1989 Mercury Cougar Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 21%of 81 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the seat belts of the 1989 Mercury Cougar, 21% of the 81 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“When buckle release is pressed, the release button fails to pop back out, preventing seat belt use until the button can be freed. The release button appears.”
NHTSA complaint #985030, filed 1996-05“Shoulder belt did not grab/hold driver during 3-way accident; front right fender hit right rear bumper of stopped vehicle; driver's chest hit steering wheel.”
NHTSA complaint #962654, filed 1995-03Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 3 | 3% |
| 2000 | 2 | 1% |
| 1999 | 5 | 1% |
| 1997 | 3 | 4% |
| 1996 | 3 | 5% |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% |
| 1994 | 4 | 3% |
| 1993 | 8 | 4% |
| 1992 | 5 | 5% |
| 1991 | 9 | 12% |
| 1990 | 15 | 17% |
| 1989 | 17 | 21% |
| 1988 | 16 | 29% |
| 1987 | 11 | 33% |
| 1986 | 3 | 23% |
| 1985 | 1 | 10% |
| 1984 | 2 | 12% |
Other parts of the 1989 Mercury Cougar
21 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsEquipment
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1989 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