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Mercury CougarYears to avoid, problems & recalls

Based on 1,892 NHTSA owner complaints across 35 model years, the Mercury Cougar years to avoid are 1999, and the strongest years are 1987, 1988, 1996 and 1997. The Cougar has 48 safety recalls on record.

Mercury Cougar
Years to avoid'99Use caution: 1993, 1994, 2000Best years'87 '88 '96 '97Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints1,892Top: Engine and engine coolingSafety recalls481967–2002 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Best & worst years

Mercury Cougar years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Cougar median. Tap a year for its full report.

'67'68'69'70'71'72'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2002Solid49/10095 complaints · 1 recall2001Solid52/10082 complaints · 1 recall2000Caution31/100211 complaints · 3 recalls1999Avoid19/100454 complaints · 7 recalls1998Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls1997Solid59/10076 complaints · 0 recalls1996Solid64/10062 complaints · 2 recalls1995Solid47/100109 complaints · 0 recalls1994Caution41/100137 complaints · 0 recalls1993Caution37/100195 complaints · 3 recalls1992Solid54/10092 complaints · 3 recalls1991Solid55/10073 complaints · 3 recalls1990Solid50/10086 complaints · 3 recalls1989Solid47/10081 complaints · 4 recalls1988Solid58/10055 complaints · 1 recall1987Best68/10033 complaints · 1 recall1986Not rated–/10013 complaints · 2 recalls1985Not rated–/10010 complaints · 1 recall1984Not rated–/10017 complaints · 1 recall1983Not rated–/1002 complaints · 2 recalls1982Not rated–/1002 complaints · 3 recalls1980Not rated–/1002 complaints · 1 recall1979Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls1978Not rated–/1002 complaints · 1 recall1977Not rated–/1000 complaints · 3 recalls1976Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1975Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls1974Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls1973Not rated–/1002 complaints · 0 recalls1972Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1971Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1970Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1969Not rated–/1000 complaints · 4 recalls1968Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1967Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls
Complaints by system

Most common Mercury Cougar problems

All model years combined: 1,892 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling39320
Electrical system29762
Service brakes, hydraulic23323
Fuel system, gasoline1929
Power train1705
Vehicle speed control15743
Visibility1273
Exterior lighting1225
Seat belts11020
21 other systems56292
48 recalls

Mercury Cougar recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

–Fuel system, gasoline04V-421 · 1999–2002 · Aug 30, 2004 · 88,600 vehicles–Electrical system01V-230 · 1999 · Jul 9, 2001 · 342,962 vehicles–12v/24v/48v battery: cables01V-031 · 1999–2000 · Feb 6, 2001 · 120,000 vehicles–Brake lights: switch01V-032 · 1999 · Feb 6, 2001 · 33,000 vehicles–Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components00V-075 · 1999–2000 · Mar 9, 2000 · 436,200 vehicles–Headlights: switch99V-275 · 1992–1993 · Oct 12, 1999 · 164,731 vehicles–Doors: latch99V-226 · 1999 · Aug 18, 1999 · 10,011 vehicles–Vehicle speed control99V-194 · 1999 · Jul 20, 1999 · 159,565 vehicles–Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings97V-159 · 1992–1993 · Sep 22, 1997 · 125,000 vehicles–Electrical system: ignition96V-071 · 1988–1993 · Apr 25, 1996 · 7,900,000 vehicles–Doors: latch96V-070 · 1996 · Apr 22, 1996 · 73,500 vehicles–Appliance: air conditioner96V-007 · 1996 · Jan 16, 1996 · 10,600 vehicles

Showing the 12 newest of 48 recalls. Each model-year page lists all recalls for that year.

19 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the Cougar

  1. BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESSEA01001 · 1995–1999 · closed Jul 31, 2001
    Led to recall 01I009000
  2. HEADLIGHT SWITCHEA99005 · 1992–1993 · closed Dec 14, 1999
    Led to recall 99V-275
  3. FUEL LINE JUMPERRQ97011 · 1992–1993 · closed Nov 16, 1998
    Led to recall 97V-159
  4. REAR FUEL LINE INTERFERENCEEA95030 · 1992 · closed Sep 30, 1997
    Led to recall 97V-159
  5. FAULTY SEAT BELT BUCKLESEA95021 · 1987–1988 · closed Sep 30, 1997
    No recall
  6. FAULTY SEATBELT BUCKLESPE95019 · 1987–1990 · closed Jul 31, 1995
    No recall
  7. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIREDP94005 · 1994 · closed Sep 22, 1994
    No recall
  8. THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHINGEA93033 · 1989–1991 · closed Dec 30, 1994
    No recall
  9. THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHINGPE93075 · 1989–1992 · closed Dec 30, 1993
    No recall
  10. HOOD LATCHES FAILEA90034 · 1989–1990 · closed Feb 25, 1992
    No recall