1993 Mercury Cougar Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1993 Mercury Cougar, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine10550.5%
- Exterior lighting2311.1%
- Brakes2311.1%
- Fuel system104.8%
- Seat belts94.3%
- Body & structure83.8%
- Electrical62.9%
- Driver assistance41.9%
- Suspension41.9%
- Transmission31.4%
- Visibility21.0%
- Heating & air conditioning21.0%
- Interior & seats21.0%
- Steering21.0%
- Tires & wheels21.0%
- Airbags21.0%
- Other / unspecified10.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
1993 3.8 L BLEW A HEAD GASKET AT 97K. $1200 OUT OF MY POCKET. I DON'T EVEN MAKE THAT MUCH A MONTH. I WILL NEVER BY A FORD AGAIN. *JB
1993 COUGAR HEAD GASKET BLEW AGAIN . *AK
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
HEAD LIGHT SWITCH HARD TO APPLY HEAD LIGHT FLICKER ON AND OFF.SOMETIME WILL NOT COME ON AT ALL.CAR WAS IN MOTION,AND STATIONARY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP, THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V275000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATES OF HAVING PROBLEMS WITH SENSOR. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. TS
GREASE ON THREADS AND SELF ADJUSTING STAR GETS FULL OF BRAKE DUST, SEIZES UP AND REFUSES TO TURN, SELF ADJUSTING ARM BREAKS TEETH OFF STAR, REAR BRAKE DONT ADJUST CAUSING CAR TO STOP WITH FRONT BRAKES WHICH OVERHEAT, BRAKE FLUID TURNS TO GAS BY BOILING AND NEVER RETURNS TO LIQUID SO THE FRONT BRAKES RUB AND THE BRAKES OVERHEAT, REAR BRAKES CHANGED YET PROBLEM CONTINUES. NLM
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON MARCH 14, 2007 SHE BEGAN TO SMELL FUMES IN THE 1993 MERCURY COUGAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS RECALL 97V159000 CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS ON THIS PARTICULAR YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL, BUT THE CONTACTS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK THE CONSUMER HAS PROVIDED AN INVOICE FOR REPAIR. UPDATED 05/04/07*TR
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL 97V159000 CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. THE CONTACT HAD RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED IN DECEMBER 1997. THE VEHICLE STARTED EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL. SHE HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BY A LOCAL SERVICE DEALER. SINCE RECALL REPAIRS HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT OFFER ANY ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. *AK UPDAYED 11/29/2005 - *NM
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MERCURY COUGAR. A MONTH AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN JUNE OF 2008, THE ELECTRONIC SEAT BELT SHOULDER STRAP WOULD NOT RETRACT AFTER THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRACKING WAS OFF AND THE SEAT BELT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE.
THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO UNLOCK. *JB THE AUTO SHOULDER BELT DID NOT MOVE AND INTERRUPTS THE ABILITY TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DRIVER DOOR MOLDING DID WOULD NOT STAY IN PLACE. THE DRIVER DOOR HAS TO BE PULLED UP IN ORDER TO SHUT. SCC
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HINGES HAS A FAILURE, THAT RESULTS IN THE DOOR BEING INOPERATIVE(MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO CLOSE).*AK
THE DRIVER'S DOOR BECAME STUCK.*JB....*AK
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS CUT OFF OR BECAME DIM. *NLM *TT
LEFT HUB IS STARTING TO GO OUT..THE LOCK IS STUCK ON MY IGNITION SWITCH SO I CANN'T CRANK MY CAR..MOTOR MOUNT BROKE.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
ODOMETER BECAME INOPERATIVE AFTER 84,799 MILES, SPEEDOMETER STILL OPERATES. *AK
WHILE DRIVING OR PROCEEDING FROM A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATES WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES WILL NOT STOP THE VEHICLE *YD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE VEHICLE IS STILL RUNNING ENGINE HEAVILY VIBRATES.*AK
STEERING STARTED TO JERK WHEN TURNING A CORNER, THE STEERING OR FRONT END SEEMED DEFECTIVE. DEALER CONTACTED AND REPAIR WORK WAS DONE, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE WOULD STILL ACCELERATE. TS *JG
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, BRAKE'S WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD. ALSO, PCV VALVE WENT OUT, AND TRANSMISSION OVERFLOWED WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO GET ONTO TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE. CONSUMER HAD THE ENGINE REBUILT, AND TWO WATER PUMPS WERE REPLACED. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
IN COLD CLIMATE WEATHER THE WINDSHIELD WASHER LINES FREEZE UP ALL THE TIME. *AK
CONSUMER COMPLAINS ABOUT LACK OF LOCKS ON POWER WINDOWS, DOG STEPPED ON BUTTON, CAUSING WINDOW TO GO UP/CATCHING DOGS NECK IN WINDOW.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR CONDITIONER SWITCH THAT CONTROLED HEATING AIR MALFUNCTIONED, AND IT MELTED, EXPOSING A POSITIVE TERMINAL. THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE HAZARD. ALSO, SEAT BELT ON PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS NOT OPERABLE. *AK
DISC BRAKE ROTORS WARPED WITH VERY LOW MILAGE. AIR CONDITIONER MOTOR CHIRPS AND HAS TO BE REPLACED APPROXIMATELY EVERY SIX MONTHS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED ON AND OFF, CONSUMER HAD TO WIGGLE THE SWITCH TO MAKE THE LIGHTS COME BACK ON, AND SOMETIMES IT DID NOT WORK, LOST ALL LIGHTS, AND SMELLED WIRES BURNING. CONTACTED DEALER *AKTHE SWITCH WAS REPLACED BUT THAT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, THE WIRING HARNESS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO MELTED WIRING AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT REOCCURED. NLM
DASHBOARD COMPUTER SYSTEM GOES CRAZY. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THERE'S NO WAY TO TELL HOW FAST CAR IS TRAVELING. ALSO, OIL GAUGE WILL SHOW THAT VEHICLE OVERHEATED WHEN IT DID NOT OVERHEAT. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED, CAUSING THE STEERING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION WHICH MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. STEERING PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED 5 TIMES. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN . PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW, IT HAD A REAL HARD PULL TO RIGHT. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER TO CHECK OUT. THEY ALIGNED THE FRONT END , STILL HARD PULL . THEY SENT ME TO THE SAME FIRESTONE DEALER. THEY SAID IT WAS IN THE ALIGNMENT (11,200MI) AFTER THE ALIGNMENT($100) THE MECHANIC PUT BACK ON RACK TO ROTATE TIRES , I WOULD NOT AGREE TO THAT, SO I WENT TO TIRE AMERICA TO BUY NEW TIRES,(MICHELIN) AND THE HARD PULL WENT AWAY. SO FIRESTONE HAS MADE JUNK TIRES FOR SOMETIME!! I DON'T WANT NOTHING FROM FIRESTONE!! THEY WOULDN'T HELP WHEN THEY SHOULD HAVE!!!DON'T THINK THAT I AM JUST JUMPING ON THE BAND WAGON, JUST WANT TO TELL MY SIDE OF THE STORY, FORD AND FIRESTONE WOULDN'T LISTEN. THANKS!!!UNK T( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P215/70R15 )
TIRE CAME OFF VEHICLE, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT/INJURY WITH NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AIR BAG.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TIRE CAME OFF VEHICLE, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT/INJURY WITH NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AIR BAG.
ON TWO OCCASIONS CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. TT TWO PERSONS WERE INJURED IN FIRST ACCIDENT. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
LEFT HUB IS STARTING TO GO OUT..THE LOCK IS STUCK ON MY IGNITION SWITCH SO I CANN'T CRANK MY CAR..MOTOR MOUNT BROKE.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .