Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
40–25K
1325–50K
1050–75K
775–100K
10100–150K
7150K+
51 reports with mileage · 31 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports6 fire reports5 injury reports
What owners actually said
82 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
TRAVELING 70MPH ON INTERSTATE 75 SOUTH CAR JUST CAUGHT FIRE IN THE MIDDLE LANE. CAR JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE LANE. FIRE STARTED FROM THE ENGINE AND SHOT TO THE REAR OF THE CAR. STATE FARM INSURANCE CO., THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP, AND A REPRESENTATIVE FOR FORD MOTOR CO., ALL STATED THAT THE CAR HAS A MANUFACTURER'S …
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TRAVELING 70MPH ON INTERSTATE 75 SOUTH CAR JUST CAUGHT FIRE IN THE MIDDLE LANE. CAR JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE LANE. FIRE STARTED FROM THE ENGINE AND SHOT TO THE REAR OF THE CAR. STATE FARM INSURANCE CO., THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP, AND A REPRESENTATIVE FOR FORD MOTOR CO., ALL STATED THAT THE CAR HAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT WHICH CAUSE THE ENGINE TO SEPARATE . THE CAR WAS SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT SAME DAY ( ENGINE LIGHT HAD CAME ON) AND RELEASED AS REPAIRED.*AIK
NHTSA ODI #761236
Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
GOING 70 MPH ON 75 SOUTH CAR JUST CAUGHT ON FIRE IN MIDDLE LANE ON THE HIGHWAY. CAR JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE LANE FIRE STARTED FROM THE ENGINE AND SHOT TO THE REAR OF THE CAR. ****DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****761083. *AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #10008768
Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2002
Electrical System
THE INSTRUMENTATION PANEL LOSES IT'S LUMINOSITY WHEN THE BRAKE IS PRESSED. THIS CAUSES VITAL INSTRUMENTATION SUCH AS THE ODOMETER, TACHOMETER, ENGINE TEMPERATURE AND FUEL GUAGES TO BECOME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO READ. I CONTACTED THE FORD CORPORATION AND THEY STATED THAT THIS DEFECT WAS NORMAL, AND THAT THE PROBLEM IS INHERENT WI…
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THE INSTRUMENTATION PANEL LOSES IT'S LUMINOSITY WHEN THE BRAKE IS PRESSED. THIS CAUSES VITAL INSTRUMENTATION SUCH AS THE ODOMETER, TACHOMETER, ENGINE TEMPERATURE AND FUEL GUAGES TO BECOME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO READ. I CONTACTED THE FORD CORPORATION AND THEY STATED THAT THIS DEFECT WAS NORMAL, AND THAT THE PROBLEM IS INHERENT WITHIN ALL COUGARS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #759016
Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL SMELL WAS COMING FROM INSIDE OF VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8002508
Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 2001
Power Train
FROM 3/29 - 10/24/2001 HAVE TAKEN CAR TO DEALER 8 TIMES, 5 OF WHICH DEALING WITH PROBLEMS WITH SHIFTING FROM ONE GEAR TO ANOTHER. DEALER COULD NEVER FIND A PROBLEM RELATING TO COMPLAINT. ON 11/16/2001 TOOK CAR IN AND WAS TOLD BY DEALER THE COST TO REPAIR WOULD BE $1,100.00. I HAD THE CAR IN THE DEALERSHIP 22 DAYS PRIOR AND THEY…
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FROM 3/29 - 10/24/2001 HAVE TAKEN CAR TO DEALER 8 TIMES, 5 OF WHICH DEALING WITH PROBLEMS WITH SHIFTING FROM ONE GEAR TO ANOTHER. DEALER COULD NEVER FIND A PROBLEM RELATING TO COMPLAINT. ON 11/16/2001 TOOK CAR IN AND WAS TOLD BY DEALER THE COST TO REPAIR WOULD BE $1,100.00. I HAD THE CAR IN THE DEALERSHIP 22 DAYS PRIOR AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. SERVICE MANAGER ASKED IF DRIVER KNEW HOW TO DRIVE A STICKSHIFT? ALSO STATED THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN IMPROPERLY. WHY WAS THIS NEVER A QUESTION OR COMMENT BEFORE? HAVE PREVIOUSLY OWNED AND CURRENTLY OPERATE MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICHLES AT WORK AND FOR THE ARMY RESERVES. CALLED AND SPOKE WITH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, SHE WAS VERY POLITE UNTIL SHE CAME BACK FROM SPEAKING WITH SERVICE DEPARTMENT. WAS TOLD FORD COULD DO NOTHING TO HELP. WENT BACK TO SPEAK WITH SOMEONE AT DEALERSHIP WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING ANYONE COULD DO TO HELP. FELT THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE TO DO BUT FILE A COMPLAINT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #754814
Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2001
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION "HUNTS" AS IF IT DOESN'T KNOW WHICH GEAR TO GO INTO. THIS MOSTLY OCCURS DURING OR IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE 1-2 SHIFT. IT ALSO HAS HARSH SHIFTS. DEALER SAYS THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #752788
Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2001
Suspension
BRACKET THAT HELD STABILIZER BAR IN REAR BROKE WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, AND IT DROPPED WHEEL UNDER CAR. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS LOOKING AT VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #895539
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2001
Tires
BOTH REAR FIRESTONE, FIREHAWK ATX TIRES SIZE: P205/75R15, DOT: UNKNOWN ON 2001, MERCURY, COUGAR DEVELOPED "FLAT SPOTS" (DEFORMATIONS) IN SIDEWALL. THERE ARE LESS THAN 50 MILES ON THE TIRES, AND THEY ARE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON VEHICLE. *AK DEALER REPLACED 2 TIRES AND FIRSTONE REPLACED 1 FRONT TIRE. *YH
NHTSA ODI #894961
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2001
Power Train
WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS IN LOW 30 MPH TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT OUT OF GEAR, AND VEHICLE WILL SHAKE. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM, CANNOT REMEDY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #893703
Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2001
Structure
DRIVER DOOR HAS A MAJOR LEAKING PROBLEM WHEN IT RAINS OR IS RUN THROUGH A CAR WASH. *AK
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, CONTAMINATION OF THE FILTER IN THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) CAN REDUCE, AND EVENTUALLY BLOCK, THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS MAY CAUSE ENGINE HESITATION, LOSS OF POWER, SURGING, AND OTHER SIMILAR SYMPTOMS. OVER TIME, THE FILTER MAY BECOME SUFFICIENTLY BLOCKED TO CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: THIS ACTION IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN AND IS NOT BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE SAFETY ACT. ALL OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FDM WITH A NEW DESIGN AT NO CHARGE IF THE OWNER REPORTS THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITS ANY OF THE IDENTIFIED SYMPTOMS. THE FREE REPLACEMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, WITH NO MILEAGE LIMIT. THE CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON APRIL 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2001 Mercury Cougar Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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