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1997 Mercury Cougar

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

26 reports with mileage · 50 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

1 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2007
Exterior Lighting

FORD HEADLIGHTS: CLOUDY LENSES: FORD MADE AUTOS HAVE PLASTIC LENSES/HEADLIGHTS THAT CLOUD UP OVER TIME, WITHIN 5 YEARS TO 10 YEARS, THAT LIMIT EFFECTIVENESS OF THE HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT. I PERSONALLY HAVE HIT CURBS AND NARROWLY MISSED PEDESTRIANS ETC DUE TO INABILITY TO SEE THEM AT NIGHT DUE TO LOW HEADLIGHT BRIGHTNESS. THE…

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FORD HEADLIGHTS: CLOUDY LENSES: FORD MADE AUTOS HAVE PLASTIC LENSES/HEADLIGHTS THAT CLOUD UP OVER TIME, WITHIN 5 YEARS TO 10 YEARS, THAT LIMIT EFFECTIVENESS OF THE HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT. I PERSONALLY HAVE HIT CURBS AND NARROWLY MISSED PEDESTRIANS ETC DUE TO INABILITY TO SEE THEM AT NIGHT DUE TO LOW HEADLIGHT BRIGHTNESS. THE FORD/MERCURY DEALER INFORMS ME THAT TO REPLACE THE FOGGED LENSES, I WILL HAVE TO PAY HIM $350.00 PER HEADLIGHT FOR A WHOLE NEW ASSEMBLY. LENSES ARE NOT SOLD SEPARATELY, HE SAYS. CANNOT BE CLEANED, HE SAYS. WHY, WHY, WHY DO YOU LET FORD GET BY WITH SELLING CARS THAT HAVE THESE DEFECTIVE, PRONE TO FAILURE HEADLIGHT LENSES? PEOPLE CAN'T SEE WHERE THEY ARE GOING AT NIGHT! DOESN'T THAT CONCERN YOU? LOOK THROUGH ANY PARKING LOT, SEE THE FORD PRODUCTS WITH DARKENED, RUINED LENSES. THESE ARE ACCIDENTS WAITING TO HAPPEN TO 1000'S OF DRIVERS WHO CAN'T AFFORD $350 PER HEADLIGHT EVERY 5 YEARS OR SO! FORD SHOULD RECALL THESE CARS AND/OR OFFER REASONABLE COST REPLACEMENTS. $350 PER LENS IS NOT REASONABLE! *NM

NHTSA ODI #10183370

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA01001 · Blower Switch/resistor Or Wiring Harness

Opened Jan 5, 2001 · Closed Jul 31, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

Electrical System

There is no summary currently available