1997 Mercury Cougar Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 13%of 76 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 156,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Mercury Cougar, 13% of the 76 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 156,000 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.
“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 vehicles were covered and not civilian vehicles. I wonder if there is any chance for me to seek a dealership and get reimbursed for these damages.”
NHTSA complaint #10521303, filed 2013-06, 156,000 miles“There is a leakage within the fuel injection system. Whenever consumer put gas into the vehicle, the gas leaks out, and the consumer can smell gas in vehicle. Vehicle has been in repair shop three times for the fuel injection. Also consumer had transmission in repair shop four times. Vehicle is still in repair shop for fuel injection problems, and dealer can't determine the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #839002, filed 1999-06“On 7/29/2003 while fueling t gas was leaking under the vehicle. Owner looked under the vehicle and found three holes in the fuel line. Owner stated that driveshaft was rubbing on the fuel line which caused the holes.”
NHTSA complaint #10031533, filed 2003-07“While driving, transmission intermittently failed to shift. When vehicle is put into gear, the vehicle will not accelerate. The vehicle will not move anywhere. Service manger told consumer that ford used bad clutch packs and clutch pack cylinders in the 1997 transmissions.”
NHTSA complaint #819990, filed 1997-12“When traveling the transmission does not shift into gear. Also, there is vibration in the front end. Consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer has yet to replace parts. Please provide any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #847454, filed 1999-09Related service bulletins
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10013369Nov 1, 2004General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures.
Transmission 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 1997 Mercury Cougar
30 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsElectrical system
4 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 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