Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1989 Mercury Cougar. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗FORD/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
- Summary
- THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
- Consequence
- THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
SUSPENSION:SINGLE AXLE:REAR:SPRING:COIL AND ATTACH
- Summary
- IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED REAR SUSPENSION KNUCKLES COULD EXPERIENCE HIGH MILEAGE FATIGUE CRACKS AND EVENTUAL FRACTURE.
- Consequence
- THIS COULD RESULT IN REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE AT THEAFFECTED WHEEL WITH AN ADVERSE AFFECT ON CONTROL OF THE CAR, WHICH COULDCAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy
- REPLACE KNUCKLES THAT HAVE THE AFFECTED LOT CODES.
BRAKES:CALIPER
- Summary
- DUE TO CONTACT BETWEEN THE BRAKE CALIPER OF THE INBOARD FRONT WHEEL AND THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR, THERE MAY BE INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL FOLLOWING LOW SPEED TURNING MANEUVERS.
- Consequence
- THIS COULD CAUSE A REDUCTION IN BRAKE PERFORMANCETHAT COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy
- INSTALL ACORN TYPE FRONT SUSPENSION STRUT NUTS TO ELIMINATE STABILIZER BAR TO BRAKE CALIPER CONTACT.
FUEL:FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY:ATTACHMENTS
- Summary
- PLASTIC ROLLOVER VALVE MOUNTING PLATE MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SEALED TO THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK.
- Consequence
- FUEL OR VAPOR COULD LEAK, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLEFIRE.
- Remedy
- REPLACE FUEL TANK.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (81)
81 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The vehicle speed control is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 81 |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 21 | 25.9% |
| Seat belts | 17 | 21% |
| Electrical system | 12 | 14.8% |
| Service brakes | 10 | 12.3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 11.1% |
| Equipment | 6 | 7.4% |
| Power train | 6 | 7.4% |
| Steering | 4 | 4.9% |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 3.7% |
| Suspension | 3 | 3.7% |
How 1989 compares with other Cougar years
Best and worst Cougar years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 10 | 1 |
| 1986 | 13 | 2 |
| 1987 | 33 | 1 |
| 1988 | 55 | 1 |
| 1989 | 81 | 4 |
| 1990 | 86 | 3 |
| 1991 | 73 | 3 |
| 1992 | 92 | 3 |
| 1993 | 195 | 3 |
| 1994 | 137 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 20 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,350
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 444 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 20 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | $3,350 | 444 |
| 3.8 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 22 / 18 | $4,550 | 494 |
| 3.8 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | $4,850 | 523 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1989 Cougar for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1989 Mercury Cougar FAQ
How many recalls does the 1989 Mercury Cougar have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 96V071000 (electrical), 89V080000 (suspension), 89V081000 (brake), 88V165000 (fuel system). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1989 Mercury Cougar problems?
Owners filed 81 complaints with NHTSA. Vehicle speed control (21), Seat belts (17), Electrical system (12) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1989 Mercury Cougar get?
EPA rates the 3.8 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 17 city, 25 highway and 20 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1989 Cougar compare with other years?
Among the 1985–1994 Mercury Cougar model years at least five years old, the 1985 drew the fewest complaints (10) and the 1993 the most (195). The 1989 drew 81. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.