Total Complaints
25 filings
MERCURY COUGAR · model year
1984 MERCURY COUGAR
25 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1984MERCURYCOUGAR carries 25 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 3 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1984 COUGAR is electrical system:ignition:switch with 6 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (3) and service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 22 investigation files overlapping the 1984 COUGAR. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
25
Complaints
1
Crashes
3
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 6 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE | 2 |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM | 1 |
| STEERING:LINKAGES:ARM:IDLER AND ATTACHMENT | 1 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY | 1 |
| STEERING:RACK AND PINION | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20041102CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONSUMER WILL CONTACT THE DEALER IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION LEFT TIRE MARKS ON THE DRIVEWAY. *TC
Mileage: 41,000
20010925ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE STALLED AT ANY SPEED. HAS STALLED 4 TIMES SINCE PURCHASED 4 WEEKS AGO. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SAID THAT TFI MODULE AND IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO THESE COMPONENTS CAUSED ELECTRICAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE.*AK
20010925ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
VEHICLE STALLED AT ANY SPEED. HAS STALLED 4 TIMES SINCE PURCHASED 4 WEEKS AGO. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SAID THAT TFI MODULE AND IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO THESE COMPONENTS CAUSED ELECTRICAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE.*AK
20010129ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
THE IGNITION SWITCH IS TEMPERAMENTAL AND THE VEHICLE IS STALLING. *SLC
20010123ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
THE IGNITION SWITCH IS TEMPERAMENTAL AND THE VEHICLE IS STALLING. *SLC
20000918ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VERY RECENTLY I FOUND THAT THE NHTSA HAS BEEN INVESTIGATING PROBLEMS WITH MANY FORD VEHICLES FROM THE 80'S, DUE TO STALLING PROBLEMS. I OWNED A 1984 MERCURY COUGAR FOR 2 YEARS AND PUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INTO THIS VEHICHLE WITH NO SUCCESS. I KEPT ALL MY RECEIPTS KNOWING THAT SOME DAY THE PROBLEM WOULD COME OUT. I WISH TO BE PART OF THESE COMPLAINTS AGAINST FORD AND HOPES OF GETTING MONEY BACK DUE TO FORDS MISTAKE WHEN ASSEMBLING THE VEHICLES. THE MERCURY COUGAR STARTED STALLING ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, BUT GOT WORSE AS TIME WENT ON. DATES INVOLVED REPAIRS WERE FROM JANUARY OF 1989 UP TO APRIL OF 1990. FINALLY IN AUGUST OF 1990 I TRADED THE VEHICLE IN, AFTER MANY SITUATIONS OF ALMOST BAD ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE VEHICLE STALLING WHEN STOPPING OR JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE VEHICHLE WOULD JUST SHUT OFF AND IT WOULD TAKE NUMOROUS TRIES TO GET IT STARTED OR I WOULD HAVE TO GET IT TOWED. THE STRESS AND CONCERN OF MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN WAS MORE THAN I COULD HANDLE. I FEEL FORD MOTOR COM
20000706SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IN EMERGENCY STOPPING SEAT BELTS DO NOT LOCK UP. ALSO, A BUMPING AND GRINDING NOISE OCCURS IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE VIBRATES, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
20000706SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IN EMERGENCY STOPPING SEAT BELTS DO NOT LOCK UP. ALSO, A BUMPING AND GRINDING NOISE OCCURS IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE VIBRATES, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
20000706SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IN EMERGENCY STOPPING SEAT BELTS DO NOT LOCK UP. ALSO, A BUMPING AND GRINDING NOISE OCCURS IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE VIBRATES, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
19990505SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELT BUCKLE HOUSING CRACKED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
19990428STEERING:RACK AND PINION
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE RACK AND PINION FAILED (WORN OUT), CAUSING POOR STEERING ABILITY, RESULTING IN REPAIR. *YC
19981005ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE GIVES NO PRIOR WARNING AND CUTS COMPLETELY OFF. WHEN TRYING TO START BACK UP THE BATTERY LIGHT/ ENGINECHECK LIGHT KEEP COMING ON. CONTACTED DEALER . *AK
19981005UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE GIVES NO PRIOR WARNING AND CUTS COMPLETELY OFF. WHEN TRYING TO START BACK UP THE BATTERY LIGHT/ ENGINECHECK LIGHT KEEP COMING ON. CONTACTED DEALER . *AK
19981005ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE GIVES NO PRIOR WARNING AND CUTS COMPLETELY OFF. WHEN TRYING TO START BACK UP THE BATTERY LIGHT/ ENGINECHECK LIGHT KEEP COMING ON. CONTACTED DEALER . *AK
19980323ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY STALLS AND IS DIFFICULT TO START.
19970603ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH WAS MELTED WHEN OWNER TRIED TO START VEHICLE. *AK
19961205STEERING:LINKAGES:ARM:IDLER AND ATTACHMENT
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON, ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN BUT CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE/ HAD TO TURN IGNITION SWITCH OFF TO STOP. *AK
19960425FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
UPON PARKING 1 HOUR LATER FOUND INTERIOR ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *AK
19960425FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
UPON PARKING 1 HOUR LATER FOUND INTERIOR ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *AK
19960424ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO THE IGNITON SWITCH. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Compare 1984MERCURYCOUGAR to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1984 MERCURY COUGAR have?▼
The 1984 MERCURY COUGAR has 25 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1984 MERCURY COUGAR?▼
The most-complained component for the 1984 MERCURY COUGAR is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC.
Is the 1984 MERCURY COUGAR safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.