MYRModel Year Report

1993 Mercury Cougar

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1993 Mercury Cougar
RENDERED 2026-09-17T03:39:57.099Z

This year had more than double the complaints 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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Mercury Cougar Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1993 highlighted. 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 1993: 198 complaints 1993 1994: 145 complaints 1995: 109 complaints 1995 1996: 62 complaints 1997: 76 complaints 1998: 1 complaints 1998 1999: 454 complaints 2000: 211 complaints 2001: 82 complaints 2001 2002: 95 complaints 2002
1993: 198 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 59%

59% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 116 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STARTED OVERHEATING, SMOKE /STEAM CAME FROM THE TAIL PIPE.HAD VEHICLE TOWED. HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN OUT. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20020903

SERVICE BRAKES 13%

13% of complaints: service brakes — 26 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 12%

12% of complaints: exterior lighting — 24 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing headlights and switch.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20070917

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 ODI report, 20171029

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20131021

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 5%

5% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hoses, lines/piping, and fittings and delivery.

STRUCTURE 4%

4% of complaints: structure — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hinge and attachments and door.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1993 — complaint volume: 198
R 19960607 — electrical system

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Campaign 96V071000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19970925 — RQ (closed 19981116)

FUEL LINE JUMPER

R 19971027 — fuel system, gasoline

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAN

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PLASTIC CONVOLUTE COVERING AROUND THE FUEL LINES. IF THE LINES SHOW A LEAK, THE LINES WILL BE REPLACED FIRST.

Campaign 97V159000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19990120 — EA (closed 19991214)

HEADLIGHT SWITCH

R 19991115 — exterior lighting

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 CIRCU

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH WHICH INCORPORATES A CIRCUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN, AND INSTALL A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR, IF NEEDED.

Campaign 99V275000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1993 Mercury Cougar — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (116 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (26 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (24 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 96V071000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V159000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V275000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1987 ▲ 1988 ● 1996

WORST YEARS

■ 1999 ■ 2000 ◆ 1994

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1993 Mercury Cougar reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1993 Mercury Cougar is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1993 Mercury Cougar?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 59% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1993 Mercury Cougar have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.