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2002 Mercury Cougar

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

79 reports with mileage · 16 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 41 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 →
  • Power Train. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports1 fire reports8 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

41 reports
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14,308 miles · Nov 19, 2018
Fuel System, Gasoline

I AM CURRENTLY HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL PUMP DRIVER MODULE. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO FORD IN OCT 2018. FORD STATED THAT THE 10 YEAR RECALL ENDED AND PER THEIR RECORDS THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED AS FUEL MODULE WAS REPLACED BY DEALER DON KNOTT FORD, CARSON, CA. DON KNOTT FORD IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS. THE AFOREMENTIONED DE…

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I AM CURRENTLY HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL PUMP DRIVER MODULE. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO FORD IN OCT 2018. FORD STATED THAT THE 10 YEAR RECALL ENDED AND PER THEIR RECORDS THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED AS FUEL MODULE WAS REPLACED BY DEALER DON KNOTT FORD, CARSON, CA. DON KNOTT FORD IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS. THE AFOREMENTIONED DEALER I BELIEVE WAS INVOLVED IN UNETHICAL BUSINESS PRACTICES. I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF SUCH A RECALL AND DEALER NEVER CHANGED MODULE, I DO NOT HAVE DOCUMENTATION & WOULD LIKE SUCH FOR MY RECORDS. I AM ORIGINAL OWNER OF VEHICLE AND THE PERIODIC INADVERTENT SURGING OF VEHICLE WHEN STOPPED/STATIONARY AT A STREET LIGHT BEGAN 6 MONTHS AGO. I CANNOT 100% SAFELY DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. FORD HAS NOT PROVIDED ME DOCUMENTATION OF THE ALLEGED REPAIR AND/OR DOCUMENTATION INFORMING ME OF RECALL. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A COPY OF THIS DOCUMENTATION AND/OR HAVE FORD CHANGE THE MODULE SO THE SURGING CAN STOP. YOUR CONSIDERATION AND REVIEW WOULD GREATLY BE APPRECIATED. LASTLY, FORTUNATELY I HAVE A 2ND VEHICLE THAT I HAVE BEEN USING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ANTICIPATED REVIEW OF THIS MATTER. YOURS TRULY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11152377

29,000 miles · Oct 9, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.

NHTSA ODI #10643691

142,000 miles · Jul 24, 2014
Fuel System, GasolineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, SHE WAS NOTIFIED BY ANOTHER DRIVER THAT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE CONTACT BEGAN TO COAST ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND REMOVED A CHILD PASSENGER FROM THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THERE WERE NO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, SHE WAS NOTIFIED BY ANOTHER DRIVER THAT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE CONTACT BEGAN TO COAST ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND REMOVED A CHILD PASSENGER FROM THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A JUNK FACILITY. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.

NHTSA ODI #10615966

126,000 miles · Jan 20, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineFuel System, Gasoline

MY DAUGHTER HAS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR AND IS RISKING HER LIFE AS WELL AS OTHERS LIVES EVERY TIME SHE GETS INSIDE THAT CAR. HER COUGAR HER BEEN HAVING ISSUES FOR MONTHS NOW, AND EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TRYING TO MAKE THE CAR SAFER FOR HER, NOTHING IS WORKING. OUR LAST STRAW WAS THREE DAYS AGO, WHEN THE CAR S…

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MY DAUGHTER HAS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR AND IS RISKING HER LIFE AS WELL AS OTHERS LIVES EVERY TIME SHE GETS INSIDE THAT CAR. HER COUGAR HER BEEN HAVING ISSUES FOR MONTHS NOW, AND EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TRYING TO MAKE THE CAR SAFER FOR HER, NOTHING IS WORKING. OUR LAST STRAW WAS THREE DAYS AGO, WHEN THE CAR STALLED ON HER ON THE HIGHWAY. SHE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR, WHEN THE CAR STALLED AND SHUT OFF LEAVING HER STRANDED WAITING FOR THE TOW TRUCK. HER CAR, FOR MONTHS, HAS BEEN SURGING WHILE AT COMPLETE STOPS, AND HAS BEEN SHUTTING OFF WHILE AT A STAND STILL. WE'VE TRIED FIXING MANY THINGS, BUT NOTHING SEEMS TO BE FIXING THE ISSUE. AFTER DOING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH, I HAVE COME TO REALIZE THAT MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. CAN SOMEONE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PLEASE?? ITS CLEARLY AN ON-GOING ISSUE AND IS COSTING PEOPLE LOTS OF MONEY. HER CAR IS CURRENTLY BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR, AND IS UNDERGOING DIAGNOSTICS. WE WERE ALREADY TOLD THAT HER CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, AND WE WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR EVEN MORE WORK, OUT OF POCKET. PLEASE HELP.. WHY WAS IT NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, SEEING THAT IT IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS?! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560713

78,656 miles · Aug 24, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 10/11/12*LJ UPDATED 10/16/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10472361

30,025 miles · Aug 17, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) THAT MAY BE R…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,028.

NHTSA ODI #10419872

116,000 miles · Jul 22, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE, LOSE POWER AND THEN SURGE ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) BUT THE CONTACTS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE, LOSE POWER AND THEN SURGE ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) BUT THE CONTACTS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO CONFIRMED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL LIST. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

NHTSA ODI #10414678

110,000 miles · Jul 18, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL OR SURGE FORWARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL OR SURGE FORWARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ODI #10413419

56,000 miles · Jun 24, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE TO ACCELERATE FROM STOPS AND INTERMITTENTLY JERK WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE IN THE PROCESS OF DIAGNOSING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE TO ACCELERATE FROM STOPS AND INTERMITTENTLY JERK WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE IN THE PROCESS OF DIAGNOSING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

NHTSA ODI #10408820

120,000 miles · Jun 14, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

2002 V6 MERCURY COUGAR CHUGS AND STALLS OUT AT OR BELOW HALF TANK OF GAS. ENGINE LIGHT DIAGNOSTIC READ OUT INDICATES REPLACING FUEL PUMP, REGULATOR, PRESSURE SENSOR, OR O2 SENSOR. HAVE REPLACED FUEL PUMP HOWEVER ISSUE REMAINS. CALLED FORD REGARDING RECALL IN AUG 2004, BUT AM TOLD THAT MY VIN# WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. …

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2002 V6 MERCURY COUGAR CHUGS AND STALLS OUT AT OR BELOW HALF TANK OF GAS. ENGINE LIGHT DIAGNOSTIC READ OUT INDICATES REPLACING FUEL PUMP, REGULATOR, PRESSURE SENSOR, OR O2 SENSOR. HAVE REPLACED FUEL PUMP HOWEVER ISSUE REMAINS. CALLED FORD REGARDING RECALL IN AUG 2004, BUT AM TOLD THAT MY VIN# WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. READING THE DESCRIPTION OF THE RECALL SOUNDS ALL TOO FAMILIAR THOUGH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10406259

Official recalls

1

04V421000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Aug 30, 2004

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.