The 1984 Mercury Cougar has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 530,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE D-SHAPED RING FOR THE SHOULDER BELT ARE INADEQUATELY SUPPORTED BY THE MATERIAL IN WHICH THEY ARE MOUNTED. THE ATTACHMENT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES".
DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW ATTACHING HARDWARE TO IMPROVE THE STRENGTH OF THE MOUNTING.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“While releasing the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated uncontrollably. The consumer was not able to maintain control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. The consumer will contact the dealer in the near future. The cause has not been determined at this time. Please provide further details.…”
“Vehicle stalled at any speed. Has stalled 4 times since purchased 4 weeks ago. Independent mechanic said that tfi module and ignition switch needed to be replaced. Also these components caused electrical damage to vehicle.*ak”
“Vehicle stalled at any speed. Has stalled 4 times since purchased 4 weeks ago. Independent mechanic said that tfi module and ignition switch needed to be replaced. Also these components caused electrical damage to vehicle.*ak”
“While driving the vehicle gives no prior warning and cuts completely off. When trying to start back up the battery light/ enginecheck light keep coming on. Contacted dealer . *ak”
“While driving the vehicle gives no prior warning and cuts completely off. When trying to start back up the battery light/ enginecheck light keep coming on. Contacted dealer . *ak”
“While driving the vehicle gives no prior warning and cuts completely off. When trying to start back up the battery light/ enginecheck light keep coming on. Contacted dealer . *ak”
“On several occasions the rack and pinion failed (worn out), causing poor steering ability, resulting in repair. *yc”
“Consumer smelled a very bad odor/fumes in the vehilce. *ak”
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:FORD BELIEVES THAT THE AL-LEGED DEFECT ONLY OCCURS IN A SMALL NUMBER OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ANDRECALLED ABOUT 195,732 1984 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES IN JUNE 1986.ANALYSIS: VEHICLES POTENTIALLY INVOLVED INCLUDE TEMPO/TOPAZ, ESCORT/LYNX/EXP, MUSTANG/CAPRI, LTD/MARQUIS, AND…
SUMMARY:THE SPRING UNDER INVESTIGATION CAUSES THE LATCHING PAWL TOENGAGE THE TEETH OF THE RATCHET WHEREBY THE PARKING BRAKE IS RETAINEDIN THE APPLIED POSITION.IF THE SPRING FAILS, THE PEDAL FOLLOWS THEOPERATORS FOOT BACK UP INTO THE RELEASED POSITION.FORD STATES THAT IT ISSUED THE BULLETIN IN ORDER TO INFORM…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1984 Mercury Cougar as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.