Complaints
112
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Injuries
2
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1997 Mercury Cougar Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#110 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Avg mileage:78,984 mi
#28 complaints
Engine & Cooling
Avg mileage:71,424 mi
#35 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Avg mileage:106,289 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 Mercury Cougar.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 10 | — | — | 78,984 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 8 | — | — | 71,424 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 | — | — | 106,289 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Service Brakes, Air:Disc:Rotor | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Horn | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 1 | — | — | — |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
78,984
Engine & Cooling
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
71,424
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
106,289
Automatic Transmission
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Manual Transmission
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheel Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Air:Disc:Rotor
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Horn
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Other Equipment
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1997 Mercury Cougar. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Mercury Cougar Years
1997 Mercury Cougar — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1997 Mercury Cougar reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1997 Mercury Cougar has 112 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe with 10 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1997 Mercury Cougar?
Top reported problems: Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe (10 complaints, avg 78,984 mi); Engine & Cooling (8 complaints, avg 71,424 mi); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (5 complaints, avg 106,289 mi). 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 1997 Mercury Cougar?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 82,290 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1997 Mercury Cougar?
NHTSA complaints for the 1997 Mercury Cougar include 2 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 2 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 1997 Mercury Cougar have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1997 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 1997 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 1997 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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