1996 Mercury Cougar Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 6%of 62 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,550miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1996 Mercury Cougar, 6% of the 62 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,550 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“Headlight switch has shorted out many times. Local delarship knows the problem and I have had it replaced by a local shop three times. Fod had checked for electrical shorts and said they were all fine. Automatic transmision went out because the filter wasnt getting enough fluid because the filter wasnt close enough to the bottom of the fan 96 Cougar 41,000 original miles”
NHTSA complaint #10057124, filed 2004-02, 40,550 miles“Transmission problem existed but I didn't recognize shudder . Dealer reccommended additive to transmission. Fluid just after I purchased car (new). Now shudder is so bad I have to get transmission work.”
NHTSA complaint #725401, filed 2000-07“While driving and attempting to accelerate the vehicle would shut down and transmission would quit pulling. Then without any warning it would repair itself, but would jerk in the process. Dealer and manufacturer have been notified.”
NHTSA complaint #829540, filed 1999-01Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 10 | 11% |
| 2001 | 10 | 12% |
| 2000 | 9 | 4% |
| 1999 | 50 | 11% |
| 1997 | 10 | 13% |
| 1996 | 4 | 6% |
| 1995 | 23 | 21% |
| 1994 | 36 | 26% |
| 1993 | 3 | 2% |
| 1992 | 4 | 4% |
| 1991 | 1 | 1% |
| 1990 | 2 | 2% |
| 1989 | 6 | 7% |
| 1987 | 2 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1996 Mercury Cougar
21 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsTires
4 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 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