1962 Mercury Cougar problems

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The Mercury Cougar is a series of automobiles that was sold by Mercury from 1967 to 2002. The model line is a diverse series of vehicles; though the Cougar nameplate is most commonly associated with two-door coupes, at various stages in its production, the model also was offered as a convertible and a hatchback. During its production as the mid-size Mercury line, the Cougar was also offered as a four-door sedan and five-door station wagon.

In production for 34 years across eight generations (skipping the 1998 model year), the Cougar is second only to the Grand Marquis (36 years) in the Mercury line for production longevity. 2,972,784 examples were produced, making it the highest-selling Mercury vehicle. During the 1970s and 1980s, the marketing of the Mercury division was closely associated with the Cougar, with promotional materials advertising Mercury dealers as "The Sign of the Cat" with big cats atop Lincoln-Mercury dealer signs. Cat-related nameplates were adopted by other Mercury lines, including the Bobcat and Lynx.

During its production, the Cougar was assembled at the Dearborn Assembly Plant (part of the Ford River Rouge Complex) in Dearborn, Michigan from 1967 until 1973, San Jose Assembly (Milpitas, California) from 1968 into early 1969, Lorain Assembly (Lorain, Ohio) from 1974 until 1997, and at Flat Rock Assembly (Flat Rock, Michigan) from 1999 through 2002.

1962 Mercury Cougar

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Common 1962 Mercury Cougar problems

Based on the information provided in the sources, here are some common problems with the Mercury Cougar 1962 based on complaints from owners:

  1. Suspension and Brakes Issues:
    • Cougar suspension can develop creaks and groans over time, similar to many Ford front ends. This can affect the car's handling and comfort.
    • Power steering wear can reduce accuracy, impacting the driving experience.
    • Excessively wide tires may rub against the inner mudguards on full lock, potentially causing damage.
    • While most cars in the market have disc brakes, converting drum-braked cars to disc brakes is recommended for better stopping power.
  2. Interior and Electrical Problems:
    • Cougars delivered with power windows, seat adjusters, air conditioning, or power tops may face issues with these features over time.
    • Owners have reported problems with window movement, noise, or shuddering, which can affect the overall comfort and convenience of the car.
    • The power-operated top should operate smoothly without issues to ensure a hassle-free driving experience.
    • Some owners have faced challenges with the sequential rear indicators, which may not comply with all legal requirements, leading to potential issues during inspections.
  3. Engine and Performance Concerns:
    • While the Cougar is known for its performance, some owners have reported issues with the engine, particularly with older models.
    • Maintenance of the V8 engines, especially the larger ones like the 6.4-liter and 7.0-liter variants, may require more attention and care to ensure optimal performance.
    • Owners of high-performance models like the GT or Eliminator versions may face specific challenges related to engine tuning, transmission, and overall power delivery.
  4. Parts Availability and Restoration Challenges:
    • Finding specific parts for the Mercury Cougar 1962, especially for restoration projects, can be a challenge due to the age of the vehicle.
    • Restoring original features like seat trim, dash panels, and instruments may require sourcing parts from specialized suppliers, which can be costly.
    • Owners looking to maintain the authenticity of their Cougar may face difficulties in finding original or high-quality replacement parts, impacting the restoration process.

By addressing these common problems faced by owners of the Mercury Cougar 1962, enthusiasts and potential buyers can be better informed about the potential challenges associated with owning and maintaining this classic car.

1962 Mercury Cougar engine

What year Cougar is the most desirable?

And you'll have a luxury sports car. . . . With all of the flair of the finest European sports touring machines, Cougar for 1971 is more desirable than ever. It's dramatically new from bumper to bumper — longer, lower, wider with an increased tread for road-gripping stability.”

Was the Mercury Cougar a muscle car?

For its first two generations, the Cougar was derived from the Ford Mustang. Initially serving as a pony car, the popularity of the Cougar led it to replace the Cyclone muscle car in the Mercury model line. The second generation moved its market position closer to the personal luxury car segment.

