1997 Mercury COUGAR problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
53 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
71,550 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 26 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 53 complaints (18.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 5.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 3.8% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 1.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.9% |
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:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 10 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 4 |
| Tires | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System | 3 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 10; Engine And Engine Cooling: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 4; Tires: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System: 3; Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint: 3; Electrical System: 2
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 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 27 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 6 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 9 |
| 2004 | 13 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
2000: 6; 2001: 3; 2002: 4; 2003: 9; 2004: 13; 2005: 7; 2006: 4; 2007: 2; 2008: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 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 10000759 · 2003-01-07 (January 7, 2003)
WE HAVE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH THIS VEHICLE. ONE OF WHICH IS THE BRAKES. ANOTHER IS THE COOLING SYSTEM. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE MANIFOLD BUT OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER WLLL NOT REPLACE EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE ASKED THEM TO DO SO. IN ADDITION THE ENGINE HAD A PROBLEM WHICH NO ONE COULD FIGURE OUT.
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000759 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8012308 · 2002-06-20 (June 20, 2002)
FRONT HYDRAULIC DISC ROTORS ARE 1/2 INCH BIGGER THAT REAR ROTORS WHICH CAUSES ROTORS TO WARP. BRAKES OVERHEAT, STEERING STARTS SHAKING, AND FRONT END WILL NOSE DIVE IF VEHICLE BRAKES TOO HARD, CAUSING WHEELS TO LOCK UP. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8012308 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10129641 · 2005-07-21 (July 21, 2005)
I PARKED OUR 1997 COUGAR IN THE DRIVEWAY AROUND 5:00P.M. ON 07/15/05. I HAVE NOT BEEN HAVING ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. ABOUT 1:00A.M. ON 07/16/05, WE WERE AWAKEN BY NEIGHBORS WHO HAD SPOTTED THE CAR ON FIRE. THE FIREMEN SAID IT APPEARED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM STARTING ON THE RIGHT SIDE. SINCE IT WAS TOTALLY BURNED, WE DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED. I E-MAILED THE FORD CORPORATE & FILLED OUT THE INFORMATION INCLUDING THE VIN ASKING ABOUT A RECALL, BUT I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING FROM THEM EXCEPT THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIVING…
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10129641 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 552943 · 2000-07-10 (July 10, 2000)
THE CONSUMER NOTICE LITTLE BY LITTLE THE LIGHTS STOPED WORKING,THERE IS LITTLE EVIDENCE OF A FIRE/BURNING, HOWEVER OWNER DOES NOT KNOW WHEN OR HOW IT MAY HAVE HAPPENED, POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL FAILURE. *ET
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 552943 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10411712 · 2011-07-11 (July 11, 2011)
FUEL WAS NOTED LEAKING FROM FUEL LINES JUST AFT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, FUEL WAS SEEM RUNNING DOWN THE FUEL LINES AND SIDE OF FUEL TANK. LEAK WAS CAUSED BY FUEL LINES CHAFFING THROUGH ON TOP OF TANK. CAR HAD 51,000 MILES ON IT. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10411712 at NHTSA ↗