Model year record

1993 MERCURY Cougar

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 236 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V275000

Exterior lighting: headlights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
164,731
Reported to NHTSA
1999-10-12
Owners notified
1999-11-15

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

DRIVER'S COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH WHICH INCORPORATES A CIRCUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN, AND INSTALL A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR, IF NEEDED.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V159000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
125,000
Reported to NHTSA
1997-09-22
Owners notified
1997-10-27

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS FUEL LEAKAGE RESULTS IN DAMPNESS AND FUEL ODOR, AND IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD RESULT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PLASTIC CONVOLUTE COVERING AROUND THE FUEL LINES. IF THE LINES SHOW A LEAK, THE LINES WILL BE REPLACED FIRST.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V071000

Electrical system: ignition

Component
Electrical system: ignition
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
7,900,000
Reported to NHTSA
1996-04-25
Owners notified
1996-06-07

Defect description

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine88114,806 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline18105,850 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights1290,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor11
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system5
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly5
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch54,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings5115,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components5
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc5
Unknown or other5
Exterior lighting4150,000 mi
Structure: body: door4
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments4100,000 mi
Vehicle speed control484,799 mi
Engine and engine cooling3
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery3
Seat belts3
Air bags: frontal2
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe2101,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2
Seat belts: front: retractor2
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip2
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2
Suspension2
Suspension: front2
Tires2
Child seat: handle (infant)1
Electrical system1153,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition1
Electrical system: ignition: switch1
Electrical system: wiring1
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Exterior lighting: back up lights1
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch1
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1
Power train: automatic transmission1114,522 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1
Power train: manual transmission1
Seat belts: front1
Seat belts: front: anchorage1
Seat belts: front: warning light/devices1
Service brakes, air: antilock: wheel speed sensor1
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1
Visibility: power window devices and controls1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1
Wheels: hubcap/cover1

The 1992 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 1994 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.