1979 Mercury Xr7 problems
The Mercury Cougar is a series of automobiles that was sold by Mercury from 1967 to 2002. The model line is a diverse series of vehicles; though the Cougar nameplate is most commonly associated with two-door coupes, at various stages in its production, the model also was offered as a convertible and a hatchback. During its production as the mid-size Mercury line, the Cougar was also offered as a four-door sedan and five-door station wagon.
In production for 34 years across eight generations (skipping the 1998 model year), the Cougar is second only to the Grand Marquis (36 years) in the Mercury line for production longevity. 2,972,784 examples were produced, making it the highest-selling Mercury vehicle. During the 1970s and 1980s, the marketing of the Mercury division was closely associated with the Cougar, with promotional materials advertising Mercury dealers as "The Sign of the Cat" with big cats atop Lincoln-Mercury dealer signs. Cat-related nameplates were adopted by other Mercury lines, including the Bobcat and Lynx.
During its production, the Cougar was assembled at the Dearborn Assembly Plant (part of the Ford River Rouge Complex) in Dearborn, Michigan from 1967 until 1973, San Jose Assembly (Milpitas, California) from 1968 into early 1969, Lorain Assembly (Lorain, Ohio) from 1974 until 1997, and at Flat Rock Assembly (Flat Rock, Michigan) from 1999 through 2002.
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Common 1979 Mercury Xr7 problems
The Mercury Cougar XR7, produced from 1977 to 1979, was a popular car in its time, with many still on the road today. However, as with any vehicle, there are some common problems that owners have reported over the years.
One issue that seems to be fairly prevalent is the serpentine belt breaking on the 351 engine. This can be a significant problem, as the serpentine belt is responsible for driving various accessories, such as the alternator and power steering pump. Without it, the car may not be drivable, and repairs can be costly.
Another issue that has been reported by owners is the polycast wheel center caps falling off. This can be a frustrating problem, as the center caps are a prominent feature of the car's appearance. Some owners have reported success in solving this problem by gluing the center caps in place with a strong adhesive.
The 1979 Mercury Cougar XR7 had a base engine of 302 cubic inches (5.0 liters) with 140 horsepower, but many owners opted for the more powerful 5.8-liter, 151-horse 351M V8.
The padded landau roof of the Cougar XR7 is another area where problems have been reported.
Finally, the car's electrical system has been reported as problematic by some owners.
In summary, while the Mercury Cougar XR7 is a popular and iconic car, it is not without its problems. Owners have reported issues with the serpentine belt, polycast wheel center caps, engine performance, padded landau roof, and electrical system. However, with proper maintenance and care, many of these issues can be avoided or mitigated.
How much horsepower does a 1979 Mercury Cougar XR7 have?
The '79 Cougar XR-7 had a 140-horsepower 302-cubic-inch (5.0-liter) V8 as the base engine, but the original purchaser of this car wanted a little bit more power to move 3,887 pounds of somewhat obese cat and paid extra for the optional 5.8-liter, 151-horse 351M V8.
What does XR7 stand for on Mercury Cougar?
It's been suggested that "XR-7" is a cipher for "experimental racing," and there was, in fact, a team of Cougars prepared by NASCAR specialist Bud Moore for drivers Dan Gurney and Parnelli Jones to compete in the 1967 Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Trans-Am road-racing championship.
How many Mercury Cougar XR7 were made?
1970 Model Year
| MODEL OR OPTION | # PRODUCED |
|---|---|
| XR-7 | 18,567 |
| XR-7 CONVERTIBLE | 1,997 |
| ELIMINATOR | 2,267 |
| BOSS 302 | 469 |
What was the first year of the Cougar XR7?
1967
The Cougar XR7-G started life as the high-option XR-7 as produced in the Dearborn Assembly Plant in late 1967 through early 1968. The idea behind this model was to provide a "status" car similar to the Shelby Mustangs being sold and raced by Ford and to bring enthusiast traffic into the Mercury showrooms.
How much horsepower does a 1979 Mercury Cougar XR7 have?
