1987 Mercury Cougar Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 6%of 33 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1987 Mercury Cougar, 6% of the 33 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 the steering wheel, went through a fence and a brick wall stopped my car, checked all fuses replaced fuses if needed, confirmed fuses AMP Ganges with the vehicle own owners manual, dashboard backlights keeps going on and off on it's own, automatic transmission after complete…”
NHTSA complaint #11534721, filed 2023-07“Automatic transmission failure, transmission fails to fully engage into indicated gears. Tt when in park, transmission sometimes is in reverse unless shoved into back full force, when in drive the indicator shows neutral, consumer states this failure occurred after the catalytic converter was replaced. Shoulder strap refuses to engage and pulls tight against the body.”
NHTSA complaint #973252, filed 1995-10Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 10 | 11% |
| 2001 | 10 | 12% |
| 2000 | 9 | 4% |
| 1999 | 50 | 11% |
| 1997 | 10 | 13% |
| 1996 | 4 | 6% |
| 1995 | 23 | 21% |
| 1994 | 36 | 26% |
| 1993 | 3 | 2% |
| 1992 | 4 | 4% |
| 1991 | 1 | 1% |
| 1990 | 2 | 2% |
| 1989 | 6 | 7% |
| 1987 | 2 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1987 Mercury Cougar
13 complaintsSeat belts
11 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsInterior lighting
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1987 Mercury Cougar
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology