1988 Mercury Cougar Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 11%of 55 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1988 Mercury Cougar, 11% of the 55 complaints for this model year. 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.
“While driving about any speed vehicle will shut down, but all electrical parts will still be working, like headlights/ radio/ power window, and air conditioner. But not cold and motor will still be working; ignition module had been replaced four times, and now has to be replaced again.”
NHTSA complaint #874762, filed 2000-11“Vehicle stalls when starting from a complete stop or a rolling stop, recall 96v071 was completed on vehicle, but the problem still exists possibly due to an engine failure.”
NHTSA complaint #557171, filed 2000-11Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 11 | 12% |
| 2001 | 11 | 13% |
| 2000 | 26 | 12% |
| 1999 | 67 | 15% |
| 1997 | 30 | 39% |
| 1996 | 21 | 34% |
| 1995 | 19 | 17% |
| 1994 | 32 | 23% |
| 1993 | 105 | 54% |
| 1992 | 18 | 20% |
| 1991 | 17 | 23% |
| 1990 | 9 | 10% |
| 1989 | 9 | 11% |
| 1988 | 6 | 11% |
| 1987 | 5 | 15% |
| 1986 | 1 | 8% |
| 1985 | 1 | 10% |
| 1984 | 4 | 24% |
Other parts of the 1988 Mercury Cougar
16 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1988 Mercury Cougar
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology