1986 Mercury Cougar Problems
- Complaints
- 13filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 3.8L 6-cyl RWD · 17 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Mercury Cougar (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 1986 Mercury Cougar. The part named most often is electrical system, with 4 complaints (31% of the total), followed by seat belts (3) and vehicle speed control (2). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 100,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns 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 system4 31%
- Seat belts3 23%
- Brakes1 7.7%
- Engine cooling1 7.7%
- Fuel system1 7.7%
- Seats1 7.7%
- Body and structure1 7.7%
Example complaints
Vehicle speed control: “Head gasket on 3.8 engine has blown two times in 8 months. Car overheats and has oil in radiator. Heater does not work. And very dim lighting on speedometer.”
NHTSA complaint #10098640, filed 2004-11, 100,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 100,000 and 100,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1986 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 RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Cougar RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 16 | 20 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Cougar RWD | 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Cougar RWD | 3.8L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 17 | 21 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Cougar RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
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
- 87V139000Sep 4, 1987Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Mercury Cougar 1986–1987, Ford Escort 1986–1988, Lincoln Town CAR 1986–1988 +18 more
Spring lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged.
- 86V065000May 21, 1986Exterior lighting › HeadlightsCovers: Mercury Cougar 1986
Headlamp covers were installed on vehicles in error. Causing the cars not to comply with fmvss 108, lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment. Consequence of defect: the headlamp covers may hinder the safe operation of the car in darkness and other…
Recall details for the 1986 Mercury Cougar → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1986 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 1986 Mercury Cougar have?
NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 1986 Mercury Cougar as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 Mercury Cougar is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 4 complaints (31% of the total), followed by seat belts with 3.
Has the 1986 Mercury Cougar been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1986 Mercury Cougar get?
The EPA rates the 1986 Mercury Cougar (Cougar, 3.8L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 17 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1986 Mercury Cougar reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 100,000 miles and the middle half falls between 100,000 and 100,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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.