1992 Mercury Cougar: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1992 Mercury Cougar: 3 recalls, 92 owner complaints and up to 20 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Electrical Vehicle recall #96V071000 · 1996 · 7,900,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
Why it matters: This condition could cause overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column area of the vehicle.
The fix: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #97V159000 · 1997 · 125,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: This fuel leakage results in dampness and fuel odor, and if an ignition source was present, a fire could result.
The fix: Dealers will install a plastic convolute covering around the fuel lines. If the lines show a leak, the lines will be replaced first.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #99V275000 · 1999 · 164,731 vehicles
What's wrong:
Why it matters: Driver's could experience a loss of visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install a headlight switch which incorporates a circuit breaker of revised design, and install a wiring harness connector, if needed.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Exterior lights (27): the most common themes are electrical failure (3).
- Engine & cooling (18): the most common themes are leaks (5), fire / smoke (2), overheating (2).
- Speed control / throttle (8): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Brakes (hydraulic) (7): the most common themes are noise or vibration (3).
The 1992 Mercury Cougar has 92 owner complaints, ranking #7 of 13 Cougar model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 129). Complaints peaked in 1999 (13 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 95,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1991 (73 complaints, 3 recalls), 1993 (195 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | Regular |
| 5.0 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 18 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1992 Mercury Cougar.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1992 Mercury Cougar have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 1992 Mercury Cougar. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1992 Mercury Cougar problems?
Owners have filed 92 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are exterior lights (27), engine & cooling (18), speed control / throttle (8).
What gas mileage does the 1992 Mercury Cougar get?
EPA ratings run up to 20 mpg combined (3.8 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1992 Mercury Cougar repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.