1996 Mercury Cougar Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 10%of 62 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,327miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the brakes of the 1996 Mercury Cougar, 10% of the 62 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,327 miles.
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.
“Dt: without warning while stepping on brake the car will accelerate, and the engine will rev up. Caller has to stomp on brake hard to get it to stay still. Car can be in gear or in park when this happens. Dealer has not been contacted yet. Manufacturer has not been contacted yet. Every time he has tapped the brake just before this happens.”
NHTSA complaint #10123922, filed 2005-06, 44,000 miles“Check for coolant leak at intake manifold. Replaced intake manifold. There were regular oil changes and tire rotation. The engine light had come on, and the coolant light would come on and off. The dealer had to replace the engine sensor light and added a cup of water. …”
NHTSA complaint #10101992, filed 2004-11, 36,654 miles“The first time the front rotors had to be resurfaced the vehicle only had 10,000 miles on it, than it was resurfaced again and finally we had to have new rotors installed. The same problem started happening again causing the brakes to wear, rotors resurfaced again, than new tires in the front were wearing out of rounds, now this will be the fifth time we have to have the rotors repaired (resurfaced). The steering wheel vibrates terribly when applying the brakes due to this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #724029, filed 2000-06“The rear brake rotors need to be cut due to warping. This is the first problem with the rear brakes but, the front rotors have had to be cut down every 12,000-15,000 miles since new. At 48,000 miles the front rotors could not be cut any more and needed replaced. They were cut three times before being replaced. I had a similar problem with a 1989 Mercury Cougar and Mercury did find a problem eith the rotors being to thin. After being replaced I never had another problem with them for over 70,000 miles. I'm trying to find out if there is any know problems or repairs for my car.”
NHTSA complaint #706802, filed 1999-05“The brake rotors have rusted, resulting in car making noises and after the brakes were applied, the steering wheel vibrated. Please give more detail informaton.”
NHTSA complaint #803016, filed 1996-09Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 2 | 2% |
| 2001 | 4 | 5% |
| 2000 | 12 | 6% |
| 1999 | 77 | 17% |
| 1997 | 12 | 16% |
| 1996 | 6 | 10% |
| 1995 | 40 | 37% |
| 1994 | 29 | 21% |
| 1993 | 22 | 11% |
| 1992 | 8 | 9% |
| 1991 | 11 | 15% |
| 1990 | 9 | 10% |
| 1989 | 10 | 12% |
| 1988 | 3 | 5% |
| 1987 | 5 | 15% |
| 1986 | 1 | 8% |
| 1984 | 2 | 12% |
Other parts of the 1996 Mercury Cougar
21 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsTires
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 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