Model year guide

1997 Mercury cougar

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1997 Mercury cougar is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1997 Mercury cougar — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1997 Mercury cougar at a glance

Owner complaints103
Combined18–19 mpg

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

1997 Mercury cougar common problems

Owners have filed 103 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — 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.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
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.

1997 Mercury cougar MPG & running costs

Combined18–19 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway24 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 1997 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.

1997 Mercury cougar trims & engines on record

Engines
4.6L 8-cyl 190 hp

1997 Mercury cougar vehicles on record

1997 Mercury cougar 1997 Mercury cougar1MELM62WXVH628340

Other Mercury cougar model years

2002 2001 2000 1999 1996 1995 1993

1997 Mercury cougar — frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Mercury cougar?

Owners have filed 103 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, electrical system, power train.

What gas mileage does the 1997 Mercury cougar get?

The 1997 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.