Vehicle recall 90V026000 · February 12, 1990
Mercury Cougar and Ford Thunderbird
Battery to starter cables are longer than specified; excessive cable length could contact engine damper pulley.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- Battery to starter cables are longer than specified; excessive cable length could contact engine damper pulley.
- Consequence
- Cable protective covering and insulation could wear through and cause a direct short to ground, resulting in overheating of the cable insulation and possibly a underhood fire.
- Remedy
- Replace battery to starter cable with correct length cable.
- Notes
- System: battery to starter cable.vehicle description: passenger cars equipped with 3.8 liter engines.
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 90V026000
- Reported to NHTSA
- February 12, 1990
- Filed by
- FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Owner notification
- March 9, 1990
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 72
- Initiated by
- the manufacturer
- Components
- Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery › Cables
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
- Ford Thunderbird (1990): 1990
- Mercury Cougar (1990): 1990
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