1997 Mercury COUGAR: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
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 10007560 · 2003-02-15 (February 15, 2003)
LOWER RIGHT BALL JOINT SEPARATED. PH
Owner-reported narrative. 58,970 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007560 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021761 · 2003-05-28 (May 28, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH THE VEHICLE INTAKE PLASTIC MANIFOLD OVER HEATED WITH NO WARNING AND THE CONSUMER WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10021761 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10031533 · 2003-07-30 (July 30, 2003)
ON 7/29/2003 WHILE FUELING T GAS WAS LEAKING UNDER THE VEHICLE. OWNER LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THREE HOLES IN THE FUEL LINE. OWNER STATED THAT DRIVESHAFT WAS RUBBING ON THE FUEL LINE WHICH CAUSED THE HOLES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10031533 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038298 · 2003-09-02 (September 2, 2003)
LEFT FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT ON VEHICLE BROKE AFTER HITTING A POTHOLE.*MR THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL RIM SHOWED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC SWITCH THE TWO LEFT TIRES FROM FRONT TO BACK. THE VEHICLE DIDN'T WOBBLE OR HAVE ANY VIBRATION AFTER THE FACT. THE CONSUMER HAD GREASED FITTINGS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATED NO GREASE WOULD BE NEEDED FOR 100,00 MILES. *PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10038298 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10044020 · 2003-11-24 (November 24, 2003)
THE CONSUMER EXAMINED THE ENGINE AND NOTICED COOLANT HAD LEAKED DUE TO A CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD. *AK *JB *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10044020 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10044786 · 2003-12-02 (December 2, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER SMELLED ANTI FREEZE FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. ANTIFREEZE FUMES WERE AFFECTING THE CONSUMER'S BREATHING. *AK A CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD, PLUG WIRES AND A BAD EXHAUST HOSE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MAF SENSOR WAS CLEANED AND THE WAS ANTIFREEZE REPLACED. *TT *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10044786 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10045531 · 2003-11-05 (November 5, 2003)
1997 COUGAR XR7, 4.6LITER ENGINE. CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOD ALLOWS COOLING FLUID TO ESCAPE. PROBLEM HAS BEEN PRESENT FOR OVER THREE YEARS BUT HAS NEVER BEEN LOCATED UNTIL LATELY WHEN FLUID LOSS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY/*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 73,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10045531 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.