Defect
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
1988 Mercury Cougar Recalls
Recalls on record Updated July 2026
The 1988 Mercury Cougar has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 7,900,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 72 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seat belts. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
Complaints by component
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
4fires
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
3crashes3injuries2deaths
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
1fires
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
1crashes3injuries
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
1crashes
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
Total complaints72
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“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…”
“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”
“Ign. Sw. Recall work done previously 2 times by galpin lincoln-mercury. Seat belt failure reported both to galpin lincoln-mercury and ford motor corp. Because of no documented recall, they refused to repair it. I have been driving ever since without shoulder belt protection.”
“Ign. Sw. Recall work done previously 2 times by galpin lincoln-mercury. Seat belt failure reported both to galpin lincoln-mercury and ford motor corp. Because of no documented recall, they refused to repair it. I have been driving ever since without shoulder belt protection.”
“Both ford motor corp. And galpin lincoln-mercury refused to cover for repairs. Owner had to do so at his own expense. *ak”
“While driving passenger's side window fell out the car.dealer was contacted and stated the window can be fixed at consumer's expense. *ak”
Defect investigations
Investigation EA90009 Opened 1990-02-08 · closed 1991-02-28
THROTTLE STICKING
There is no summary currently available
Investigation EA95021 Opened 1995-07-31 · closed 1997-09-30
FAULTY SEAT BELT BUCKLES
There is no summary currently available
Investigation PE88097 Opened 1988-08-31 · closed 1988-12-02
FLOORMAT/ACCEL PEDAL INTRF
===
Investigation PE90001 Opened 1989-10-04 · closed 1990-02-02
THROTTLE STICKING
===
Investigation PE95019 Opened 1995-03-27 · closed 1995-07-31
FAULTY SEATBELT BUCKLES
There is no summary currently available
Sources & methodology
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1988 Mercury Cougar as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.