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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.

About this comparison →
76Owner complaints

Model-year median: 2

0Recall campaigns

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1Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
137
1994109
199562
199676
19971
1998454
1999211
2000
Compare all Cougar years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
30Power Train
10Service Brakes, Hydraulic
9Fuel System, Gasoline
8Suspension
6
All reported categories
Electrical System
4Tires
4Seat Belts
3Unknown Or Other
3Visibility
3Equipment
2Service Brakes, Air
2Steering
2Structure
2Vehicle Speed Control
2Air Bags
1Engine
1Exterior Lighting
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Parking Brake
1Seats
1Wheels
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STARTS SPEEDING BY ITSELF.DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8018765

Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

WHILE TRAVELING 30MPH IN TRAFFIC STARTED APPLYING BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, HAD NO BRAKES, AND VEHICLE KEPT GOING. BRAKE PEDAL WAS ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL HAD FAILED. STOPPED VEHICLE AND HAD IT TOWED TO MECHANIC. WAS INFORMED THAT BRAKE BOOSTER PLUNGER, HAD WORN OUT, CAUSING NON BRAKING ABILITY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #898840

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