Mercury Cougar problems by year
1,841 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across 18 Mercury Cougar model years. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaint totals are lifetime counts — years that have been on the road longer accumulate more reports.
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most reported problem | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 95 | 1 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 2001 | 82 | 1 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 2000 Most complained | 211 | 3 | Electrical System | |
| 1999 Most complained | 454 | 5 | Electrical System | |
| 1997 | 76 | 0 | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1996 | 62 | 0 | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1995 | 109 | 0 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 1994 | 137 | 0 | Power Train | |
| 1993 Most complained | 195 | 0 | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1992 | 92 | 0 | Exterior Lighting | |
| 1991 | 73 | 0 | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1990 | 86 | 0 | Electrical System | |
| 1989 | 81 | 0 | Vehicle Speed Control | |
| 1988 | 55 | 0 | Seat Belts | |
| 1987 | 33 | 0 | Electrical System | |
| 1986 Fewer complaints | 13 | 0 | — | |
| 1985 Fewer complaints | 10 | 0 | — | |
| 1984 Fewer complaints | 17 | 0 | — |
How to read this. Complaints are unverified reports owners file with NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation, counted once per case number. Raw totals are not adjusted for sales volume, and recent model years have had less time on the road. “Most complained” flags years well above the model’s median; treat it as a signal for deeper research, not a verdict. This page is not affiliated with Mercury.