Complaints
98
Crashes
5
Fires
8
Injuries
10
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1991 Mercury Cougar Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#115 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
#27 complaints
Unintended Acceleration
Avg mileage:95,000 mi
#36 complaints
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1991 Mercury Cougar.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 15 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 7 | — | — | 95,000 mi | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 4 | — | 3 | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 1 | — | — | — |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
15
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
95,000
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel Pump
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve)
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Other
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1991 Mercury Cougar. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Mercury Cougar Years
1991 Mercury Cougar — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1991 Mercury Cougar reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1991 Mercury Cougar has 98 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine with 15 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1991 Mercury Cougar?
Top reported problems: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (15 complaints); Unintended Acceleration (7 complaints, avg 95,000 mi); Exterior Lighting:Headlights (6 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1991 Mercury Cougar?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 95,000 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1991 Mercury Cougar?
NHTSA complaints for the 1991 Mercury Cougar include 5 crash-related reports, 8 fire reports, 10 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1991 Mercury Cougar have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1991 Mercury Cougar as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1991 Mercury Cougar?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Mercury Cougar reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1991 Mercury Cougar
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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