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.