MYRModel Year Report

1993 Mercury Cougar

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1993 Mercury Cougar
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:43:54.337Z

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
198
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1993

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

59% 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 1993: 198 complaints 1993 198 1994: 145 complaints 1995: 109 complaints 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 1993: 198 complaints 1993 198 1994: 145 complaints 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 1993: 198 complaints 1993 198 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

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% · 116 reports

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-03

Service brakes

13% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH

Exterior lighting

12% · 24 reports

Most commonly citing headlights and switch.

CRASHFIRE
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, 2007-09-17

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, 2017-10-29

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, 2013-10-21

Fuel system, gasoline

5% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing hoses, lines/piping, and fittings and delivery.

Structure

4% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing hinge and attachments and door.

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1993Complaint volume 198 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. 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 →

  3. I
    1997-09-25Recall queryClosed 1998-11-16 Fuel line jumper
  4. 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 →

  5. I
    1999-01-20Engineering analysisClosed 1999-12-14 Headlight switch
  6. 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

1993 Mercury Cougar — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 116 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 26 reports on file for this year.
  • Exterior lighting: 24 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 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 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.