AI Damage1987 Mercury Cougar: common problems
Owners of the 1987 Mercury Cougar filed 33 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and seat belts. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 33
- involving a crash
- 3
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 39% of all complaints
- 2 Seat belts 33% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 15% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 15% of all complaints
- 5 Vehicle speed control 9% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel system 6% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 6% of all complaints
- 8 Visibility 6% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 13 complaints (39% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Seat belts: 11 complaints (33% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 5 complaints (15% of all).
- Service brakes: 5 complaints (15% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Vehicle speed control: 3 complaints (9% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 5 L · petrol · 8 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 33 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 13 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Brake pads constantly keeps running out on front driver, passenger front brakes are still good but rotor keeps running out unevenly, no brake fluid leaks but needs refill every 3rd about 3/4 of a pints bottle, making a left turn it accelerated by itself brakes didn't react, instead of causing in a big accident, pulled…
Driver's seatback broke after being hitting in the rear at 35mph, while sitting still in stopped traffic.
Gas pedal stuck, brakes did not stop vehicle ended up hitting a tree. Tt
While traveling and without any indication vehicle would stall. The vehicle stalled numerous times, but goes smoth again. The technicians after several attempt discovered that the tfi ignition moduele failure was the cause.
The tongue could be released from the buckle by slipping a thin screwdriver along the side of the tongue into the buckle and pushing down. Reinserting the tongue into the buckle with the coins in it caused the same jam with the same procedure to re-release.
Vehicle keeps stalling due to a tfi module that was placed too close to engine which will overheat. Consumer is aware of national class action lawsuit in the state of illinois.
Also, took the heater core apart, and there is now no heat in the vehicle, the problem still exists.
After vehicle had been driven it caught on fire while parked. Fire occurred in right front side of vehicle. Cause unknown. Possible fuel related fire.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 6,523 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 18% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Cougar has 73 complaints (26 years in the data). This year has 33, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
- Cougar 198417 sources
- Cougar 198510 sources
- Cougar 198613 sources
- Cougar 198855 sources
- Cougar 198981 sources
- Cougar 199086 sources
- Cougar 199173 sources
- Cougar 199292 sources
- Cougar 1993195 sources
- Cougar 1994137 sources
- Cougar 1995109 sources
- Cougar 199662 sources
- Cougar 199776 sources
- Cougar 1999454 sources
- Cougar 2000211 sources
- Cougar 200182 sources
- Cougar 200295 sources
- Cougar 99994 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1987 Mercury Cougar?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, seat belts, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 33. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: seat belts (24%), smoke, burning smell, fire (24%), stalls while driving (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1987 Mercury Cougar?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1987 Mercury Cougar from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1987 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.