1993 Mercury Cougar
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
Vehicles › Mercury › Cougar › 1993
These records cover every 1993 Mercury Cougar. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 1993 Mercury Cougar. Newest first.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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.…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition could cause overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column area of the vehicle.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
Owner complaints
195 complaints6 involved a crash4 involved a fire3 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Exterior lighting
Head light switch hard to apply head light flicker on and off.sometime will not come on at all.car was in motion,and stationary
- Exterior lighting
TL* the contact owns a 1993 mercury cougar. The contact stated that while at a stop, the headlights began to flicker without warning. The contact mentioned that the failure would recur sporadically. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the…
TL* the contact owns a 1993 mercury cougar. The contact stated that while at a stop, the headlights began to flicker without warning. The contact mentioned that the failure would recur sporadically. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign ID number: 99v275000 (exterior lighting). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000 and the current mileage was 160,000.
- Exterior lighting
TL* the contact owns a 1993 mercury cougar. While driving approximately 45 mph, the contact noticed that the headlights began to flicker. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics. The contact referenced nhtsa campaign ID number: 99v275000 (exterior lighting:headlights:switch) but was…
TL* the contact owns a 1993 mercury cougar. While driving approximately 45 mph, the contact noticed that the headlights began to flicker. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics. The contact referenced nhtsa campaign ID number: 99v275000 (exterior lighting:headlights:switch) but was advised by the dealer that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 164,431.
- Seat belts
Tl*the contact owns a 1993 mercury cougar. a month after purchasing the vehicle in june of 2008, the electronic seat belt shoulder strap would not retract after the driver's side door was closed. the vehicle was driven to a local repair shop and the mechanic stated that the tracking was off and the seat belt was defective. the manufacturer was not notified. the current and failure mileages were unavailable.
- Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
Tl*the contact owns a 1993 mercury cougar. while driving 75 mph, the instrument panel lights and the headlights dimmed. the contact also noticed smoke rising from the dashboard. the dealer stated that the vehicle needed a new headlight switch and they made the repair. approximately one year…
Tl*the contact owns a 1993 mercury cougar. while driving 75 mph, the instrument panel lights and the headlights dimmed. the contact also noticed smoke rising from the dashboard. the dealer stated that the vehicle needed a new headlight switch and they made the repair. approximately one year later, the failure recurred. the dealer stated that his vin was not included in nhtsa campaign ID number 99v275000 (exterior lighting:headlights:switch). the failure mileage was 4,000 and current mileage was 189,000.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
TL*- the contact stated that on march 14, 2007 she began to smell fumes in the 1993 mercury cougar. the vehicle was taken to a dealer, who discovered that there was recall 97v159000 concerning the fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings on this particular year, make…
TL*- the contact stated that on march 14, 2007 she began to smell fumes in the 1993 mercury cougar. the vehicle was taken to a dealer, who discovered that there was recall 97v159000 concerning the fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings on this particular year, make and model, but the contacts vehicle was not included. *ak the consumer has provided an invoice for repair. Updated 05/04/07*tr
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
Lights periodically stopped working eliminating visibility. *Jb
- Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
I was driving home going down a country road and my headlights quit working. I almost wrecked,and I almost lost control of my vehicle. I ended up driving it home with nothing but parking lights on which was a good half hour journey. *nm
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Dt: the contact stated there was nhtsa recall 97v159000 concerning the fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. the contact had recall repairs performed in december 1997. the vehicle started experiencing the same problems as indicated in the recall. she had the…
Dt: the contact stated there was nhtsa recall 97v159000 concerning the fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. the contact had recall repairs performed in december 1997. the vehicle started experiencing the same problems as indicated in the recall. she had the vehicle repaired by a local service dealer. since recall repairs had already been performed the manufacturer could not offer any additional assistance. *Ak updayed 11/29/2005 - *nm
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
While driving down the road, at night headlights flickered off and on. Consumer contacted the dealer and the manufacturer. consumer was told that this defect was not an open recall. Previous replacement of the headlights were undetermined by the manufacturer. *ak the consumer was told that his vehicle being old IS to blame for failure. the consumer had the headlight switch replaced. *tc
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
1993 3.8 l blew a head gasket at 97K. $1200 out of my pocket. I don't even make that much a month. I will never by a ford again. *jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
1993 cougar head gasket blew again . *ak
- Vehicle speed control
Odometer became inoperative after 84,799 miles, speedometer still operates. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
While driving engine check light came on, the engine overheated, and white smoke started coming out the exhaust pipe. The aluminum head gasket blew out. dealership indicated this was a common problem with this size engine because the gasket wrapped. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
