MYRModel Year Report

Mercury Cougar — years to avoid

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.

3 model years to avoid, 2 to watch and 2 best bets. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.

Avoid3 years

Caution2 years

Best bets2 years

Complaint history

1980: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1980 1981: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1982: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1983: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1983 1984: 17 complaints, Not enough data 1985: 10 complaints, Not enough data 1986: 13 complaints, Not enough data 1986 1987: 33 complaints, Recommended 1988: 55 complaints, Recommended 1989: 84 complaints, Recommended 1989 1990: 86 complaints, Recommended 1991: 73 complaints, Recommended 1992: 92 complaints, Recommended 1992 1993: 198 complaints, Avoid 1994: 145 complaints, Caution 1995: 109 complaints, Caution 1995 1996: 62 complaints, Recommended 1997: 76 complaints, Recommended 1998: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1999: 454 complaints, Avoid 1999 2000: 211 complaints, Avoid 2001: 82 complaints, Recommended 2002: 95 complaints, Recommended 1999 · 454
1980: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1980 1981: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1982: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1982 1983: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1984: 17 complaints, Not enough data 1984 1985: 10 complaints, Not enough data 1986: 13 complaints, Not enough data 1986 1987: 33 complaints, Recommended 1988: 55 complaints, Recommended 1988 1989: 84 complaints, Recommended 1990: 86 complaints, Recommended 1990 1991: 73 complaints, Recommended 1992: 92 complaints, Recommended 1992 1993: 198 complaints, Avoid 1994: 145 complaints, Caution 1994 1995: 109 complaints, Caution 1996: 62 complaints, Recommended 1996 1997: 76 complaints, Recommended 1998: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1999: 454 complaints, Avoid 1999 2000: 211 complaints, Avoid 2001: 82 complaints, Recommended 2002: 95 complaints, Recommended 2002 1999 · 454
1980: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1980 1981: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1981 1982: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1982 1983: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1983 1984: 17 complaints, Not enough data 1984 1985: 10 complaints, Not enough data 1985 1986: 13 complaints, Not enough data 1986 1987: 33 complaints, Recommended 1987 1988: 55 complaints, Recommended 1988 1989: 84 complaints, Recommended 1989 1990: 86 complaints, Recommended 1990 1991: 73 complaints, Recommended 1991 1992: 92 complaints, Recommended 1992 1993: 198 complaints, Avoid 1993 1994: 145 complaints, Caution 1994 1995: 109 complaints, Caution 1995 1996: 62 complaints, Recommended 1996 1997: 76 complaints, Recommended 1997 1998: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1998 1999: 454 complaints, Avoid 1999 2000: 211 complaints, Avoid 2000 2001: 82 complaints, Recommended 2001 2002: 95 complaints, Recommended 2002 1999 · 454
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Recommended
  • Not enough data

Every year, ranked

Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.

YearRankingComplaintsCompared with a typical year
2002 ● Recommended 95 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2001 ● Recommended 82 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2000 ■ Avoid 211 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1999 ■ Avoid 454 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1998 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1997 ● Recommended 76 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1996 ● Recommended 62 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1995 ◆ Caution 109 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1994 ◆ Caution 145 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1993 ■ Avoid 198 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1992 ● Recommended 92 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1991 ● Recommended 73 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1990 ● Recommended 86 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1989 ● Recommended 84 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1988 ▲ Recommended 55 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1987 ▲ Recommended 33 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1986 ○ Not enough data 13 Only 13 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1985 ○ Not enough data 10 Only 10 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1984 ○ Not enough data 17 Only 17 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1983 ○ Not enough data 2 Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1982 ○ Not enough data 2 Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1981 ○ Not enough data 0 Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1980 ○ Not enough data 2 Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
How the rankings work

Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.

  • ▲ Recommended

    At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.

  • ● Recommended

    Within 30% of the model’s typical year.

  • ◆ Caution

    30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.

  • ■ Avoid

    More than double the complaints of the typical year.

  • ○ Not enough data

    Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.

Recalls

32

recalls on file across every Mercury Cougar model year.

Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.

Other Mercury models