Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 236 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 78.7 times the median Cougar year — the 1993 model ranks #3 of 37 Cougar years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.
The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 53% of all reports (124 of 236), far ahead of brakes at 25.
236
NHTSA complaints
3
Recalls
2
Investigations
7
Crash-involved
5
Fires reported
4
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 124 | 53% | ▲ up |
| Brakes | 25 | 11% | ▲ up |
| Lighting | 24 | 10% | — flat |
| Fuel System | 10 | 4% | — flat |
| Body & Structure | 8 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Electrical System | 8 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Seat Belts | 8 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Other | 5 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Suspension | 4 | 2% | — flat |
| Speed Control | 4 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Tires & Wheels | 3 | 1% | — flat |
| Steering | 3 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Transmission | 3 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Visibility & Wipers | 2 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Climate Control (A/C & Heat) | 2 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Airbags | 2 | 1% | ▲ up |
| Child Seat | 1 | 0% | new |
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.
“CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE LIKE IT WAS MISSING. WHITE/GREY SMOKE CAME OUT TAIL PIPE IN LARGE QUANITY. WITH IN A MILE, THE TEMP GUAGE BEGAN MOVING UP TOWARD HOT. I REALIZED SOMETHING WAS VERY WRONG AND STOPPED VEHICLE AND SHUT DOWN ENGINE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR FACILITY. AT THIS POINT IN TIME, THE…”
“WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, BRAKE'S WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD. ALSO, PCV VALVE WENT OUT, AND TRANSMISSION OVERFLOWED WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO GET ONTO TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE. CONSUMER HAD THE ENGINE REBUILT, AND TWO WATER PUMPS WERE REPLACED. ENGINE CHECK…”
“HEADLIGHTS STARTED FLASHING, AND BLINKING, AFTER A FEW MILES OF DRIVING. WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A COUNTRY ROAD, THIS FLASHING ATTRACTED A DEER ONTO THE ROAD, WHICH CAUSED SOME BODY DAMAGE TO MY CAR. THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. MY CAR DOES NOT HAVE FOGLIGHTS, SO IT DID NOT QUALIFY FOR…”
“YOUR SITE SAYS THERE ARE 3 RECALLS ON MY CAR BUT FORD SAYS THERE ARE NONE ON MY CAR BUT I KNOW THERES AT LEAST ONE BECAUS I HAD IT FIXED BYE THEM (THE FULE LINE RECALL I HAD FIXED BYE THEM ) THAY CLAME THE OUTHER 2 RECALLS DONT APPLIY TO MY CAR IS THIS TRUE OR ARE THAY HIDDING SOMETHING OR JUST…”
“WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED ON AND OFF, CONSUMER HAD TO WIGGLE THE SWITCH TO MAKE THE LIGHTS COME BACK ON, AND SOMETIMES IT DID NOT WORK, LOST ALL LIGHTS, AND SMELLED WIRES BURNING. CONTACTED DEALER *AKTHE SWITCH WAS REPLACED BUT THAT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, THE WIRING HARNESS HAD TO BE…”
NHTSA data argues against it: 236 complaints put the 1993 model at #3 of 37 Cougar years. It is one of the Cougar years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (124 complaints), brakes (25 complaints), lighting (24 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1993 Mercury Cougar. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 2 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.