1988 Mercury Cougar Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 18%of 55 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1988 Mercury Cougar, 18% of the 55 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“On feb 12, 1994 my wife and her friend took my red 1988 Mercury Cougar ls to church at 6:30 pm. It was an extremely foggy evening. I received a call at the house at 6:50 pm that my wife had been in a car accident and that I needed to come to the site. My car was in mint condition inside and out before the accident. When I saw the car, it was unbelievable!! My wife, witnesses, law enforcement and goodyear tire concluded that it was the Mercury Cougar?s computer that caused the engine to go full-throttle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10118272, filed 2005-04, 60,000 miles“While backing out of a parking space the vehicle suddenly and uncontrollably accelerated into a brick wall. The vehicle has been totalled. Consumer was injured in accident. Tp sensor replaced due to stalling.”
NHTSA complaint #816443, filed 1997-09“While depressing gas pedal vehicle went into a full unwanted acceleration. Vehicle taken to dealer, cruise control disconnected. Possibly faulty wiring in cruise control.”
NHTSA complaint #834749, filed 1999-02“Vehicle experienced unexpected and unintended acceleration from apark position. Independent engineer identified the problem as a cruise control cable holding the throttle opened, ea90-009.”
NHTSA complaint #502576, filed 1996-03Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 4 | 4% |
| 2001 | 3 | 4% |
| 2000 | 16 | 8% |
| 1999 | 31 | 7% |
| 1997 | 2 | 3% |
| 1996 | 5 | 8% |
| 1995 | 7 | 6% |
| 1994 | 11 | 8% |
| 1993 | 4 | 2% |
| 1992 | 8 | 9% |
| 1991 | 9 | 12% |
| 1990 | 18 | 21% |
| 1989 | 21 | 26% |
| 1988 | 10 | 18% |
| 1987 | 3 | 9% |
| 1986 | 2 | 15% |
| 1985 | 2 | 20% |
| 1984 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1988 Mercury Cougar
16 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsEngine cooling
6 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 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