1997 Mercury Cougar Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 5%of 76 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Mercury Cougar, 5% of the 76 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles. 2 a fire, 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.
“I parked our 1997 Cougar in the driveway around 5:00p.m. On 07/15/05. I have not been having any problems with the car. About 1:00a.m. On 07/16/05, we were awaken by neighbors who had spotted the car on fire. The firemen said it appeared to be an electrical problem starting on the right side. Since it was totally burned, we don't know how to find out what happened. I e-mailed the ford corporate & filled out the information including the VIN asking about a recall, but I have not received anything from them except the acknowledgement of receiving my e-mail.”
NHTSA complaint #10129641, filed 2005-07, 75,000 miles“While vehicle parked for 15 min,utes a fire started under the hood. The vehicle was totaled. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10115734, filed 2005-04, 97,000 milesElectrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 4 | 4% |
| 2001 | 12 | 15% |
| 2000 | 63 | 30% |
| 1999 | 99 | 22% |
| 1997 | 4 | 5% |
| 1996 | 3 | 5% |
| 1995 | 5 | 5% |
| 1994 | 6 | 4% |
| 1993 | 8 | 4% |
| 1992 | 5 | 5% |
| 1991 | 11 | 15% |
| 1990 | 19 | 22% |
| 1989 | 12 | 15% |
| 1988 | 12 | 22% |
| 1987 | 13 | 39% |
| 1986 | 4 | 31% |
| 1985 | 6 | 60% |
| 1984 | 7 | 41% |
Other parts of the 1997 Mercury Cougar
30 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsTires
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Mercury Cougar
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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