1985 Mercury Cougar
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1985 Mercury Cougar is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.
1985 Mercury Cougar at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1985 Mercury Cougar recalls 1
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.
Fix: MASTER CYLINDERS BUILT ON JANUARY 9, 1985 WILL BE REPLACED.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1985 Mercury Cougar common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1985 Mercury Cougar MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 6 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1985 Mercury Cougar costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1985 Mercury Cougar — ranges cover the 3 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 2
ENGINE SURGE Closed
THE MANUFACTURER WAS INITIALLY CONTACTED UNDER DP87-003, SUDDEN ACCELER-ATION OF 1983-86 FORD, MERCURY, AND LINCOLN CARS EQUIPPED WITH 3.8 AND 5.0LITER ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. ALL INFORMATION SUBMITTED BYTHE MANUFACTURER DEALING WITH SURGING HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO THE SUBJECTINVESTIGATIVE FILE.STATUS: ANALYSIS IS CONTINUING TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS AN IDENTIFIABLEDEFECT TREND INVOLVING THE ENTIRE POPULA…
NHTSA #EA87021 · opened Jun 1987 · closed Mar 1989SEATBACK FAILURE Closed
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER: FORD BELIEVES THAT THE AL-LEGED DEFECT ONLY OCCURS IN A SMALL NUMBER OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ANDRECALLED ABOUT 195,732 1984 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES IN JUNE 1986.ANALYSIS: VEHICLES POTENTIALLY INVOLVED INCLUDE TEMPO/TOPAZ, ESCORT/LYNX/EXP, MUSTANG/CAPRI, LTD/MARQUIS, AND THUNDERBIRD/COUGAR.FORD SOLD ABOUT 110,000 REPLACEMENT MIO BOLTS, MAINLY FOR 1983 AND 1984MODELS. LOW CLAMPING…
NHTSA #EA86010 · Seats · opened Mar 1986 · closed Jul 1989An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 17
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 17.
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC
Bulletin 01156 · Visibility · Aug 2001INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC
Bulletin 01157 · Aug 2001INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS
Bulletin 0015 · Power Train · Jan 2000SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT
Bulletin 99222 · Electrical System · Oct 1999INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT
Bulletin 99196 · Equipment · Sep 1999INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT
Bulletin 99152 · Power Train · Jul 1999A NEW SILICONE GASKET AND SEALANT. *YC
Bulletin 9874 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 1998INFORMATION ON TIRE COMPANY TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. *YC
Bulletin 9852 · Tires · Apr 1998THE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE. *YC
Bulletin 985A13 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Mar 1998FLUID- TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *JD
Bulletin 97511 · Power Train · Mar 1997Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the COUGAR. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 1
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1985 Mercury Cougar. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Not Entered
VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS THAT HAVE IMPROPERLY ANODIZED INTERNAL SURFACES. THIS COULD CAUSE ACCELERATED WEAR OF A MASTER CYLINDER PISTON SEAL TO THE EXTENT THAT ONE PORTION OF THE SPLIT BRAKE SYSTEM BECOMES INEFFECTIVE. THIS WOULD INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Transport Canada #1985029 · Mar 1985Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Mercury Cougar
The Mercury Cougar is a series of automobiles that was sold by Mercury from 1967 to 2002. The model line is a diverse series of vehicles; though the Cougar nameplate is most commonly associated with two-door coupes, at various stages in its production, the model also was offered as a convertible and a hatchback. During its production as the mid-size Mercury line, the Cougar was also offered as a four-door sedan and five-door station wagon.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.