What engine did the Mercury Cougar have?

The 67 cougar shared most of its engine lineup with the Mustang. However Mercury solely offered V8 engines. Standard was the 200 horsepower 289 cubic inch two barrel carbureted V8 options included a

What was the car in the Yum Yum tree?

1962 Ford Cougar 406 concept car

The red sports car Hogan drives is a 1962 Ford Cougar 406 concept car. It was introduced at the 1962 Chicago Auto Show. According to movie magazines of the day, Natalie Wood, Ann-Margret, Stella Stevens, and Sandra Dee reportedly vied for the role played by Carol Lynley.

Was the Mercury Cougar a muscle car?

For its first two generations, the Cougar was derived from the Ford Mustang. Initially serving as a pony car, the popularity of the Cougar led it to replace the Cyclone muscle car in the Mercury model line. The second generation moved its market position closer to the personal luxury car segment.

Are Mercury cougars fast?

The Mercury Cougar is a rear-wheel drive vehicle with manual and automatic transmission options. The 1967 Mercury Cougar is fast and is pretty much on par with the speeds of the Ford Mustang. The car accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 7.0 seconds.

What engine did the Mercury Cougar have?

The 67 cougar shared most of its engine lineup with the Mustang. However Mercury solely offered V8 engines. Standard was the 200 horsepower 289 cubic inch two barrel carbureted V8 options included a

Is Mercury Cougar the same as Ford?

The Ford Cougar is a D-segment coupé that was produced and sold in the European market between 1998 and 2002, and sold in Canada and the United States from 1999 until 2002 as the Mercury Cougar.

1962 Mercury Cougar car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Mercury Cougar problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Engine and engine cooling problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1962 Mercury Cougar vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1962 Mercury Cougar complaints

The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1962 Mercury Cougar.

2000-06-20

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE RESULTED IN A COMPLETE ENGINE OVERHAUL.*ET
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Additional sources

More sources of information about 1962 Mercury Cougar problems:

Starter - location and time it takes to change | New Cougar Forum
Starter - location and time it takes to change | New Cougar Forum
https://www.newcougar.org/threads/starter-location-and-time-it-takes-to-change.112012/

May 24, 2007 ... pretty simple to do. 1999 Mercury Cougar Spruce Green MTX ... Gooch1962 Apr 15, 2006 ... I've searched and discovered that the most common problem ...

I own a 1978 Mercury Cougar XR-7 coupe....2 door....63000
I own a 1978 Mercury Cougar XR-7 coupe....2 door....63000
https://www.justanswer.com/antiques/68hqg-own-1978-mercury-cougar-xr-7-coupe-2-door-63-000.html

Feb 11, 2012 ... I own a 1978 Mercury Cougar XR-7 coupe....2 door....63000 original miles. AM/FM radio leather upholstery.... - Answered by a verified ...

ENGINE WONT SHUT OFF!!!!!! - Page 2 - The FORDification.com ...
ENGINE WONT SHUT OFF!!!!!! - Page 2 - The FORDification.com ...
https://fordification.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=47225&start=15

Jan 15, 2010 ... 1962 Comet Custom (Wife's) ... 1969 Mercury Cougar xr7 with a 351w (dads, I helped alot) ... I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, LOOKED AT ALL THE DIFFICULT ...

New to restoration - General Discussion - Car Talk Community
New to restoration - General Discussion - Car Talk Community
https://community.cartalk.com/t/new-to-restoration/81659

Oct 5, 2013 ... The 1962 Mercury Meteor, as best I can remember, was the Mercury ... top of the ... Another nameplate shift that Mercury did was with the Cougar ...

Ford small block engine - Wikipedia
Ford small block engine - Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_small_block_engine

Overview edit. The small-block engine was introduced in the 1962 Ford Fairlane and Mercury Meteor cars. Displacing 221 cu in (3.6 L) ...

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mercury cougar 1973 photo
Cougar 1973
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1962 Mercury Cougar photo