Owners have filed 236 complaints
about the 1993 Mercury Cougar with NHTSA between 1995 and 2017.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 7 of 9 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 53
Against the median year of the Mercury Cougar. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 33
6.4% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 9
6% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Engine
8859.1%
Gasoline
1812.1%
Headlights
128.1%
Rotor
117.4%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings
53.4%
Cooling System
53.4%
Switch
53.4%
Disc
53.4%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
15.6%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
15.6%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
316.7%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
950.0%
150,000+ miles
422.2%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 1995peak 14Oct 2017
NHTSA investigations into the 1993 Mercury Cougar
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA99005Opened 20 Jan 1999Closed 14 Dec 1999EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHT SWITCH
SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE A HEADLIGHT SWITCH WITH AN INTERNAL, BIMETAL CIRCUIT BREAKER THAT CAN OPEN DUE TO OVERHEATING DURING HEADLING OPERATION.
RQ97011Opened 25 Sep 1997Closed 16 Nov 1998FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FUEL LINE JUMPER
TO DETERMINE THE SCOPE OF THE ALLEGED FUEL LINE FAILURES OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL GEOGRAPHIC REGION AND IF THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED NATIONALLY
Recalls on the 1993 Mercury Cougar
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
99V275000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FOG LIGHTS, IN WHICH THE HEADLIGHTS MAY GO OUT FOR VARIOUS INTERVALS AND WHICH MAY BE PRECEDED BY FLICKERING OR BLINKING AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING.
Risk: DRIVER'S COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
97V159000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WEST VIRGINIA. MOVEMENT OF THE FUEL LINES CAUSES THE NYLON FUEL LINE JUMPER TO CHAFE AGAINST THE FLOOR PAN. THIS WEAR CAN CAUSE A PIN HOLE IN THE FUEL LINE RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE.
Risk: THIS FUEL LEAKAGE RESULTS IN DAMPNESS AND FUEL ODOR, AND IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD RESULT.
96V071000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 19991934,154 units in Canada
Electrical
On certain vehicles, the high electrical current flowing through the headlamp switch during simultaneous operation of the headlamps and fog lamps may cause the switches internal bimetal circuit breaker to open due to overheating. Should this occur, the vehicle's headlights may go out for brief intervals (flickering or blinking). Extended cycling of the circuit breaker due to continued overheating can result in longer duration outages. Correction: Dealers will install a headlamp switch which incorporates a circuit breaker of revised design, and a wiring harness connector, if needed.
Recall 19971939,271 units in Canada
Fuel System
MOVEMENT OF FUEL LINES, RESULTING FROM NORMAL VEHICLE BODY VIBRATIONS. CAUSES THE NYLON FUEL LINES TO WEAR BY RUBBING AGAINST THE METAL FLOOR PAN. THIS COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE WHICH, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. CORRECTION: FUEL LINES WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED AS NECESSARY. ALSO, A PLASTIC CONVOLUTE COVERING WILL BE INSTALLED AROUND THE FUEL LINES WHICH WILL PREVENT WEAR THROUGH.
Recall 1995212834,368 units in Canada
Electrical
A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD DEVELOP IN THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE OR UNATTENDED. CORRECTION: IGNITION SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REVISED DESIGN SWITCH.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 4,000 milesKilleen, TXFire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS AND THE HEADLIGHTS DIMMED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND THEY MADE THE REPAIR. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V275000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 189,000.
NHTSA complaint #10203174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tulsa, OKCrash
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
HEADLIGHTS STARTED FLASHING, AND BLINKING, AFTER A FEW MILES OF DRIVING. WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A COUNTRY ROAD, THIS FLASHING ATTRACTED A DEER ONTO THE ROAD, WHICH CAUSED SOME BODY DAMAGE TO MY CAR. THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. MY CAR DOES NOT HAVE FOGLIGHTS, SO IT DID NOT QUALIFY FOR RECALL 99V275000, BUT WAS ACTING JUST THE SAME. THE REPAIR SHOP CHANGED THE HEADLAMP SWITCH, AND THE FLASHING ENDED. I WAS TOLD THE HEADLAMP SWITCH HAD A SHORT IN IT.
NHTSA complaint #737100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE PARKED, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE ENGINE, CAUSED ENGINE TO CATCH ON FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #821443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mount Juliet, TNCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TIRE CAME OFF VEHICLE, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT/INJURY WITH NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AIR BAG.
NHTSA complaint #507491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mount Juliet, TNCrash1 injured
TIRES
TIRE CAME OFF VEHICLE, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT/INJURY WITH NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AIR BAG.
NHTSA complaint #507491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TXCrash
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
WHILE DRIVING 25 TO 30 MPH, REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE, SHOULDER/LAP BELT DID NOT LOCK UP, DRIVER SLID UNDER SEAT, FORTUNATELY NOT INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #801179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 38,500 milesWestpoint, MS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEAD LIGHT SWITCH HARD TO APPLY HEAD LIGHT FLICKER ON AND OFF.SOMETIME WILL NOT COME ON AT ALL.CAR WAS IN MOTION,AND STATIONARY
NHTSA complaint #11040983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesJeffersonville, IN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP, THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V275000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
NHTSA complaint #10548708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 164,431 milesFayetteville, PA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V275000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,431.
NHTSA complaint #10432893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Detroit, MI
SEAT BELTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MERCURY COUGAR. A MONTH AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN JUNE OF 2008, THE ELECTRONIC SEAT BELT SHOULDER STRAP WOULD NOT RETRACT AFTER THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRACKING WAS OFF AND THE SEAT BELT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10254848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,000 milesKilleen, TXFire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS AND THE HEADLIGHTS DIMMED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND THEY MADE THE REPAIR. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V275000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 189,000.
