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.
1991 Mercury Cougar Recalls
Recalls on record Updated July 2026
The 1991 Mercury Cougar has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 8,031,800 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 98 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
Defect
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
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.
Defect
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
IF PARK IS NOT ENGAGED AND THE PARKING BRAKE IS OFF, AVEHICLE ROLL-AWAY COULD RESULT.
Remedy
REPLACE PARK ROD ASSEMBLY ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1injuries
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
SEAT BELTS
1crashes2injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
3fires
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
1crashes
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1fires
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Total complaints98
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Headlights go out for various intervals and is preceded by flickering and/or blinking which causes loss of visibility which increases my risk of a crash. Also note a burning smell from vents when this happens. My vehicle is a 1991 cougar and I went online to see if there was a recall for this…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1991 mercury cougar. The contact smelled something burning while driving 50 mph. The headlights and instrument panel lights dimmed and the headlights began to flicker. The dealer stated that the circuit breaker had a short circuit. Recall number 99v275000 (exterior…”
“Dt: the contact stated car was revving when starting it up. When putting it in drive in went down somewhat. It felt like it was going to take off by itself. This happened on 8-31-05. Back in 1998 the contact was having the same problem. She took it to a dealer, and they replaced a chip that had…”
“This is the second time it has had a blown head gasket. It is not fixed yet because I can't afford it. *nm”
“While driving 60 mph, the anti lock braking system failed. As a result, when applying the brakes the pedal went to the floor. *ak the vehicle had been making noises since it was new. The consumer thought it was normal. The consumer was unable to find the parts. *sc *jb”
“The car starts and runs well. But ever so often without any warning the engine will stall, and then it will crank right up. Lucky for me it hasn't stalled while I was making a left turn with a semi barreling down on me.”
“The car starts and runs well. But ever so often without any warning the engine will stall, and then it will crank right up. Lucky for me it hasn't stalled while I was making a left turn with a semi barreling down on me.”
“Vehicle was acting sluggish and white moke came form tailpipe. Vehicle was going 35mph and overheated, causing driver to pull over. Consumer indicated that continuing to drive will cause head to warp. Dealer was notified. *ak *tt”
Defect investigations
Investigation EA93033 Opened 1993-12-30 · closed 1994-12-30
THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHING
There is no summary currently available
Investigation PE93075 Opened 1993-08-30 · closed 1993-12-30
THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHING
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 1991 Mercury Cougar as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.