Newest first. Many cover only part of a model year, so check your VIN with Mercury before booking a repair.
Transport Canada · listed for this model year
A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD DEVELOP IN THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE OR UNATTENDED. CORRECTION: IGNITION SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REVISED DESIGN SWITCH.
1995212 · 834,368 units in campaign · Transport Canada
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorised dealer
Certain Cougar XR-7, Tunderbird turbo, and Merkur XR4TI vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of CMVSS 1103 - Exhaust Emissions. Correction: Dealers will replace the exhaust system catalyst and a vacuum delay valve will be installed in the EGC vacuum line.
1994162 · 1,693 units in campaign · Transport Canada
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorised dealer
NOTE: VEHICLES WITH 3.8 LITRE ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. THE SUBSTRATE MATERIAL IN THE CATALYSTS MAY RATTLE AND BREAK UP DURING NORMAL USE CAUSING EXHAUST EMISSIONS TO EXCEED THE STANDARD. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND CATALYST WILL BE REPLACED WHERE NECESSARY.
1992098 · 18,869 units in campaign · Transport Canada
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorised dealer
United States records (NHTSA) · 1
These are NHTSA campaigns for 1988 Mercury Cougar vehicles sold in the United States. They are not Canadian recalls: NHTSA's VIN lookup has no Canadian data, and a US campaign may have no Canadian counterpart, or one under a different number covering different vehicles. For a vehicle sold in Canada, go by the Transport Canada listing above and Mercury's Canadian VIN lookup.
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
96V071000 · 7,900,000 units in campaign · NHTSA
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorised dealer
1988 Mercury Cougar recall questions
Transport Canada lists 3 recalls for the 1988 Mercury Cougar model year. That counts campaigns naming this model year, not recalls on your vehicle: many cover only a VIN range or production window, and some only vehicles found on inspection. NHTSA lists 1 United States campaign for the US-market model, shown separately; a US campaign may have no Canadian equivalent.
Enter your VIN in Mercury's Canadian recall lookup, or call a Mercury dealer with your VIN. In Canada the manufacturer is responsible for showing recall and repair status for each VIN, so its lookup is the authoritative answer. Cardog uses your VIN only to find the model year; the recalls shown here are listed for that model year and are not matched to your VIN.
Not necessarily. NHTSA campaigns cover vehicles sold in the United States, and NHTSA's VIN lookup has no Canadian data. When a defect also affects Canadian vehicles, the manufacturer files a separate notice with Transport Canada, often under a different number and sometimes covering a different set of vehicles. For a Canadian vehicle, go by the Transport Canada listing and Mercury's Canadian lookup.
Safety recall repairs are normally done at no charge by an authorised Mercury dealer. The manufacturer's notice for each campaign sets out the remedy and any conditions, so confirm with the dealer when you book.
Once Mercury's lookup or a dealer confirms a recall applies, book the repair with an authorised Mercury dealer and bring your VIN. If the manufacturer's notice says not to drive the vehicle or to park it outside, follow that instruction. Parts can take time, so book early.
Follow the manufacturer's notice for that recall. Most allow normal driving until the repair; some tell owners to stop driving or to park outside until it is fixed. Cardog does not grade recalls by severity: the manufacturer's notice and your dealer are the source.
Manufacturers must notify owners they have on record. If you bought the vehicle used or have moved, update your details with Mercury Canada so notices reach you, and check the manufacturer's lookup from time to time.
Related recall checks
Compare recall listings with alternatives to the 1988 Mercury Cougar.