1989 Mercury Cougar Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year center on two clusters: sudden unintended acceleration traced by owners to throttle and cruise-control linkage parts, and automatic seat belt hardware that stops latching, retracting or moving along its track. Most reports arrive at high mileage, and many describe the car accelerating the moment it is shifted into gear or while the pedal is barely touched.

1. 1
   Vehicle speed control

   Sudden acceleration / stuck throttle linkage

   • 18 complaints (22%)
   • median 172,530 mi at 14.0 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 13 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2003

   Owners describe the car revving and surging forward or backward as soon as it is shifted into drive or reverse, sometimes with the brake already applied, and in several accounts the car could only be stopped by hitting something or shutting off the ignition. Complaints point to broken or disconnected plastic clips and bushings at the throttle valve cable and accelerator linkage, which jam the throttle partly or fully open. Owners also report cruise control engaging or holding speed on its own. Reported across a wide mileage range, from cars with no mileage recorded to one report near 205,000 miles; several describe it happening from a standstill or at parking-lot speeds.

   Recall 96V071000

   What to check: Inspect the plastic clips and bushings where the throttle cable and throttle valve cable attach to the throttle lever, and ask whether any have been replaced. With the engine off, work the pedal and check that the linkage returns fully to idle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving the vehicle the plastic block that connects the throttle valve (tv) cable to the throttle lever broke where it connects to the throttle lever. The plastic block, still connected to the tv cable, dropped down and wedged between the throttle lever and a fuel rail and prevented the throttle level from going back to the normal idle position. When approching stopped traffic at an intersection the partially open throttle prevented the vehicle from stopping as usual and a collision resulted. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10030489, filed 2003-07, 205,060 miles

   “Consumer slightly depressed gas pedal while idling and vehicle suddenly accelerated crashing into a retainer wall. Consumer sustained serious injuries. Ts”

   NHTSA complaint #10001375, filed 2002-12, 140,000 miles
2. 2
   Seat belts

   Automatic seat belt won't retract or track

   • 15 complaints (19%)
   • median 75,000 mi at 14.3 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2003

   The motorized seat belts are the most repeated theme: the driver or passenger belt stops retracting, the motor that moves the belt along the rail quits, or the buckle release button sticks and the belt cannot be used. Some owners say the belt is slack or does not lock during a collision, and a few note it is worse in cold weather or with bulky clothing. Complaints describe dealers declining free repair because the warranty had expired. Reports appear on vehicles from roughly 75,000 miles up, with many owners not recording mileage; cold weather is mentioned in several accounts.

   What to check: Cycle both belts through their full travel, listen for the track motor, and confirm the belt latches, locks when tugged and retracts. Check the buckle release button returns freely.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have tried twice to ask ford to resolve the issue of seatbelt failure in the Cougar. They have stated that although it is a vital safety component there is no recall and my warranty has expired. You should pay to have them fixed quickly. I refuse to pay in excess of 500.00 to the ford garage to fix a standard safety component ! Among the head gasket , e.g.r., trans. , p.w. Motors, and complete engine replacement, I believe I have paid for enough of their failures in this auto! …”

   NHTSA complaint #10007854, filed 2003-02, 75,000 miles

   “Automatic seatbelt on driver's side has failed ,it will not retract , causing a loss of protection possibly due to teeth that got chewed up and overworked the motor.”

   NHTSA complaint #870612, filed 2000-09
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake pedal travel and ABS faults

   • 5 complaints (6%)
   • median 93,655 mi at 14.3 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2003

   Owners describe the brake pedal sinking or continuing down on its own until the car stops, then snapping back up, along with shuddering under braking and sporadic or failed ABS operation. One owner reported the pedal going long after low-speed turns, matching the pattern described in a recall for caliper contact with the stabilizer bar. Complaints also mention high repair estimates for the ABS system. Reported from about 50 mph down to low speed and in city and highway driving; recorded mileages in the sample sit around 93,000 to 93,700 miles.

   Recall 89V081000

   What to check: Ask whether the front caliper and stabilizer bar recall work was done, then test the pedal for a long or sinking travel at low speed and check for pulsation or shudder when braking.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The consumer has experienced a rereated brake problem; when slightly pressing the brake pedal to slow down, during high/low speeds, city/highway driving, the brake pedal continues to depress on its own until it comes to a complete stop, then slaps the consumers foot as it comes back up to normal position, when the A/C is running for 15 mins, the vehicle will stall at low/no speed-and has happened to the consumer when sitting at a red light/on several times while waiting to make a left turn. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10001373, filed 2003-01, 93,655 miles

   “The ABS system failed on my 1989 Cougar while traveling at approximately 50 MPH. The car came to a stop in a small ditch with no other vehicle involved. Attempted to get the ABS system repaired but the repair shop indicated that it would cost in excess of $4000 to repair. Spent over $100 for diagnostic check. Since this vehicle is turbo-charged, a normal braking system cannot be installed which would be more reasonable priced. Braking is sporadic.”

   NHTSA complaint #759414, filed 2002-03
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Headlight lenses clouding or loosening

   Mentioned in 4 of 38 sampled complaints

   Owners say the plastic headlight covers fog, cloud or burn from bulb heat over time, dimming the beam enough that high beams become necessary at night. One report describes a passenger-side headlight coming loose because the tape holding it was not holding, and another describes dashboard lights going out after a burning smell. No clear mileage pattern in the sample; reports are spread across the vehicle's life, with one dashboard electrical report around 80,000 miles.

   What to check: Inspect both headlight lenses for haze, cracks or burn marks and check that each housing is fastened securely; also confirm all dash and warning lights illuminate normally.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The headlight lenses become fogged up after a certain amount of time, making it hard to see at night. Owner has to use high beams to see at night. Dealer has seen the vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #835382, filed 1999-03

   “While driving vehicle passenger's side headlight fell out. Also the double sided tape that holds light in place is not strong enough. Owner is very concerned for safety.”

   NHTSA complaint #816643, filed 1997-09

Buying note. On a car this old, the throttle linkage and the automatic seat belts deserve the most attention because they come up repeatedly and are hard to live with when they fail. Check those systems in person, ask for service records, and confirm whether the open recalls for the ignition switch, front brakes and rear suspension knuckles were completed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 38 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.