1993 Mercury Cougar: engine overheating

16 of the 195 complaints about the 1993 Mercury Cougar describe engine overheating.

owner complaints: 16
of this car's complaints: 8%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 12 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine overheating by model year

2000
3
1999
1
1997
7
1996
8
1995
2
1994
2
1993
16
1992
3
1991
2
1990
1

What owners say

Filed Jan 21, 2004 · Engine · 101,000 miles · WA

While driving engine check light came on, the engine overheated, and white smoke started coming out the exhaust pipe. The aluminum head gasket blew out. Dealership indicated this was a common problem with this size engine because the gasket wrapped.

Filed Sep 3, 2002 · Engine · AL

While driving vehicle started overheating, smoke /steam came from the tail pipe.had vehicle towed. Head gasket had blown out.

Filed Jan 16, 2002 · Engine · FL

Paid 3,200.00 for a used car followed my girlfriend home and noticed smoke coming from muffler and it had a sweet smell.the dealer told me the machanic said there was nothing wrong with the car when we baught it and the next day after we baught the car it was overheating so we called the dealer (larry)but he wasnt there and the guy I talked to said not to worry they'll fix it or replace it with another car but to call back and talk to larry first so we called the next day and he said he couldnt help us but offered to fix it but we had to pay for it.feeling we already got screwed by theese people we werent going to risk it. So we finaly took the car to another machanic and he said the car had a broken head gasket, and that the engine had to be replaced so now I paid him 850.00 for another engine and 550.00 for labor (so to make a long story short we were sold a car with a busted head gasket and were lied to.

Filed Jun 26, 2001 · Engine · LA

Driving at 60 MPH the engine overheated and shut down- brought to an independent mechanic and was told that both head gaskets had failed. Also told that it was a common problem with 3.8 ltr engines.

Filed May 22, 2001 · Engine · OH

Vehicle experienced a problem with loss of coolant, and 3.8l v6 engine overheated. Vehicle taken to an independent repair shop, and informed consumer of a head gasket failure,. Also manufacturer was notified, and informed consumer that vehicle was not covered under manufacturer's extended warranty. *ak

Filed May 16, 2001 · Engine · NE

While driving about 35 MPH engine started overheating. Then, had to park vehicle and refill water. Had taken vehicle to a mechanic, and mechanic said that engine head gasket had blownout.

Filed Feb 7, 2001 · Engine · IN

On february 5, 2001 after previously paying crossroads lincoln mercury dealer in indianapolis in january of 2000 $1140.82 for head gasket repair at 59039 miles, now my car with 62913 miles is back at the same dealer for another coolant leak. The dealer has confirmed it is the engine front cover gasket leaking. I discovered ford has recalled 1996 and 1997 cougars for this same problem but not 1993 cougars. Same story with the head gasket repair not being covered by ford's extended warranty on the 3.8l v-6 engines for 1993 owners. I am in the process of sending a letter to william ford at ford motor company along with the attorney general of indiana. I will be sending copies to your organization and the center for auto safety.

Filed Nov 21, 2000 · Brakes · NY

Grease on threads and self adjusting star gets full of brake dust, seizes up and refuses to turn, self adjusting arm breaks teeth off star, rear brake dont adjust causing car to stop with front brakes which overheat, brake fluid turns to gas by boiling and never returns to liquid so the front brakes rub and the brakes overheat, rear brakes changed yet problem continues. Nlm

Filed Oct 30, 2000 · Engine · MD

Vehicle was inspected by independent repair shop after vehicle was experiencing problem with engine missing/white smoke and coolant leakages. Informed of a head gasket failure. Dealer and manufacturer notified, and informed that vehicle was not involved in an extended warranty.

Filed Apr 26, 2000 · Engine · IL

Headgasket failed at 63000 miles causing the engine to overheat and act erratic and finally shut down

Filed Mar 15, 2000 · Electrical · FL

Intermittently headlights will become inoperable due to the circuit breaker overheating. A recall has been issued on the vehicle's make and model. However, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. Manufacturer has been notified. Driving on back country road--no warning lights. Just went out and started then flashing. Didn't do it again for a month.

Filed Jan 11, 1999 · Engine · MD

When driving at any speed vehicle overheats and stalls,vehicle dies out, and the temperature gauge light goes off. The engine check light keeps coming on. Dealer stated the problem was within the radiator, and the radiator was replaced. Vehicle has been in the shop twice, and the dealer can't determine the problem.