1991 Mercury COUGAR problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
47 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
95,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 47 complaints (17.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 9 | 19.1% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 8.5% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 4.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 4.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 4.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 8 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 3 |
| Seat Belts | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 3 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 8; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 3; Seat Belts: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 42 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 13 |
| 1996 | 14 |
| 2000 | 11 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
1995: 13; 1996: 14; 2000: 11; 2002: 3; 2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2009: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10076168 · 2004-07-06 (July 6, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED. AS A RESULT, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. *AK THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN MAKING NOISES SINCE IT WAS NEW. THE CONSUMER THOUGHT IT WAS NORMAL. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE PARTS. *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 78,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10076168 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 479624 · 1995-05-24 (May 24, 1995)
BRAKE PEDAL IS VERY STIFF. (OTHER VEHICLE ON 489324) *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 479624 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 722078 · 2000-04-29 (April 29, 2000)
THE HEAD GASKET WENT BAD EVEN AFTER ROUTINE REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND ONLY 80,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. ACCORDING TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND SEVERAL MECHANICS THIS IS EXTREMELY COMMON. I WAS FORTUNATE BECAUSE THE HEADS AND BLOCK WERE NOT CRACKED UNLIKE THE MAJORITY OF THE ONES THAT ARE SERVICED. IT SEEMS THAT IF THE 3.8 LITER HAS THIS PROBLEM THEN MAYBE THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW OR QUALITY PROBLEM WITH THE GASKET. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS WHEN HAVING THIS FIXED, THE STEERING PUMP FRONT GASKET USUALLY BREAKS WHEN THE BELT IS REMOVED, THIS SHOULD NOT H…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 722078 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 983643 · 1996-04-26 (April 26, 1996)
AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OR SHOCK CAUSED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND WIRES IN THE STEERING COLUMN TO CATCH ON FIRE WHILE PARKED. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 983643 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10069593 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
THE CAR STARTS AND RUNS WELL. BUT EVER SO OFTEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE ENGINE WILL STALL, AND THEN IT WILL CRANK RIGHT UP. LUCKY FOR ME IT HASN'T STALLED WHILE I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN WITH A SEMI BARRELING DOWN ON ME.
Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10069593 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 977243 · 1996-01-02 (January 2, 1996)
IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE, CAUSES LOSS OF POWER WINDOWS AND BRAKING. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 977243 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10197452 · 2007-07-25 (July 25, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH. THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS DIMMED AND THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CIRCUIT BREAKER HAD A SHORT CIRCUIT. RECALL NUMBER 99V275000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH) WAS FOUND. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 141,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 141,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10197452 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 550610 · 2000-01-27 (January 27, 2000)
GAS TANK IS LEAKING AT THE TOP OF THE TANK. *MJS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 550610 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 717423 · 2000-01-16 (January 16, 2000)
GAS TANK LEAKS WHEN FILLED COMPLETELY, INDICATING A LEAK AT THE TOP OF THE TANK OR GAS LINES GOING INTO THE TANK. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD SEVERAL TIMES BUT THEY SAY IT IS NOT COVERED. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY A ROAD HAZARD SINCE IT IS AT THE TOP OF THE TANK. FORD SAID THEY WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR SINCE IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. THEY DID AGREE IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 717423 at NHTSA ↗