1996 Mercury Cougar: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 62 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (32% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 1996
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 62 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 mercury cougar. The contact stated that the climate control adjuster failed. As a result, the blower would only function on high and the contact was unable to adjust the defrost system. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer to have the failure diagnosed, but they were unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 61,000 and the current mileage was 62,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 05/24/12*lj”Owner report · Visibility · Feb 2011
“Tl * the contact owns a 1996 mercury cougar. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking anti freeze abnormally. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop where the contact was advised that the plastic intake manifold was fractured and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted to report the failure. The failure and current mileage was 140,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 mercury cougar. The contact stated that the drivers side front door and the passengers side front door would open while driving at any speed. When she closed the doors they could be pushed open with little effort. Ford was contacted and stated that there were no recalls. NHTSA campaign id number: 96v070000, latches, locks, linkages, and door latch was, issued for her year, make and model vehicle. The contact was advised of the 10 year expiration period. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were approximately 114,000.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Jul 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“Movement of the fuel lines causes the nylon fuel line jumper to chafe against the floor pan. This wear can cause a pin hole in the fuel line resulting in fuel leakage. Recall # 97v159000 1992-93 mercury cougars...ford recall letter to you dated 9-17-1997..my cougar built 4-'96...1996 was the last year for this car. All cougars 1992 to 1996 should have been recalled, for the convolute covering prevention to be installed around the fuel lines per ford recall letter 573.5 (c) (8) campaign # 97s84. Pursuant to part 573 of title 49 of the code of federal regulations. *nm”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Apr 2006
“1996 mercury cougar v6 3.8 liter engine. Head gasket failure. This engine has never overheated. Roughly 80,000 miles. $1200-1500 estimate for repair. *nm”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2006
“I was driving and saw my low coolant light was on. Pulled into car parts company parking lot. Opened hood saw coolant on top of motor and underside of hood. Coolant was leaking from front of the intake manifold. Upon inspection realized the manifold is made of plastic. I attempted to stop the leak with plastic repair and a coolant system repair, no use. Had to limp the car to zender ford in spruce grove, alberta. They are fixing the car at an estimated cost of $900.00 no warranty or recall. Left me stranded 400 km's from my home. *nm”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2005
“Campaign 96v007000----on my 96 cougarxr7 purchased in 2001--had to repace motor due to overheating--new motor started to overheat/blower caused this over-heating--because blower came on eratically mechanic did not find immediately//currently out of pocketexpenses around 6000.00--dealer should of had this fixed before selling to me or at least notified me of this recall”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2005
“Driver's door latch malfunctioned. Therefore, the door didn't close fully, and could fly open while driving. The entire latch had to be replaced. *ak”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Mar 2005
“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.*ak”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2005
“96 v 070 000/structure door assembly latches and locks: on two separate occasions while driving, the driver door flew open by itself. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer made some repairs at no cost. The consumer has a concern if the problem will recur. *jb *ak”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Oct 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE CLIMATE CONTROL BLOWER DOES NOT OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE BLOWER COULD (1) STICK ON "HIGH;" (2) OPERATE ERRATICALLY WITH BLOWER OUTPUT VARYING BETWEEN NO BLOWER AND MAXIMUM BLOWER; OR (3) NOT OPERATE AT ALL DUE TO MALFUNCTION OF THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL MODULE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEMI-AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL MODULES WITH MODULES CONTAINING REVISED SOFTWARE.
WHEN IN THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, THE DRIVER DOOR LATCHES MAY OPEN WHEN SUBJECTED TO TRANSVERSE LOADS LESS THAN THAT SPECIFIED IN FMVSS NO. 206, "DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE DRIVER DOOR LATCH.
How other years compare
Check your exact Cougar by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Mercury Cougar reliable?
NHTSA has 62 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Mercury Cougar. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (32% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Mercury Cougar problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 80,000 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Mercury Cougar have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment:appliance:air conditioner. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.