1989 Mercury Cougar
Common problems & what to know before you buy
Before you message the seller, know the documented failure patterns, repair cost exposure, and risk level for the 1989 Mercury Cougar.
Recalls on the 1989 Mercury Cougar
Service brakes: caliper
DUE TO CONTACT BETWEEN THE BRAKE CALIPER OF THE INBOARD FRONT WHEEL AND THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR, THERE MAY BE INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL…
Suspension: springs
IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED REAR SUSPENSION KNUCKLES COULD EXPERIENCE HIGH MILEAGE FATIGUE CRACKS AND EVENTUAL FRACTURE.
Electrical system: ignition
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
1 more in the guide, with whether each one was done on the car you're looking at.
Source: NHTSA
What 99 owners reported
Source: NHTSA
1989 Mercury Cougar at a glance
- Engine
- 3.8L 6-Cylinder
- Transmission
- Automatic 4-spd, Manual 5-spd
- Drivetrain
- RWD
- Fuel
- Gasoline
- Body style
- Coupe
Other Mercury Cougar years
Free Car Finder
Still deciding on the 1989 Mercury Cougar?
Answer a few quick questions and see your top 3 used cars, with the years to shop.
Frequently asked questions
What are the common problems with the 1989 Mercury Cougar?
Owners have filed 99 complaints about the 1989 Mercury Cougar with NHTSA, most often about the vehicle speed control. There are 4 recall campaigns covering this model year. Squeezed's free research-backed buyer guide cross-references these against documented failure patterns and mileage-stage risks, sorted by severity, in about a minute.
Is the 1989 Mercury Cougar reliable?
Reliability depends heavily on the specific configuration and how the car was maintained. Start with the 4 open recall campaigns on this model year and confirm the work was completed. Generate a Squeezed buyer guide for this exact vehicle to see a reliability snapshot, repair-cost exposure, and the questions to ask the seller before you buy.
Should I still get a pre-purchase inspection on a 1989 Mercury Cougar?
Always. A Squeezed buyer guide is the triage step before the inspection: it shows you the documented failure patterns and what to check so you can decide which 1989 Mercury Cougar listings are even worth a mechanic's time, then walk into the PPI knowing exactly what to look for.
Squeezed is a buyer guide based on public data and industry patterns, not a mechanical inspection. Always get a professional pre-purchase inspection before you buy.