NHTSA complaint #10203174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesWilber, NE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON MARCH 14, 2007 SHE BEGAN TO SMELL FUMES IN THE 1993 MERCURY COUGAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS RECALL 97V159000 CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS ON THIS PARTICULAR YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL, BUT THE CONTACTS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK THE CONSUMER HAS PROVIDED AN INVOICE FOR REPAIR. UPDATED 05/04/07
NHTSA complaint #10186204 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 144,000 milesShelbyville, IN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
LIGHTS PERIODICALLY STOPPED WORKING ELIMINATING VISIBILITY.
NHTSA complaint #10178278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Macomb, IL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
I WAS DRIVING HOME GOING DOWN A COUNTRY ROAD AND MY HEADLIGHTS QUIT WORKING. I ALMOST WRECKED,AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. I ENDED UP DRIVING IT HOME WITH NOTHING BUT PARKING LIGHTS ON WHICH WAS A GOOD HALF HOUR JOURNEY.
NHTSA complaint #10167166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesChicora, PA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL 97V159000 CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. THE CONTACT HAD RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED IN DECEMBER 1997. THE VEHICLE STARTED EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL. SHE HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BY A LOCAL SERVICE DEALER. SINCE RECALL REPAIRS HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT OFFER ANY ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. *AK UPDAYED 11/29/2005 -
NHTSA complaint #10142033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesHellertown, PA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, AT NIGHT HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED OFF AND ON. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THIS DEFECT WAS NOT AN OPEN RECALL. PREVIOUS REPLACEMENT OF THE HEADLIGHTS WERE UNDETERMINED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT HIS VEHICLE BEING OLD IS TO BLAME FOR FAILURE. THE CONSUMER HAD THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10103667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,500 milesSandstone, MN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1993 3.8 L BLEW A HEAD GASKET AT 97K. $1200 OUT OF MY POCKET. I DON'T EVEN MAKE THAT MUCH A MONTH. I WILL NEVER BY A FORD AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10064599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,850 milesClarence, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1993 COUGAR HEAD GASKET BLEW AGAIN .
NHTSA complaint #10058740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,799 milesWaianae, HI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ODOMETER BECAME INOPERATIVE AFTER 84,799 MILES, SPEEDOMETER STILL OPERATES.
NHTSA complaint #10056961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,000 milesRenton, WA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED, AND WHITE SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE ALUMINUM HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS SIZE ENGINE BECAUSE THE GASKET WRAPPED.
NHTSA complaint #10055564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesNEW London, WI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MY 1993 MERCURY COUGAR XR7 HAS BLOWN A HEAD GASKET TWICE (ONE AT 80,000 MILES AND ANOTHER AT 120,000 MILES.) AND AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET ENDLESSLY I HAVE FOUND MANY PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE. THIS IS AN OUTRAGE TO MYSELF AND MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE AND I HOPE THAT YOU CAN DO SOMETHING TO TRY AND CORRECT THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10047283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesWoodbury, MN
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HINGES HAS A FAILURE, THAT RESULTS IN THE DOOR BEING INOPERATIVE(MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO CLOSE).
NHTSA complaint #10021545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 153,000 milesSheboygan Falls, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS CUT OFF OR BECAME DIM. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10016129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesMorris, IL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
HEAD LIGHTS FLICKER OFF AND ON. I HAD TO PLAY WITH THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH TO FINALLY GET THEM BACK ON. AT FIRST THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD NOT COME ON, BUT BARELY PULLED ON SWITCH AND THEY CAME ON. PULLED DASH APART AND NOTICED THE SWITCH BRACKET WAS MELTED A LITTLE AND A (BROWN AND GRAY?) WIRE WAS SCORCHED, MELTED, FRAYED.
NHTSA complaint #10014413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 114,806 milesOrangevale, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKET BLEW @ 114,000 MILES ON 93 MERCURY COUGAR 3.8 V-6 ENGINE. TWO REPAIR SHOPS HAVE STATED "EVERYBODY" IN VEHICLE REPAIR BUSINESS KNOWS THE 3.8 ENGINE HAS GASKET PROBLEM TO THE POINT THE GASKETS BLOW IN ONE OF TWO PLACES. I AM ORIGINAL OWNER OF CAR AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN ABUSED. UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A RECALL ON SOME 3.8 FORD ENGINES, BUT NOT THE '93 ENGINE. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10013863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elizabethtown, KY
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO UNLOCK. *JB THE AUTO SHOULDER BELT DID NOT MOVE AND INTERRUPTS THE ABILITY TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DRIVER DOOR MOLDING DID WOULD NOT STAY IN PLACE. THE DRIVER DOOR HAS TO BE PULLED UP IN ORDER TO SHUT. SCC
NHTSA complaint #10009453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elizabethtown, KY
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THE DRIVER'S DOOR BECAME STUCK.*JB....
NHTSA complaint #10009455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elizabethtown, KY
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO UNLOCK. *JB THE AUTO SHOULDER BELT DID NOT MOVE AND INTERRUPTS THE ABILITY TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DRIVER DOOR MOLDING DID WOULD NOT STAY IN PLACE. THE DRIVER DOOR HAS TO BE PULLED UP IN ORDER TO SHUT. SCC
NHTSA complaint #10009453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plant City, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER STATES IT IS HARD TO START THE VEHICLE AND IT TAKES NUMEROUS TRIES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WILL START. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10002522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 114,522 milesRandolph, MA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE WOULD STILL ACCELERATE. TS
NHTSA complaint #10002225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Valley City, UT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER STATES OF HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE THERMOSTAT. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. TS
NHTSA complaint #8021687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.