MYRModel Year Report

1997 Mercury Cougar

● Typical for this model
1997 Mercury Cougar
RENDERED 2026-11-01T14:47:49.187Z

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
76
Recalls
0

None on file

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

39% 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 1993: 198 complaints 1994: 145 complaints 1995: 109 complaints 1996: 62 complaints 1997: 76 complaints 1997 76 1998: 1 complaint 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 1993: 198 complaints 1994: 145 complaints 1994 1995: 109 complaints 1996: 62 complaints 1997: 76 complaints 1997 76 1998: 1 complaint 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 1994: 145 complaints 1994 1995: 109 complaints 1995 1996: 62 complaints 1996 1997: 76 complaints 1997 76 1998: 1 complaint 1998 1999: 454 complaints 1999 2000: 211 complaints 2000 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% · 30 reports

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, 2013-06-23

Also filed under Power train

Service brakes

16% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH

Power train

13% · 10 reports

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 1997-08-07

Fuel system, gasoline

11% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing fuel injection system and carburetor system.

Suspension

8% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing lower ball joint and front.

Safety timeline

No recalls on file for this model year.

0 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

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

  1. I
    2001-01-05Engineering analysisClosed 2001-07-31 Blower switch/resistor or wiring harness

Buy-smart checklist

1997 Mercury Cougar — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 30 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 12 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 10 reports on file for this year.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.