Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 122 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 40.7 times the median Cougar year — the 1992 model ranks #7 of 37 Cougar years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.
No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across lighting (28), engine (21), and brakes (13), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.
122
NHTSA complaints
3
Recalls
4
Investigations
7
Crash-involved
2
Fires reported
3
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lighting | 28 | 23% | ▲ up |
| Engine | 21 | 17% | — flat |
| Brakes | 13 | 11% | — flat |
| Speed Control | 10 | 8% | — flat |
| Fuel System | 9 | 7% | ▲ up |
| Electrical System | 6 | 5% | ▼ down |
| Transmission | 5 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Seat Belts | 5 | 4% | ▼ down |
| Steering | 5 | 4% | — flat |
| Visibility & Wipers | 4 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Suspension | 4 | 3% | — flat |
| Body & Structure | 3 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Climate Control (A/C & Heat) | 3 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Tires & Wheels | 3 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Other | 2 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Seats | 1 | 1% | — flat |
3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FOG LIGHTS, IN WHICH THE HEADLIGHTS MAY GO OUT FOR VARIOUS INTERVALS AND WHICH MAY BE PRECEDED BY FLICKERING OR BLINKING AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING.
Consequence
DRIVER'S COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH WHICH INCORPORATES A CIRCUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN, AND INSTALL A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR, IF NEEDED.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WEST VIRGINIA. MOVEMENT OF THE FUEL LINES CAUSES THE NYLON FUEL LINE JUMPER TO CHAFE AGAINST THE FLOOR PAN. THIS WEAR CAN CAUSE A PIN HOLE IN THE FUEL LINE RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE.
Consequence
THIS FUEL LEAKAGE RESULTS IN DAMPNESS AND FUEL ODOR, AND IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD RESULT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PLASTIC CONVOLUTE COVERING AROUND THE FUEL LINES. IF THE LINES SHOW A LEAK, THE LINES WILL BE REPLACED FIRST.
Defect
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“RECALL 99V275000 CONCERNING HEADLIGHTS. THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FLICKER ON /OFF WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AT NIGHT, AND/OR INTERMITTENTLY WOULD GO OFF AND COME BACK ON WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. CONSUMER FOUND THIS RECALL NUMBER ON NHTSA WEBSITE, CALLED THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS…”
“HEAD GASKET BLEW ON MY COUGAR. UPSET THAT THIS IS A WIDESPOREAD ISSUE AND THAT FORD FAILS TO WARRANTY THIS CLEAR DEFECT. THE DEFECT RATE FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM IS MIND BOGGLING. THE FACT THAT FORD HAS 'CHRREY PICKED' WHICH YEARS / VEHICLES TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY IS ABSURD. THE PROBLEM IS RELATED…”
“OWNER STATES THAT ELECTRICAL CONTROL MODULE WENT OUT, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER; ALSO THE ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. *AK”
“TWICE THE GAS PETAL HAS GOTTEN STUCK AND THE CAR ACCELERATED TO HIGH SPEED WHICH CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT”
“CONSUMER SMELLED GAS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE CHASSIS, CAUSING WORN HOLES IN THE FUEL LINE. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CORRECTED. *AK”
NHTSA data argues against it: 122 complaints put the 1992 model at #7 of 37 Cougar years. It is one of the Cougar years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are lighting (28 complaints), engine (21 complaints), brakes (13 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1992 Mercury Cougar. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on 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 record among Cougar years belongs to 1981.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.