MYRModel Year Report

1992 Mercury Cougar

● Typical for this model
1992 Mercury Cougar
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:35:55.992Z

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
92
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1992

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Exterior lighting

30% 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 1989 1990: 86 complaints 1991: 73 complaints 1992: 92 complaints 1992 92 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 1990 1991: 73 complaints 1992: 92 complaints 1992 92 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 1992: 92 complaints 1992 92 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

1992: 92 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.

Exterior lighting

30% · 28 reports

Most commonly citing switch and headlights.

Show complaint excerpts

Headlights go out unexpectedly while driving at night, sometimes will blink back on and sometimes not. Very dangerous with oncoming traffic. Must pull over and wait extended periods of time to continue driving.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-09-22

Engine and engine cooling

22% · 20 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIRE

Service brakes

10% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

Vehicle speed control

9% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Twice the gas petal has gotten stuck and the car accelerated to high speed which caused an accident. Please describe details. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-01-24

Fuel system, gasoline

8% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing delivery and tank assembly.

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. I
    1993-08-30Preliminary evaluationClosed 1993-12-30 Thrttl vlv linkage bushing
  2. I
    1995-10-31Engineering analysisClosed 1997-09-30 Rear fuel line interference
  3. 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 →

  4. I
    1997-09-25Recall queryClosed 1998-11-16 Fuel line jumper
  5. R
    1997-10-27Fuel system, gasoline97V159000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of Connecticut, district of columbia, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a plastic convolute covering around the fuel lines. If the lines show a leak, the lines will be replaced first.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    1999-01-20Engineering analysisClosed 1999-12-14 Headlight switch
  7. R
    1999-11-15Exterior lighting99V275000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a headlight switch which incorporates a circuit breaker of revised design, and install a wiring harness connector, if needed.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1992 Mercury Cougar — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Exterior lighting: 28 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 20 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 9 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 96V071000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 97V159000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 99V275000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1992 Mercury Cougar reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1992 Mercury Cougar is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1992 Mercury Cougar?
The most-reported component is exterior lighting, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1992 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.