My 1993 mercury cougar XR7 has blown a head gasket twice (one at 80,000 miles and another at 120,000 miles.) and after searching the internet endlessly I have found many people like myself that had the same problem on the same make and model of vehicle. This IS an outrage to myself and many other owners of this type of vehicle and I hope that you can do something to try and correct this problem. *la
- Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
The passenger side door hinges has a failure, that results in the door being inoperative(makes it difficult to close).*ak
- Electrical system
While driving the headlights cut off or became dim. *nlm *tt
- Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
Head lights flicker off and on. I had to play with the headlight switch to finally get them back on. At first the instrument cluster would not come on, but barely pulled on switch and they came on. Pulled dash apart and noticed the switch bracket was melted a little and a (brown and gray?) wire was scorched, melted, frayed.*jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Head gasket blew @ 114,000 miles on 93 mercury cougar 3.8 V-6 engine. two repair shops have stated "everybody" in vehicle repair business knows the 3.8 engine has gasket problem to the point the gaskets blow in one of two places. I am original owner of car and it has never been abused. understand there was a recall on some 3.8 ford engines, but not the '93 engine. *nlm
- Structure › Body › Door
The driver's door became stuck.*jb....*ak
- Seat belts › Front · Structure › Body › Door
The driver's seat belt failed to unlock. *jb the auto shoulder belt did not move and interrupts the ability to maneuver the steering wheel. the driver door molding did would not stay in place. the driver door has to be pulled up in order to shut. scc
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Consumer states it IS hard to start the vehicle and it takes numerous tries before the vehicle will start. Dealer notified.*jb
- Power train › Automatic transmission
While stopped at a stop sign, the vehicle would still accelerate. ts *jg
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
Consumer states of having problems with exhaust system. Dealer was contacted. ts
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
Consumer states of having problems with the thermostat. Dealer was contacted. ts
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Headlight switch
Subject vehicles have a headlight switch with an internal, bimetal circuit breaker that can open due to overheating during headling operation.
- Fuel line jumper
To determine the scope of the alleged fuel line failures outside of the recall geographic region and if the recall should be expanded nationally
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10013060Climate control a/c service tech tips.
- 10008580Lamp-brake-invadvertent disabling of brake shift interlock.
- 10004027Remote keyless entry (rke) - service tips.
- 10003748New transmission cooler flusher - service tips. 2003 escort and super duty f series included.
- 6090087Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems.
- 6090082Information for servicing and diagnosing brake vibration, brake inspection, and brake friction material replacement.
- 6089681Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses.
- 3030300Unknown
- 630001Some engine assemblies with aluminum cylinder heads repaired in-vehile have been found to leak coolant and/or oil from the cylinder head gasket area.
- 625715Brake shift interlock.*jb
- 623988Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *Slc
- 623944Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *Slc
- 618546Subject regarding climate control - eatc - blower motor control service tips.
- 616522Subject regarding contamination from prior transmission concerns or excess wear may be trapped in the transmission fluid cooling system.
- 615466Some vehicles may require headlamp switch (11654) replacement during a normal service visit.
- 615362Some vehicles may require headlamp switch (11654) replacement during a normal service visit. Engineering IS investigating.
- 613261Some vehicles with non-functional windshield wipers may require wiper motor replacement.
- 613082Some vehicles with non-functional windshield wipers may require wiper motor replacement. *Mjs
- 612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *Mjs
- 608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda.
- 606508Conditions with the brake lamps inadvertently disabling the brake shift interlock.
- 606460Experiencing a whine / buzz type noise in the speakers of the entertainment radio or two-way radio on vehicles with an in-tank electric fuel pump.
- 606420Ford motor company now recommends sae 5W-30 viscosity grade for servicing any ford gasoline-powered vehicle regardless of model year.
- 605562Subject regarding the availability of hub-mount brake rotor machining equipment.
- 603724Mass air flow (maf)- sensor contamination- service tip.
- 603695Experiencing a " buzzing " or " rattling " noise from the exhaust system.
- 601343A new silicone gasket and sealant.
- 601341Experiencing a whining / buzzing noise in the speakers of the entertainment radio or two-way radio.
- 601312Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system.
- 601290Information on tire company telephone numbers for customer assistance.
- 601269Announcing the ford oem air conditioning retrofit kit availability.
- 601264Availability of hub-mount brake rotor machining equipment.
- 601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart.
- 601018Some vehicles may exhibit brake roughness (brake pedal pulsation, steering wheel shake and / or nibble) under light brake applications from 105 to 0 km/h (65 to 0 mph).
- 601012The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable.
- 601009Service tip information regarding elimination of sanding rotors and drums.
- 601004Some vehicles may cycle when brakes are applied on rough roads or on an incline while making a sharp turn.
- 601003Hub-mount brake rotor machining equipment from rotunda IS now approved for warranty and service use.
- 54070Some vehicles may experience static in the am band of the radio while driving.
- 53660Vehicles exhibiting a "squeaking" or "chirping" from the blower motor at low blower motor speeds.
Every Mercury Cougar model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.