VehicleVerdict

1978 Mercury Cougar problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 2 complaints on file for the 1978 Mercury Cougar — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

2

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1978 compare to other Cougar years?

Cougar NHTSA complaints by model year, 1978 highlighted740 complaints1962: 1 complaints1967: 0 complaints1968: 0 complaints1969: 0 complaints1970: 0 complaints1971: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 3 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 2 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 3 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 2 complaints1983: 2 complaints1984: 25 complaints1985: 22 complaints1986: 20 complaints1987: 49 complaints1988: 72 complaints1989: 104 complaints1990: 104 complaints1991: 98 complaints1992: 122 complaints1993: 236 complaints1994: 178 complaints1995: 160 complaints1996: 77 complaints1997: 112 complaints1998: 1 complaints1999: 740 complaints2000: 283 complaints2001: 103 complaints2002: 127 complaints
Cougar NHTSA complaints by model year, 1978 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cougar years to avoid →

What are the most common 1978 Mercury Cougar problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts2100%

Does the 1978 Mercury Cougar have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08E019000Fuel SystemMarch 6, 2008 · 1,937 units

Defect

INTERCONTINENTAL AUTO PARTS IS RECALLING 1,937 FUEL FILTERS, P/NOS ALG 44/1 AND PUROLATOR F10024, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 14 AND FEBRUARY 13, 2008, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FILTER'S OUTLET CAP MAY NOT BE SECURELY CRIMPED TO THE HOUSING. THIS COULD RESULT IN A SEPARATION OF FILTER'S OUTLET CAP FROM THE HOUSING.

Consequence

IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, A NO START CONDITION MAY RESULT AND FUEL MAY BE PUMPED ONTO THE GROUND. IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP DUE TO INADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, FUEL LEAKAGE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

INTERCONTINENTAL WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING MARCH 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT INTERCONTINENTAL AT 800-451-2593.

78V108000Seat BeltsMay 15, 1978 · 110,000 units

Defect

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH SHOULDER HARNESS RETRACTORS THAT MAY NOT LOCK. SHOULD THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN DECELERATION OR IMPACT, THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE RESTRAINED BY THE SHOULDER HARNESS PORTION OF THE THREE-POINT SEAT BELT SYSTEM. FURTHERMORE, THE SHOULDER HARNESS RETRACTORS MAY NOT ALLOW EXTRACTION OF THE SHOULDER BELT WEBBING DUE TO A PRE-LOCKED CONDITION. THIS IS A NON-COMPLIANCE TO THE EMERGENCY LOCKING RETRACTOR PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES".

Remedy

THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES IF NECESSARY, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1978 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT SEAT BELTS FAIL TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 78V108000 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR) BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD. THE VIN WAS INACCURATE AND THE ENGINE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · January 26, 2008

1978 Mercury Cougar — common questions

Is the 1978 Mercury Cougar reliable?

The record is thin — 2 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1978 Mercury Cougar have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1978 Mercury Cougar. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1978 Mercury Cougar under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mercury Cougar years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Cougar years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2002, 1992, 1997, 1989, 1990, 2001, 1991, 1996, 1988, 1987. The cleanest record among Cougar years belongs to 1981.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.