The '79 Cougar XR-7 had a 140-horsepower 302-cubic-inch (5.0-liter) V8 as the base engine, but the original purchaser of this car wanted a little bit more power to move 3,887 pounds of somewhat obese cat and paid extra for the optional 5.8-liter, 151-horse 351M V8.
What does XR7 mean on a Mercury Cougar?
It's been suggested that "XR-7" is a cipher for "experimental racing," and there was, in fact, a team of Cougars prepared by NASCAR specialist Bud Moore for drivers Dan Gurney and Parnelli Jones to compete in the 1967 Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Trans-Am road-racing championship.
How many Mercury Cougar XR7 were made?
1970 Model Year
| MODEL OR OPTION | # PRODUCED |
|---|---|
| XR-7 | 18,567 |
| XR-7 CONVERTIBLE | 1,997 |
| ELIMINATOR | 2,267 |
| BOSS 302 | 469 |
What was the first year of the Cougar XR7?
1967
The Cougar XR7-G started life as the high-option XR-7 as produced in the Dearborn Assembly Plant in late 1967 through early 1968. The idea behind this model was to provide a "status" car similar to the Shelby Mustangs being sold and raced by Ford and to bring enthusiast traffic into the Mercury showrooms.
1979 Mercury Xr7 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Mercury Xr7 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Wheels problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1979 Mercury Xr7 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1979 Mercury Xr7 complaints
The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1979 Mercury Xr7.
WHEELS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1MELM62W2VH
- Components: WHEELS
- Summary: WHILE PULLING OUT BACK WHEELS SPIN.
1979 Mercury Xr7 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 1979 Mercury Xr7.
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
- Summary: THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH BRAKE PUSH-ROD TO BRAKE PEDAL RETAINING PINS WHICH WERE NOT HEAT-TREATED AS SPECIFIED. THIS COULD ALLOW THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BECOME DISENGAGED FROM THE PUSH-ROD.
- Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT BRAKE RETAINING PIN.
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Components: SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
- Summary: THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INCORRECT WELD NUTS THAT ATTACH THE REAR PORTION OF THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT TRACK TO THE FLOOR PAN. THE INCORRECT NUTS HAVE AN OVERSIZE DIAMETER AND THREAD, AND UPON FRONT SEAT TRACK ANCHOR BOLT INSTALLATION, THE THREADS MAY HAVE BEEN STRIPPED.
- Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPAIR ANY STRIPPED WELD NUTS AND INSTALL LARGER SIZE BOLTS TO ANCHOR THE SEAT TRACK TO THE FLOOR AT NO COST TO OWNER.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1979 Mercury Xr7 problems:
1979 Cougar won't start and other problems... | Mercury Cougar ...
Oct 23, 2004 ... I have a 1979 Cougar XR7 with a 351 V8 - not really sure which engine it is but I think it is a Windsor?? A week ago I was driving my Coug ...
Q&A: 1979 Mercury Cougar XR7 - Get Expert Answers on Ford's ...
Mar 23, 2014 ... Have a 1979 mercury cougar xr7 with a 351w 2 barrel eng. was starting fine then when I turned to start today only a loud - Answered by a ...
Car Lot Classic: 1980 Mercury Cougar XR-7 - That Very Common ...
Nov 14, 2018 ... Car Lot Classic: 1980 Mercury Cougar XR-7 ... No problem! Speaking of honest cars again, I ... 1979 but was quickly bastardized (in true ...
Q&A: 1979 Mercury Cougar XR7 - Green Wire Alternator Issue
Aug 23, 2008 ... I have 1979 Mercury Cougar XR7, 302 engine. Have upgraded to Mallory HyFire ignition. I have a wire from alternator with - Answered by a ...
78 or 79 F/Z factory V8 w/std Trans
Oct 23, 2018 ... I'm having a problem ... Of course, we know in '80, the Fairmont offered the Turbo, but the Zephyr did not. Brad '79 Mercury Zephyr ES 5.0L GT40 ...
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