1991 Mercury Cougar Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 11%of 73 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 64,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1991 Mercury Cougar, 11% of the 73 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Headlights go out for various intervals and is preceded by flickering and/or blinking which causes loss of visibility which increases my risk of a crash. Also note a burning smell from vents when this happens. My vehicle is a 1991 Cougar and I went online to see if there was a recall for this problem. Noted recall for same problem on 1992 and 1993 models not for 1991. Called ford motor company and asked if there was a recall for my model since it has the same issue as 1992 and 1993 cougars. Was told no recall for this and to pay to get it fix myself. …”
NHTSA complaint #10255020, filed 2009-01, 64,000 miles“While driving on highway headlights started to dim , and went totally out. Pulled off the side of road. They came back on after waiting 10 minutes. Drove about another ten miles, it happened again.”
NHTSA complaint #855817, filed 2000-01“Driving at any various speed headlights will turn off and on, causing the consumer to drive sometimes without headlight unexpectedly,which may result in an accident.dealer has replaced headlights 4 times, but defect is still occurring.”
NHTSA complaint #820061, filed 1997-12“After driving for 25 minutes the headlignts start flashing on and off. The bulbs and fuses are good. I have descovered that the Mercury sable has the same problem and had a recall for a failed headlight switch which incorporates a circuit breaker. When the headlights heat up the circuit opens. Recall was made april 15, 1998 for sables made dec. 1992 to sept. 1993. Nhtsa campaign id number 98v009000. All vehicles with same problem and risk of a crash should be repaired in the same manner.”
NHTSA complaint #700484, filed 1998-11Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 2 | 2% |
| 2001 | 2 | 2% |
| 2000 | 8 | 4% |
| 1999 | 34 | 7% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1996 | 1 | 2% |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% |
| 1994 | 3 | 2% |
| 1993 | 24 | 12% |
| 1992 | 27 | 29% |
| 1991 | 8 | 11% |
| 1990 | 5 | 6% |
| 1989 | 3 | 4% |
| 1988 | 3 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1991 Mercury Cougar
17 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsSeat belts
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1991 Mercury Cougar
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology