Faults:

Engine and Digital instrument cluster replaced at 14000km due to recalls/TSBs.

Pollution Tank Control Hose replaced due to recall at 8000km due to recall. Fuel pump is extremely loud since then.

Power seat tracks were replaced at 36000km because they stopped working.

Covered by warranty.

Replaced RF wheel bearing and front coil springs at 65000km due to clunk and grinding in front end during turns.

Other than regular maintenance (IE brakes, trans service and tires) nothing else has gone wrong with it.

General Comments:

It's not the fastest horse in the stable, but it holds it's own on the highway and handles like a dream.

The 4 wheel independent suspension really makes a difference on bumpy roads. The rear wheel drive is sometimes a burden in the snow, especially from stops. The interior is very functional and extremely comfortable for long trips

It's a great car, VERY reliable. I recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind driving a larger car with tons of style and luxury for a low price.

Faults:

I got the car used, and the doors sagged. I have not fixed it yet.

Yesterday the back left wheel almost fell

off because 3 of the studs snapped off the drum. I purchased new studs and lugs. So far so good.

The inside handles on both doors are broken, like most cougars.

The belt for the driver side window motor broke.

Rain water leaks into the trunk and to the upper upholstery from the windsheild.

I'm replacing the worn brake pads and rotors tomorrow.

General Comments:

The car has over 130000 miles on it and runs great for that amount.

Sometimes doing over 60 miles an hour on a highway, the car will vibrate more than it should.

It handles very nicely. I have not fish-tailed or lost control ever. The rear wheel drive also helps this to show off to your friends.

I don't like the feel of the seats, they are uncomfortable.

Faults:

The 89 Cougar LS has been a generally good car. When I purchased the car both of the doors were sagging slightly. As time went on they got progressively worse, and got to the point where they wouldn't shut without lifting up on the door. $293.00 to fix.

Chrome trim on the back drivers side window was tore up as a result of the badly sagging door. Still not fixed.

Ignition switch literally fell apart at 110k. $40.00 to fix.

Alternator went out at 130k. $388.00 to fix including warranty.

Digital Dash went out a 150k. $987 to fix.

Brakes were good up until the present. Took the car in for a routine inspection and found out that I need brake pads for all 4 tires, 2 new front rotors, and 1 rear drum. Estimated retail including tax, parts, labor and warranty: $675.00.

General Comments:

For the year and the miles, it still has some get up and go. Strong 3.8 Super-charged Engine.

Very comfortable and smooth ride on long trips. I have never ridden, or drove a more comfortable car.

Faults:

Entire car vibrates at 1200 rpm in neutral, drive (55mph) or overdrive (65mph) from the first day. The dealer claimed that all models on the lot vibrate at the same speed. The fix was to loosen the exhaust mounts. Now it just rattles at 1200 rpm.

Every heavy rain results in a puddle on the passenger floorboard. Ford TSB mentions that this is caused by mis-shimmed windshield.

Water pump went out at 50K.

Brake rotors warp and require replacement every 30K miles.

The driver door started to sag around 40K miles, resting 1-2 inches lower toward the open end. The top edge gouged into and sprung the steel/chrome decoration strip from the back passenger window. $300 required to fix the sagging hinge metal, $800 to replace the entire passenger window.

A/C compressor blew at 60K. Seals later became leaky, resulting in $900 overhaul of system when I moved to Phoenix.

Windshield sealant is a black tar-like substance which reflows and oozes down windshield in 120F heat.

Courtesy lights and power mirrors failed due to frayed wires under drivers seat. This occurred around 85K miles. Dealer never mentioned that there was a TSB about it. They also left half of the connectors loose and rattling in the dash after the repair.

Had the fuel vapor hose recall performed around 90K. The fuel pump was noticeably noisy after this fix. It failed in Oklahoma in transit to Phoenix two weeks later.

Both power window clutches failed due to deterioration of the three teflon clutch bushings (92K drivers side) (98K passenger side).

At 99K, a $2.40 teflon bushing which holds the transmission kick down cable to the throttle plate deteriorated and fell apart in traffic. The car was accelerating at full throttle with both feet on the brake pedal. I was able to stop without injury by popping the transmission into neutral and turning off the key. Over 100 such incidences noted by NHTSA customer complaints, but no warning from Ford/Mercury.

The car was rust-proofed by the dealer and held up relatively well except for the rocker panels, where a small hole in the inner wall holds a brake line retainer clip. Both rockers are completely rusted through.

The rubber seal around the back window shrank with age and exposure (around 50K). Replacement seal is over $100.

General Comments:

It is extremely comfortable for long-distance highway driving.

The 1989 model appears to be one of the few that do not have as many head gasket or transmission problems.

It has excellent acceleration and cornering ability.

Find a dealer who knows how to work on them and put them back together (undamaged) when they are done. If you find one, let the rest of us know where they are!