1986 Mercury Cougar

$19,995
from
2
listings
$20K–$70K
price range
Download Infographic
Low$19,995
High$69,980
From$19,995
Avg Mileage50,000 mi
Fresh

Sourced from 2 active dealer listings as of

1986 Mercury Cougar Trims

All Trims Combined
From$19,995
$20K–$70K
2 listings50,000 avg miles
XR7
From$4,649
8 listings|$5K–$12K

1986 Mercury Cougar Pricing

Price Trend

0%
$19K$27K$36K$44K$52KMar 26Mar 26Mar 26$19,995
3 data pointsAs of Mar 26

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Mercury Cougar Safety & Reliability

Elevated

The 1986 Mercury Cougar has a elevated safety risk profile with 1 recall campaigns and 18 NHTSA complaints. Before buying, verify that all recalls have been completed. It's free at any dealer.

1
Recalls
18
Complaints
0
Crashes
2
Fires
Recall Findings
86V0650001986-21-05
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

HEADLAMP COVERS WERE INSTALLED ON VEHICLES IN ERROR. CAUSING THE CARS NOT TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE HEADLAMP COVERS MAY HINDER THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE CAR IN DARKNESS AND OTHER CONDITIONS OF REDUCED VISIBILITY.

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Top Complaint Areas

Across 1 model years, 18 owners have filed complaints about the 1986 Mercury Cougar. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM issues top the list, so ask the seller about this area specifically during your inspection.

01Electrical System5
02Fuel System, Gasoline4
03Seat Belts3
04Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
05Engine And Engine Cooling,vehicle Speed Control1
18 total across 1 model years (1986–1986)Full data at NHTSA.gov

Mercury Cougar Fuel Economy

18–20mpg combined
·
16-18city
·
20-24hwy
·
$2,200-$2,450/yr

Across 5 configurations, the 1986 Mercury Cougar returns 18–20 MPG combined. Choose the thriftier option if you're commuting; the sportier setup if you're not counting gallons.

By Trim
Cougar - Manual 5-spd
20mpg
2.3L 4-cyl Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
18 city24 hwy~$2,200/yr-1/10 Poor
Cougar - Automatic 4-spd
19mpg
3.8L 6-cyl · Rear-Wheel Drive
17 city24 hwy~$2,300/yr-1/10 Poor
Cougar - Automatic 4-spd
19mpg
5.0L 8-cyl · Rear-Wheel Drive
16 city24 hwy~$2,300/yr-1/10 Poor
Cougar - Automatic 3-spd
18mpg
2.3L 4-cyl Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
16 city20 hwy~$2,450/yr-1/10 Poor
Cougar - Automatic 3-spd
18mpg
3.8L 6-cyl · Rear-Wheel Drive
17 city21 hwy~$2,450/yr-1/10 Poor

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Where to Find 1986 Mercury Cougar

7States

22% of the market sits in Minnesota, though listings span 7 states. Expand your search and you'll find more options at better prices.

Geographic distribution reflects all active listings for this model, not just 1986.

Buying a 1986 Mercury Cougar?

Answers to common buyer questions

Is the 1986 Mercury Cougar a good car to buy?

The 1986 Mercury Cougar has 1 recall on record. There is 1 recall on record, so check that they've been completed before buying. The most commonly reported issue area is electrical system, which is worth inspecting during a test drive. Review the safety data and pricing breakdown above.

Are there recalls on the 1986 Mercury Cougar?

There are 1 documented recall for the 1986 Mercury Cougar. Don't let that scare you; most are routine. Just make sure they're all resolved before you sign. Details in the safety overview.

What's the gas mileage of the 1986 Mercury Cougar?

Fuel economy ranges from 18 to 20 MPG combined. If you drive 15,000 miles a year, that gap is worth about $292 annually. See the fuel economy section for per-trim data.

What are common problems with the 1986 Mercury Cougar?

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the number-one complaint area for the 1986 Mercury Cougar, based on 18 NHTSA filings. During a test drive, pay extra attention to this system. See the known issues section for the full breakdown.

How does the 1986 compare to other Mercury Cougar years?

Pricing, reliability, and supply vary across Mercury Cougar model years. Visit the Mercury Cougar buyer's guide to compare year-over-year.

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