Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1983 Cougar.
The 1983 Mercury Cougar is documented with a 4.0‑quart oil capacity and offers oil viscosities of 5W‑30, 10W‑30 or 10W‑40. Owner complaint records show just two total complaints, most often tied to the electrical system, and the model experienced three recall actions. While later Cougar years from 1990 to 2002 logged a peak of 521 complaints in 1999 and a single complaint in 1998, the 1983 model falls outside that period, suggesting its early reliability issues were comparatively modest.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 197.6 in |
| Overall width | 71.3 in |
| Overall height | 53.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 103.9 in |
| Curb weight | 3097 lb |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4.0 qt of 5W-30 / 10W-30 / 10W-40 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | 5W-30 · 10W-30 · 10W-40 · 15W-40 · 20W-40 · 20W-50 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4.0 qt |
| Engine Oil | 5W-30 · 10W-30 · 10W-40 · 15W-40 · 20W-40 · 20W-50 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4.0 qt |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 1983 Mercury Cougar sits at the tail end of a decade that, according to the federal record, saw complaints rise sharply from 90 in 1990 to a peak of 521 in 1999, while recalls remained relatively low (3 to 9). The 1983 model predates this data set, but its position in the generation suggests it would have experienced fewer complaints than the later years that saw a steep climb. In 1983, the top complaint categories were Electrical System and Structure, each with one report, and there were no recorded crash or fire complaints. With only two small complaint areas and no safety‑related issues, the 1983 Cougar appears to have been a comparatively reliable year within its cohort. Therefore, a 1983 Mercury Cougar could be a good purchase if the vehicle’s condition matches the limited complaint record, but prospective buyers should still verify that the electrical and structural components are in good shape.
All 2 complaints on record, top 2 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE… Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.
THE PARKING GEAR MAY NOT ENGAGE, EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION. THIS OCCURS IF THE LINKAGE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION THAT ACTUATES THE PARK GEAR WAS IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. A PIN THAT… Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARKING PAWL ACTUATING ROD ASSEMBLY.
Showing 5 of 6 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01157 | 2001-08-06 | Unknown Or Other | INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC |
| 9888 | 1998-04-27 | Power Train | INFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC |
| 97511 | 1997-03-03 | Power Train | FLUID- TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *JD |
| BC8899950401 | 1995-04-01 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | UNKNOWN |
| 9562 | 1995-03-01 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | ROUGHNESS CONCERN DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. *TW |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
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Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
4.0 qt of 30W. MULTI-VISCOSITY: BELOW 100 degrees F 5W-30. ABOVE 0 degrees F 10W-30 OR 10W-40. ABOVE 10 degrees F 15W-40. ABOVE 20 degrees F 20W-40 OR 20W-50, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.