Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 22 complaints on file for the 1985 Mercury Cougar — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
22
NHTSA complaints
1
Recalls
1
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 13 | 59% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 3 | 14% | ▲ up |
| Tires & Wheels | 2 | 9% | ▼ down |
| Body & Structure | 1 | 5% | — flat |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 5% | ▼ down |
| Engine | 1 | 5% | ▼ down |
| Latches & Locks | 1 | 5% | new |
1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS MAY HAVE IMPROPERLY ANODIZED INTERNAL SURFACES CAUSING ACCELERATED WEAR OF A PISTON SEAL. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: ONE PORTION OF THE SPLIT BRAKE SYSTEM WOULD BECOME INEFFECTIVE RESULTING IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. DRIVER WOULD BE WARNED BY INCREASED PEDAL TRAVEL AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT.
Remedy
MASTER CYLINDERS BUILT ON JANUARY 9, 1985 WILL BE REPLACED.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“BASICALLY THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED, WHEN SWITCH WAS REMOVED BY OWNER THE SWITCH WAS CHARGED AND BURNED. ALSO SOME WIRING WAS BURNED. *AK”
“DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS VEHICLE WOULD SURGE & ACCELERATE; WOULD HAVE FOOT ON BRAKES AT TIME TO SLOW DOWN. AFTER DRIVING A WHILE WOULD PULL OFF ROAD & TURN VEHICLE OFF & THEN RESTART; NO SIGN OF SURGING/ACCELERATING; PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. TOOK TO DEALER & COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. *AK”
The record is thin — 22 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (13 complaints), speed control (3 complaints), tires & wheels (2 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1985 Mercury Cougar. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.
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.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.