1991 Mercury Cougar

The 1991 Mercury Cougar is a personal luxury coupe that was available with a variety of engine and transmission options. The base engine was a 3.8L V6 that produced 140 horsepower and 215 lb-ft of torque. The optional engines were a 4.6L V8 that produced 225 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque, and a supercharged 4.6L V8 that produced 235 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque. The available transmissions were a 5-speed manual, a 4-speed automatic, and a 5-speed automatic.

People like the Cougar for its stylish design, comfortable interior, and powerful engines. However, the car has also been known to have some reliability issues.

Engine

• 3.8L V6
  • Blown head gasket
    • Description/Symptoms: Coolant leaking from the head gasket, overheating engine, white smoke from exhaust
    • Solution: Replace head gasket
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,000 - $2,000+
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Intake manifold gasket failure
    • Description/Symptoms: Coolant or oil leaking from intake manifold, engine overheating, rough idle
    • Solution: Replace intake manifold gasket
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000
    • Recalls: None Found
• 4.6L V8
  • Timing chain failure
    • Description/Symptoms: Engine rattling or ticking noise, loss of power, check engine light
    • Solution: Replace timing chain and gears
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,500 - $2,500+
    • Recalls: None Found
• Supercharged 4.6L V8
  • Supercharger failure
    • Description/Symptoms: Whining or grinding noise from supercharger, loss of boost, check engine light
    • Solution: Replace supercharger
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $2,000 - $3,000+
    • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

• 5-speed manual
  • Transmission fluid leak
    • Description/Symptoms: Transmission fluid leaking from transmission case or seals, difficulty shifting gears
    • Solution: Replace transmission fluid seals
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $500
    • Recalls: None Found
• 4-speed automatic
  • Torque converter failure
    • Description/Symptoms: Transmission slipping or shuddering, loss of power, check engine light
    • Solution: Replace torque converter
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,000 - $2,000
    • Recalls: None Found
• 5-speed automatic
  • Valve body failure
    • Description/Symptoms: Transmission slipping or shifting erratically, check engine light
    • Solution: Replace valve body
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000
    • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

• Front strut failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Clunking or rattling noise from front suspension, uneven tire wear
  • Solution: Replace front struts
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000
  • Recalls: None Found
• Rear shock failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Bouncing or floating ride, uneven tire wear
  • Solution: Replace rear shocks
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $500
  • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

• Battery failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Car won’t start, dim headlights, electrical problems
  • Solution: Replace battery
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $200
  • Recalls: None Found
• Alternator failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Car won’t start, dim headlights, electrical problems
  • Solution: Replace alternator
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000
  • Recalls: None Found
• Starter failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Car won’t start, clicking noise from starter
  • Solution: Replace starter
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $500
  • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• Door handle failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Door handle breaks or becomes loose
  • Solution: Replace door handle
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $400
  • Recalls: None Found
• Window regulator failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Window won’t go up or down, window rattles or makes noise
  • Solution: Replace window regulator
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $500
  • Recalls: None Found

Interior

• Seat belt failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Seat belt won’t retract or lock, frayed or damaged seat belt
  • Solution: Replace seat belt
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $400
  • Recalls: None Found
• Dashboard cracking
  • Description/Symptoms: Dashboard develops cracks or splits
  • Solution: Replace dashboard
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000
  • Recalls: None Found

Summary

The 1991 Mercury Cougar is a stylish and powerful car, but it has also been known to have some reliability issues. The most common problems are related to the engine, transmission, and suspension. The severity of the issues can vary, and the cost to fix them can be expensive.