Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA about the 1987 Mercury Cougar, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 11 | 28% |
| Seat belts | 10 | 26% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 5% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 5% |
| Power train | 1 | 3% |
| Visibility | 1 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Brake pads constantly keeps running out on front driver, passenger front brakes are still good but rotor keeps running out unevenly, no brake fluid leaks but needs refill every 3rd about 3/4 of a pints bottle, making a l
NHTSA complaint: Power train
WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE WOULD STALL.*AK THE VEHICLE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT GOES SMOTH AGAIN. THE TECHNICIANS AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPT DISCOVERED THAT THE TFI IGNITION MODUELE FAILURE WAS T
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
A PENNY, NICKLE, AND A QUARTER FELL INTO THE FEMALE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, PROBABLY OVER TIME FROM POCKETS AND/OR THE CONSOLE. THE TONGUE AND BUCKLE JAMMED AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE DRIVER CUT HERSELF OUT WITH A SISSORS AFTE
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
VEHICLE KEEPS STALLING DUE TO A TFI MODULE THAT WAS PLACED TOO CLOSE TO ENGINE WHICH WILL OVERHEAT. CONSUMER IS AWARE OF NATIONAL CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE THE GARAGE AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO ELECTRICAL WIRING SHORT.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE WIRE PIPE MADE A LOUD NOISE. WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE MADE A POPPING NOISE. DEALER CONTACTED AND ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR. ALSO, TOOK THE HEATER CORE APART, AND THERE IS NOW NO HEAT IN THE VEHICLE, THE PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
AFTER VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED. FIRE OCCURRED IN RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF VEHICLE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. POSSIBLE FUEL RELATED FIRE. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
THE IGNITION SWITCH SNAPPED AND A FIRE STARTED WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1987 Mercury Cougar. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Risk: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
Fix: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
| Reliability raw | 88 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 81 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 72 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 64 | average |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 11 of them (28%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 88/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 81/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1987 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 72/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.