1993 Mercury Cougar: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1993 Mercury Cougar: 3 recalls, 195 owner complaints and up to 19 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. 4 mention a fire, 3 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (105): the most common themes are leaks (15), fire / smoke (13), overheating (9).
- Exterior lights (24): the most common themes are electrical failure (3), fire / smoke (2).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (20): the most common themes are noise or vibration (5).
- Fuel system (10): the most common themes are leaks (2), fire / smoke (2).
The 1993 Mercury Cougar has 195 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 13 Cougar model years for complaints (1.5× the average Cougar year). Complaints peaked in 2000 (50 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 114,664 miles. Neighboring years: 1992 (92 complaints, 3 recalls), 1994 (137 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 19 | 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 1993 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.
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FAQ
Does the 1993 Mercury Cougar have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 1993 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 1993 Mercury Cougar problems?
Owners have filed 195 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (105), exterior lights (24), brakes (hydraulic) (20).
What gas mileage does the 1993 Mercury Cougar get?
EPA ratings run up to 19 mpg combined (3.8 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1993 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.