1997 Mercury cougar
1MELM62WXVH628340
Vehicle history report for the 1997 Mercury cougar (VIN 1MELM62WXVH628340). White, sedan/saloon, 4.6L 8-cyl 190 hp, gasoline. Title: Clean. 104,733 mi reported. Registered in In. No open recalls. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
Full vehicle history report
What a full report checks for VIN 1MELM62WXVH628340
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recalls None found
No open NHTSA recall campaigns were found for this 1997 mercury cougar.
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Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 103 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Mercury cougar, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
🔥 1 involved a fire
🔍 Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
🔍 Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
🔍 Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
🔍 Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
🔍 Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 103
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 1997 Mercury cougar.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
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 VEHIC…
NHTSA ODI #10521303ENGINE
ON 5/19/2004 I HAD TO HAVE TOWED AND REPLACE DEFECTIVE CRACKED PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD ON A 1997 MERCURY XR7 COUGAR AND HADN'T BEEN PREVIOUSLY INFORMED OF ANY RECALLS THEN RECENTLY I HAD TO REPLACE YET ANOTHER DEFECTIVE MANIFOLD (2ND CAR ) THIS SHOP INFORMED ME OF A CLASS ACTION THAT I SHOULD HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF PREVIOUSLY THAT SHOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF T…
NHTSA ODI #10486065FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL WAS NOTED LEAKING FROM FUEL LINES JUST AFT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, FUEL WAS SEEM RUNNING DOWN THE FUEL LINES AND SIDE OF FUEL TANK. LEAK WAS CAUSED BY FUEL LINES CHAFFING THROUGH ON TOP OF TANK. CAR HAD 51,000 MILES ON IT. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10411712ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION SUIT DUE TO A FAULTY INTAKE MANIFOLD ON MANY FORD CARS WITH A 4.6 LITER ENGINE. I OR MY KIDS HAVE OWNED A 1997 MERCURY COUGAR SINCE NEW. RECENTLY THIS CAR WHICH HAD BEEN IN STORAGE FOR SEVERAL YEARS WAS GIVEN TO MY SON WHO IS LAID OFF AND ATTEMPTING TO COMPLETE HIS BACHELORS DEGREE. I SPENT MONEY TO REPAIR SENSOR, FRE…
NHTSA ODI #10303349ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACK AND ANTI-FREEZE SPILLING OUT AND A LOT OF STEAM SMOKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING,CAR IN SHOP NOW A IT WILL COST ME $600.00 TO FIX. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10214703ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IGNITION FAILED TO TURN WITH KEY. PUT LUBRICANT (WD-40) IN HOLE AND TAPPED WITH HAMMER UNTIL KEY TURNED.
NHTSA ODI #10185275EXTERIOR LIGHTING
FORD HEADLIGHTS: CLOUDY LENSES: FORD MADE AUTOS HAVE PLASTIC LENSES/HEADLIGHTS THAT CLOUD UP OVER TIME, WITHIN 5 YEARS TO 10 YEARS, THAT LIMIT EFFECTIVENESS OF THE HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT. I PERSONALLY HAVE HIT CURBS AND NARROWLY MISSED PEDESTRIANS ETC DUE TO INABILITY TO SEE THEM AT NIGHT DUE TO LOW HEADLIGHT BRIGHTNESS. THE FORD/MERCURY DEALER INFORMS M…
NHTSA ODI #10183370ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT
I HAVE A 1997 COUGAR XR7 WITH A 4.6 LITER V8. AROUND JULY 1, 2001, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON THE CAR CRACKED CAUSING IT TO OVERHEAT. I HAD THE CAR FIXED, NOT KNOWING THERE WAS A RECALL ON THESE INTAKE MANIFOLDS. IN MARCH OF 2004, I FOUND THE RECALL LETTER SENT TO ME BY LINCOLN MERCURY. I CONTACTED THE SERVICE MANAGER, TIM COATS, AT WHAT WAS THEN RUSTON FOR…
NHTSA ODI #10158037+ 95 more complaints on record.
