1993 Mercury Cougar

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

1993 Mercury Cougar
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:27:07.952Z

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

1993: 195 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1980	2
1981	0
1982	2
1983	2
1984	17
1985	10
1986	13
1987	33
1988	55
1989	81
1990	86
1991	73
1992	92
1993	195
1994	137
1995	109
1996	62
1997	76
1998	1
1999	454
2000	211
2001	82
2002	95

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 42%

42% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 81 distinct reports on file.

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

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9%

9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 17 distinct reports on file.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 6%

6% of complaints: exterior lighting — 12 distinct reports on file.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 6%

6% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 11 distinct reports on file.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 3%

3% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 5 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1993 — complaint volume: 195

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 (81 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (17 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (12 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.

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:engine, accounting for 42% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1993 Mercury Cougar have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.