VehicleVerdict

1982 Mercury Cougar problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 2 complaints on file for the 1982 Mercury Cougar — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

2

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1982 compare to other Cougar years?

Cougar NHTSA complaints by model year, 1982 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, 1982 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cougar years to avoid →

What are the most common 1982 Mercury Cougar problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System150%
Seats150%

Does the 1982 Mercury Cougar have recalls?

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

07E064000Fuel SystemAugust 27, 2007 · 34,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.

Consequence

A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.

83V050000Fuel SystemMay 4, 1983 · 170 units

Defect

SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH IMPROPERLY WELDED FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAPS. UNDER CERTAIN COLLISION CONDITIONS, THESE STRAPS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THE FUEL TANK AND LEAKS COULD DEVELOP.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK RETAINING STRAPS FOR TYPE OF WELDS AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.

82V031000Fuel SystemApril 6, 1982 · 116 units

Defect

SOME OF THE SUSPECT VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED PROPANE FUEL SYSTEM FITTINGS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT; FUEL LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT, REPLACE, AND SEAL CERTAIN FUEL SYSTEM CONNECTIONS AT NO COST TO OWNER.

81V151000OtherDecember 23, 1981 · 3,010 units

Defect

INCORRECT INFORMATION ON TIRE PLACARDS CONSTITUTES A FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS". THE INFORMATION CONCERNING TIRE SIZES AND INFLATION PRESSURES IS APPLICABLE TO BOTH TWO AND FOUR DOOR SEDANS. THE STATEMENT COVERS FOUR DOOR BUT FAILS TO SPECIFY TWO DOOR SEDANS.

Remedy

REVISED PLACARDS WILL BE INSTALLED BY OWNERS, OR BY DEALERS WITHOUT CHARGE.

1982 Mercury Cougar — common questions

Is the 1982 Mercury Cougar reliable?

The record is thin — 2 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1982 Mercury Cougar have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1982 Mercury Cougar. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1982 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.