Mercury Cougar years to avoid
The Mercury Cougar years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2002, 1992, 1997, 1989, 1990, 2001, 1991, 1996, 1988, 1987 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1981 is the cleanest year on record.
2,646
Total complaints
52
Recall campaigns
1962–2002
Years covered
15
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Cougar years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | High complaint rate | 740 | |
| 2000 | High complaint rate | 283 | |
| 1993 | High complaint rate | 236 | |
| 1994 | High complaint rate | 178 | |
| 1995 | High complaint rate | 160 | |
| 2002 | High complaint rate | 127 | |
| 1992 | High complaint rate | 122 | |
| 1997 | High complaint rate | 112 | |
| 1989 | High complaint rate | 104 | |
| 1990 | High complaint rate | 104 | |
| 2001 | High complaint rate | 103 | |
| 1991 | High complaint rate | 98 | |
| 1996 | High complaint rate | 77 | |
| 1988 | High complaint rate | 72 | |
| 1987 | High complaint rate | 49 |
Every Cougar year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002avoid | 127 | 3 | |
| 2001avoid | 103 | 3 | |
| 2000avoid | 283 | 5 | |
| 1999avoid | 740 | 9 | |
| 1998 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1997avoid | 112 | 0 | |
| 1996avoid | 77 | 2 | |
| 1995avoid | 160 | 0 | |
| 1994avoid | 178 | 0 | |
| 1993avoid | 236 | 3 | |
| 1992avoid | 122 | 3 | |
| 1991avoid | 98 | 3 | |
| 1990avoid | 104 | 3 | |
| 1989avoid | 104 | 4 | |
| 1988avoid | 72 | 1 | |
| 1987avoid | 49 | 1 | |
| 1986 | 20 | 2 | |
| 1985 | 22 | 1 | |
| 1984 | 25 | 1 | |
| 1983 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1982 | 2 | 4 | |
| 1981 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1980 | 3 | 2 | |
| 1979 | 0 | 3 | |
| 1978 | 2 | 2 | |
| 1977 | 0 | 4 | |
| 1976 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1975 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1974 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1973 | 3 | 0 | |
| 1972 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1971 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1970 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1969 | 0 | 4 | |
| 1968 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1967 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1962 | 1 | 0 |
Common questions
What are the worst Mercury Cougar years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Cougar years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2002, 1992, 1997, 1989, 1990, 2001, 1991, 1996, 1988, 1987. The cleanest year on record is 1981.
What is the best year for the Mercury Cougar?
By complaint volume, 1981 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Cougar years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Mercury Cougar have?
Across all model years, the Cougar has 52 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 2,646 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.