Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Mercury Cougar owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Non-ABS brakes; front brake rotors have been changed three times due to unknown vibration w/steering wheel shaking. On two occasions, brake pedal went to the floor, resulting in a rear end collision. Please describe details.
While shifting from drive to park, vehicle was being put into park, accelerated and hit a building, shifted to reverse, vehicle lurched backwards,brakes applied, vehicle would not stop, no warning.
First problems of breaking system started at 40,000 miles bought car at 23,000 miles. The car shimmies and stering wheel vibrates when breaking. Have turned rotor twice and replaced brake pads twice. My car is at 50,000 miles now and have replaced with new rotors and new pads for the third time within 10,000 miles because the shimming if getting more violent and will cause me to have an accident I am for sure because this puts stress on all other components of the powertrain. The dealership has told me it is from over torching or riding the brakes. However I have had three previous cars with no problem with brakes and no one has driven these vehicles but me. I do not have industrial wrench so overtorching is not the problem. In conclusion someone is going to die from this malfunction. …
Car vibrated during stopping almost immediately after purchase. I took the car back and told them the brakes were vibrating, but they said they turned the disks,but it did not help. Later I returned it to the dealer again and they ordered a steering computer, still did not fix problem. They then replace the steering cylinder. No help. I finially took the brakes disks off myself and had to pay to have them turned and which has fixed the problem for now. After reviewing the complaints of other drivers of this model, it is obvious that they know there is a problem, but no recall has every come to fix a very bad handling problem with the 1995 Mercury Cougar. I feel the government should require the Ford motor company to recall and fix this problem.
Rotors have failed in less than 18000 miles have called Ford cusstomer service the lady called the dealer that made the repair who told her it was normal .she then called me back with that information . I told the lady this is not normal she then told me it was and she changed her brakes every six months at that I gave up this May be the reason fordmotor put women on that job
The rotors on the front brakes were defective from the manufacturer (original parts). They had been refaced several times without avail, before they were replaced. The master cylinder for the brake system has been replaced due to failure. The power steering pump and rack and pinion has been replaced and needs to be replaced again within one years time.
The brakes are having to be completly replaced (pads and rotors). If not vehicle is unsafe for operation. Currently brakes are lasting about 2,500 miles. Torque converter is having to be replaced every 15,000 miles. Perhaps from having to do more work in stopping the car.
When front brakes are in use, brake pedal pulsates & vibrates. Steering wheel shakes/vibrates in hand. If brakes are applied quickly, vehicle could go off road. Took to dealer & informed was normal. Had rotors changed 4 different times. Problem also occurred on 28 jun 98.
While driving at any given speed and coming to a stop the vehicle started shimmering while putting on the brakes. Consumer contacted the dealer, and has had the brake rotors repaired 4 times. Consumer stated that the vehicle has started the same problem again.
Brakes squeal and grind because the rotors are warped. Steering wheel shimmies while driving approx. 55-65mph on highway every 20,000 miles. Vehicle needs new rotors and pads due to front disc brakes being poorly designed.
Brake complaints in other Cougar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1995 Mercury Cougar?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the brakes of the 1995 Mercury Cougar, 37% of the model year's 109 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Mercury Cougar brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1995 Mercury Cougar. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.