Issue ID | 219770 |
Internal NHTSA # | 722078 |
Manufacurer | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
Brand | MERCURY |
Model | COUGAR |
Model Year | 1991 |
File date | 18/08/99 |
Component | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE |
Product type code | VEHICLE |
Description of the problem | The head gasket went bad even after routine regular maintenance and only 80,000 miles on the vehicle. According to a local dealership and several mechanics this is extremely common. I was fortunate because the heads and block were not cracked unlike the majority of the ones that are serviced. It seems that if the 3. 8 liter has this problem then maybe there is a design flaw or quality problem with the gasket. The other problem is when having this fixed, the steering pump front gasket usually breaks when the belt is removed, this should not happen. If i had known about this design flaw in this engine i would have never purchased this or any ford vehicles with a 3. 8 liter engine. Also why don't the seat belts lock? *ak |
Vehicle Mileage at Failure | |
Number of Occurences | 1 |
Source of the issue | NHTSA WEB SITE |
City and State | COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA |
VIN pattern | 1MEPM6049MHXXXXXX |
Was vehicle invloved in a crash? | |
Was vehicle involved in a fire? | N |
Was incedent reported to police? | N |
Was medical attention required? | |
Was part original equipment? | |
No. of injured persons | |
No. of fatalities | |
Date of purchase | 01/05/95 |
Was original owner? | N |
Anti-lock brakes | N |
Cruise control | Y |
Number of cylinders | |
Drive train type | RWD |
Transmission type | |
Vehicle speed | 20 |
DoT tire identifier | |
Tire size | |
Location of tire code | |
Type of tire failure code | |
Was defective tire repaired? | |
Date of manufacture | |
Type of child seat code | |
Type of restraint | |
Dealer's name | |
Dealer's telephone number | |
Dealer's city | |
Dealer's state code | |
Dealer's ZIP code |