MYRModel Year Report

1997 Mercury Cougar

● Typical for this model
1997 Mercury Cougar
RENDERED 2026-09-16T16:47:16.212Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Mercury Cougar Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 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 1994: 145 complaints 1995: 109 complaints 1995 1996: 62 complaints 1997: 76 complaints 1997 1998: 1 complaints 1998 1999: 454 complaints 2000: 211 complaints 2001: 82 complaints 2001 2002: 95 complaints 2002
1997: 76 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 39%

39% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 30 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe and engine.

Show complaint excerpts

MY VEHICLES BECAME TOTALLY DISABLED ON A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY WITH HEAVY AFTER HOURS RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130623

Also filed under POWER TRAIN

SERVICE BRAKES 16%

16% of complaints: service brakes — 12 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH
POWER TRAIN 13%

13% of complaints: power train — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

STOPPED VEHICLE IN STREET, PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, TILTED THE STEERING WHEE, . GOT OUT AND VEHICLE JUMPED INTO REVERSE AND ROLLED BACK. DEALER CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19970807

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 11%

11% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing fuel injection system and carburetor system.

SUSPENSION 8%

8% of complaints: suspension — 6 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing lower ball joint and front.

SAFETY TIMELINE

No recalls on file for this model year.

I 20010105 — EA (closed 20010731)

BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Mercury Cougar — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (30 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (12 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (10 reports on file for this year).
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1987 ▲ 1988 ● 1996

WORST YEARS

■ 1999 ■ 2000 ■ 1993

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Mercury Cougar reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Mercury Cougar is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Mercury Cougar?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 39% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Mercury Cougar have?

No recalls are on file for this model year.

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