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Research · Midsize Cars

1997 Mercury CougarRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 79 owner complaints for the 1997 Mercury Cougar. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (30) and service brakes, hydraulic (9). The EPA rates it 18–19 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
18–19mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
79
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$3,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 1997 Mercury Cougar as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

79 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 1997 – Jun 2013
  1. Engine and engine cooling30
  2. Service brakes, hydraulic9
  3. Power train8
  4. Fuel system, gasoline7
  5. Suspension6
  6. Electrical system4
  7. Tires4
  8. Visibility3
  9. Seat belts3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Cougar model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199667
199779
1999454
2000211
200182
2002111
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

30 reports
“MY VEHICLES BECAME TOTALLY DISABLED ON A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY WITH HEAVY AFTER HOURS RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE MANIFOLD WHICH IS MADE OF PLASTIC BROKE WERE THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR WAS BUILT IN, I ALSO NOTICED THAT A FEW SPARKPLUGS WERE FLOODED WITH COOLANT. I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A LAWSUIT ON THESE VEHICLES BUT NO ONE KNEW ABOUT IT AND ONLY FLEET VEHICLES WERE COVERED AND NOT CIVILIAN VEHICLES. I WONDER IF THERE IS ANY CHANCE FOR ME TO SEEK A DEALERSHIP AND GET REIMBURSED FOR THESE DAMAGES. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 23, 2013Engine and engine cooling, Power trainODI 10521303

Service brakes, hydraulic

9 reports1 crash
“WE HAVE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH THIS VEHICLE. ONE OF WHICH IS THE BRAKES. ANOTHER IS THE COOLING SYSTEM. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE MANIFOLD BUT OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER WLLL NOT REPLACE EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE ASKED THEM TO DO SO. IN ADDITION THE ENGINE HAD A PROBLEM WHICH NO ONE COULD FIGURE OUT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 7, 2003Service brakes, hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, gasolineODI 10000759

Power train

8 reports
“ON 7/29/2003 WHILE FUELING T GAS WAS LEAKING UNDER THE VEHICLE. OWNER LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THREE HOLES IN THE FUEL LINE. OWNER STATED THAT DRIVESHAFT WAS RUBBING ON THE FUEL LINE WHICH CAUSED THE HOLES. *AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 30, 2003Fuel system, gasoline, Power trainODI 10031533
All 1997 Cougar problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
3.8L 6-cyl · 4.6L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Cougar
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162419$3,300468
Cougar
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152318$3,450494
  • Cougar
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    16 city · 24 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Cougar
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    15 city · 23 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1997 Mercury Cougar as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 3669
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1997 Cougar questions

How many recalls does the 1997 Mercury Cougar have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 10, 2026.

What are the most common 1997 Mercury Cougar problems?

Owners filed 79 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (30), service brakes, hydraulic (9), power train (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1997 Mercury Cougar get?

The EPA rates the 1997 Mercury Cougar at 18–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026