1983 Mercury Cougar LS
Unverified
All photo credits
- Photo: 1986 Mercury Cougar LS in Smoke Clearcoat Metallic, Front Left, 05-29-2022 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1986 Mercury Cougar pre-facelift by Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Starr 061021-1293 Casuarina equisetifolia by Forest & Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1988 Mercury Cougar by Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1986 Mercury Cougar LS in Smoke Clearcoat Metallic, Rear Left, 05-29-2022 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 1983 Mercury Cougar LS is a 3.8-liter V8 with a 3-speed automatic; 4-speed overdrive automatic and rear-wheel drive.
The Cougar measures 197.6 inches long on a 104.0-inch wheelbase.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Coupe |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 3.8 L Essex V6, 120 hp (standard); 4.9 L Windsor V8, 130 hp (optional, returns for 1983) |
| Displacement | 3.8 L |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | RWD |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 3-speed automatic (standard w/ V6); 4-speed overdrive automatic (optional w/ V6, only transmission offered w/ V8) |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 197.6 in |
| Width | 71.1 in |
| Height | 53.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 104 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 1983 Mercury Cougar LS with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.
Recalls
3 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1983 Mercury COUGAR. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Aug 27, 2007 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.
Consequence: A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.
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.
NHTSA campaign 07E064000
Mar 7, 1983 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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 RETAINS COMPONENTS ON A LINKAGE (ACTUATING) ROD COULD BREAK AND THE LINKAGE MAY NOT ENGAGE THE PARKING GEAR.
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARKING PAWL ACTUATING ROD ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA campaign 83V028000
Feb 8, 1983 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH FUEL TANKS THAT HAVE INADEQUATELY WELDED FRONT SEAMS THAT CAN LEAK.
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE WAS CORRECTED AT THE FACTORY; IF NOT, THE FUEL TANK WILL BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER.
NHTSA campaign 83V012000
2 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1983 Mercury COUGAR
Owner Complaints
2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1983 Mercury COUGAR. See all on nhtsa.gov
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Structure | 1 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1983 MERCURY COUGAR. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.