Model year guide

1993 Mercury Cougar

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1993 Mercury Cougar is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1993 Mercury Cougar — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1993 Mercury Cougar at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints210
Combined18–19 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1993 Mercury Cougar recalls 3

Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch NHTSA Campaign #99V275000 · manufacturer #99S30 · 12/10/1999

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.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH WHICH INCORPORATES A CIRCUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN, AND INSTALL A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR, IF NEEDED.

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings NHTSA Campaign #97V159000 · manufacturer #97S84 · 22/09/1997

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. MOVEMENT OF THE FUEL LINES CAUSES THE NYLON FUEL LINE JUMPER TO CHAFE…

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PLASTIC CONVOLUTE COVERING AROUND THE FUEL LINES. IF THE LINES SHOW A LEAK, THE LINES WILL BE REPLACED FIRST.

Electrical System:ignition NHTSA Campaign #96V071000 · 25/04/1996

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1993 Mercury Cougar common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 210 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

1993 Mercury Cougar MPG & running costs

Combined18–19 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway23 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,625
EPA size classMidsize Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
Passenger volume102 cu ft
Cargo volume15 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$6,125 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1993 Mercury Cougar costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$18,125
Fuel only$18,125
Per mile$0.24

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
200.0 in
Width
72.8 in
Height
52.8 in
Wheelbase
113.0 in
Curb weight
3,801 lb

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1993 Mercury Cougar. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Canadian recalls 3

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1993 Mercury Cougar. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Electrical

On certain vehicles, the high electrical current flowing through the headlamp switch during simultaneous operation of the headlamps and fog lamps may cause the switches internal bimetal circuit breaker to open due to overheating. Should this occur, the vehicle's headlights may go out for brief intervals (flickering or blinking). Extended cycling of the circuit breaker due to co…

Transport Canada #1999193 · Oct 1999

Fuel System

MOVEMENT OF FUEL LINES, RESULTING FROM NORMAL VEHICLE BODY VIBRATIONS. CAUSES THE NYLON FUEL LINES TO WEAR BY RUBBING AGAINST THE METAL FLOOR PAN. THIS COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE WHICH, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. CORRECTION: FUEL LINES WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED AS NECESSARY. ALSO, A PLASTIC CONVOLUTE COVERING WILL BE INSTALLED AROUND T…

Transport Canada #1997193 · Nov 1997

Electrical

A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD DEVELOP IN THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE OR UNATTENDED. CORRECTION: IGNITION SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REVISED DESIGN SWITCH.

Transport Canada #1995212 · Nov 1995

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Mercury Cougar

The Mercury Cougar is a series of automobiles that was sold by Mercury from 1967 to 2002. The model line is a diverse series of vehicles; though the Cougar nameplate is most commonly associated with two-door coupes, at various stages in its production, the model also was offered as a convertible and a hatchback. During its production as the mid-size Mercury line, the Cougar was also offered as a four-door sedan and five-door station wagon.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1993 Mercury Cougar trims & engines on record

Trims
XR7
Engines
3.8L 6-cyl 140 hp

1993 Mercury Cougar vehicles on record

Other Mercury Cougar model years

1993 Mercury Cougar — frequently asked questions

Does the 1993 Mercury Cougar have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1993 Mercury Cougar. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1993 Mercury Cougar?

Across all 210 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, service brakes, hydraulic.

What gas mileage does the 1993 Mercury Cougar get?

The 1993 Mercury Cougar has U.S. EPA estimates of 18–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.