MYRModel Year Report

1991 Mercury Cougar

● Typical for this model
1991 Mercury Cougar
RENDERED 2026-11-01T14:49:23.087Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
73
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1991

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

25% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 17 complaints 1985: 10 complaints 1986: 13 complaints 1986 1987: 33 complaints 1988: 55 complaints 1989: 84 complaints 1990: 86 complaints 1991: 73 complaints 1991 73 1992: 92 complaints 1993: 198 complaints 1994: 145 complaints 1995: 109 complaints 1995 1996: 62 complaints 1997: 76 complaints 1998: 1 complaint 1998 1999: 454 complaints 2000: 211 complaints 2001: 82 complaints 2001 2002: 95 complaints
1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1982 1983: 2 complaints 1984: 17 complaints 1984 1985: 10 complaints 1986: 13 complaints 1986 1987: 33 complaints 1988: 55 complaints 1988 1989: 84 complaints 1990: 86 complaints 1991: 73 complaints 1991 73 1992: 92 complaints 1993: 198 complaints 1994: 145 complaints 1994 1995: 109 complaints 1996: 62 complaints 1996 1997: 76 complaints 1998: 1 complaint 1998 1999: 454 complaints 2000: 211 complaints 2000 2001: 82 complaints 2002: 95 complaints 2002
1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1981 1982: 2 complaints 1982 1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 17 complaints 1984 1985: 10 complaints 1985 1986: 13 complaints 1986 1987: 33 complaints 1987 1988: 55 complaints 1988 1989: 84 complaints 1989 1990: 86 complaints 1990 1991: 73 complaints 1991 73 1992: 92 complaints 1992 1993: 198 complaints 1993 1994: 145 complaints 1994 1995: 109 complaints 1995 1996: 62 complaints 1996 1997: 76 complaints 1997 1998: 1 complaint 1998 1999: 454 complaints 1999 2000: 211 complaints 2000 2001: 82 complaints 2001 2002: 95 complaints 2002

1991: 73 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19802
19810
19822
19832
198417
198510
198613
198733
198855
198984
199086
199173
199292
1993198
1994145
1995109
199662
199776
19981
1999454
2000211
200182
200295

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine and engine cooling

25% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

The car starts and runs well. But ever so often without any warning the engine will stall, and then it will crank right up. Lucky for me it hasn't stalled while I was making a left turn with a semi barreling down on me.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-04-22

Also filed under Visibility

Electrical system

18% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing switch and front underhood.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

In the dash above the steering column a fire was started from the wiring harness possibly. Please describe. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-08-03

Also filed under Fuel system, other and visibility

Service brakes

16% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

Vehicle speed control

12% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing springs and accelerator pedal.

INJURY

Seat belts

12% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing retractor and buckle assembly.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1991-05-24Visibility91V076000 The nuts which hold windshield wiper motor to the wiper module may not have been sufficiently tightened and may loosen or come off. This causes changed wiper patterns, or the wipers may jam if two…

    Remedy: Apply torque retention material to wiper motor studs and nuts and retorque.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1991-07-22Power train91V048000 The park rod assembly contains a park cam with inadequate surface hardness, which could lead to park disengagement or no park engagement when the lever is placed in park.

    Remedy: Replace park rod assembly on automatic transmissions.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    1993-08-30Preliminary evaluationClosed 1993-12-30 Thrttl vlv linkage bushing
  4. I
    1993-12-30Engineering analysisClosed 1994-12-30 Thrttl vlv linkage bushing
  5. R
    1996-06-07Electrical system96V071000 The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1991 Mercury Cougar — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 18 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 13 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 12 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 91V076000 · Visibility
  • Recall 91V048000 · Power train
  • Recall 96V071000 · Electrical system
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1991 Mercury Cougar reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1991 Mercury Cougar is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Mercury Cougar?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1991 Mercury Cougar have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.