1984 Mercury Cougar Problems
- Complaints
- 17filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 41,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 2.3L 4-cyl · 16 city / 20 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1984 Mercury Cougar (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 1984 Mercury Cougar. The part named most often is electrical system, with 7 complaints (41% of the total), followed by engine cooling (4) and brakes (2). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 41,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system7 41%
- Engine cooling4 24%
- Brakes2 12%
- Seat belts2 12%
- Steering2 12%
- Fuel system1 5.9%
- Other or unknown1 5.9%
- Vehicle speed control1 5.9%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #896821, filed 2001-09Engine cooling: “Very recently I found that the NHTSA has been investigating problems with many ford vehicles from the 80's, due to stalling problems. I owned a 1984 Mercury Cougar for 2 years and put thousands of dollars into this vehichle with no success. I kept all my receipts knowing that some day the problem would come out. I wish to be part of these complaints against ford and hopes of getting money back due to fords mistake when assembling the vehicles. The Mercury Cougar started stalling almost immediately, but got worse as time went on. …”
NHTSA complaint #731319, filed 2000-09Brakes: “When applying brakes in emergency stopping seat belts do not lock up. Also, a bumping and grinding noise occurs in the front end of the vehicle and the engine vibrates, cause unknown. Please give any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #864828, filed 2000-07Mileage when problems were reported
100% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 41,000 and 41,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1984 Mercury Cougar version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cougar | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Cougar | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Cougar | 2.3L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 16 | 20 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Cougar | 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Cougar | 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Cougar | 3.8L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 16 | 20 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Cougar | 3.8L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 16 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Cougar | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 22 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Cougar | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 20 | 16 | $4,200 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 83V134000Dec 20, 1983Seat belts › Front › AnchorageCovers: Mercury Cougar 1984, Marquis 1984, Ford Escort 1984 +15 more
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…
Recall details for the 1984 Mercury Cougar → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1984 Mercury Cougar.
Other model years of the Mercury Cougar
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 95 | 66,600 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 82 | 69,900 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 211 | 65,000 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 454 | 68,217 | 7 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 76 | 71,550 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 62 | 80,000 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 109 | 60,000 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1994 | 137 | 75,000 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 195 | 114,664 | 3 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 92 | 95,000 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 73 | 95,000 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 86 | 75,400 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 81 | 116,828 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 55 | 67,500 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 33 | — | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1986 | 13 | 100,000 | 2 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 10 | — | 1 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 17 | 41,000 | 1 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
All Mercury Cougar model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1984 Mercury Cougar have?
NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 1984 Mercury Cougar as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1984 Mercury Cougar is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 7 complaints (41% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 4.
Has the 1984 Mercury Cougar been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1984 Mercury Cougar get?
The EPA rates the 1984 Mercury Cougar (Cougar, 2.3L 4-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1984 Mercury Cougar reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 41,000 miles and the middle half falls between 41,000 and 41,000 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.