Does the 1978 Mercury Cougar have any recalls?

2 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: fuel system, gasoline, seat belts. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.

How do I check if my 1978 Mercury Cougar recall has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Mercury dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 1978 Mercury Cougar?

2 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.

1978 Mercury Cougar recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

2 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 1978 Mercury Cougar. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

Has your Mercury been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

Check your VIN with NHTSA

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Mercury dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.

1978 Mercury Cougar recalls, newest first

March 6, 2008NHTSA 08E0190001,937 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump

Aftermarket equipment: applies only if this part was installed

Summary: Intercontinental auto parts is recalling 1,937 fuel filters, p/nos alg 44/1 and purolator F10024, shipped between January 14 and February 13, 2008, sold for use on the vehicles listed above. The filter's outlet cap may not be securely crimped to the housing. This could result in a separation of filter's outlet cap from the housing.
Consequence: If this condition occurs while attempting to start the vehicle, a no start condition may result and fuel may be pumped onto the ground. If this occurs while the vehicle is in motion, the engine may stop due to inadequate fuel supply. If an ignition source were present, fuel leakage may result in a fire.
Remedy: Intercontinental will replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began during March 2008. Owners may contact intercontinental at 800-451-2593.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

May 15, 1978NHTSA 78V108000110,000 vehicles potentially affected

Seat belts › Front › Retractor

Summary: The involved vehicles are equipped with shoulder harness retractors that may not lock. Should the vehicle experience a sudden deceleration or impact, the front seat occupant may not be restrained by the shoulder harness portion of the three-point seat belt system. Furthermore, the shoulder harness retractors may not allow extraction of the shoulder belt webbing due to a pre-locked condition. This is a non-compliance to the emergency locking retractor performance requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, "seat belt assemblies".
Remedy: The dealer will replace the seat belt assemblies if necessary, without charge to owner.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 1978 Mercury Cougar with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public; NHTSA uses them to decide what to investigate.

Crashes reported: 1
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 1
Deaths reported: 0

Most complained-about components

Seat belts › Front › Retractor1
Seat belts › Front › Webbing1

Other 1978 Mercury models

Questions

Does the 1978 Mercury Cougar have any recalls?: 2 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: fuel system, gasoline, seat belts. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 1978 Mercury Cougar recall has been fixed?: Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Mercury dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 1978 Mercury Cougar?: 2 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.