NHTSA vehicle safety data
1996 Mercury Cougar
The 1996 Mercury Cougar has 2 NHTSA recalls and 62 owner complaints on record — every open recall is repaired free at an authorized Mercury dealer.
Complete safety data for the 1996 Mercury Cougar, including NCAP crash-test ratings. Data pulled live from api.nhtsa.gov.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
NHTSA #96V070000Reported April 22, 1996 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Defect description
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."
Safety consequence
THE DRIVER'S DOOR, WHEN CLOSED ONLY TO THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, MAY NOT SUSTAIN A 1,000 POUND TRANSVERSE LOAD.
Free manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE DRIVER DOOR LATCH.
Notes
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER, MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES AND MINI-VANS. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
NHTSA #96V007000Reported January 16, 1996 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
BLOWER MALFUNCTIONS LIMITING OR STOPPING OUTPUT CAN ADVERSELY AFFECT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Free manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEMI-AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL MODULES WITH MODULES CONTAINING REVISED SOFTWARE.
Notes
SYSTEM: AIR CONDITIONER; ELECTRONIC CLIMATE CONTROL MODULE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL SEMI-AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEM. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME,SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.