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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

What owners actually said

95 reports
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

130,000 miles · Jun 6, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A KNOCKING NOISE AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A KNOCKING NOISE AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #10596606

73,000 miles · Mar 14, 2014
Engine

I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND ABOUT ONE MILE FROM MY DESTINATION THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED. I LET IT SIT ABOUT TWENTY MINUTES AND IT FINALLY STARTED AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL DAYS OF SHUTTING OFF WHILE I WAS ON THE ROAD DRIVING. LUCKILY I WAS AT A PLACE WHEN I COULD PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND GET OUT OF THE LINE OF…

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I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND ABOUT ONE MILE FROM MY DESTINATION THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED. I LET IT SIT ABOUT TWENTY MINUTES AND IT FINALLY STARTED AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL DAYS OF SHUTTING OFF WHILE I WAS ON THE ROAD DRIVING. LUCKILY I WAS AT A PLACE WHEN I COULD PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND GET OUT OF THE LINE OF TRAFFIC EXCEPT FOR ONE TIME WHEN I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND IT SHUT OFF AND I SAT AND WAIT AND IT FINALLY STARTED AGAIN AND I WAS ABLE DRIVE IT TO A SAFE SPOT. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THE COMPUTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE ONLY PLACE THAT COULD REPLACE THE COMPUTER WAS THE DEALER. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND AFTER BEING AT THE DEALER FOR THREE DAYS THEY SAID THAT THE IGNITION NEED REPLACING. THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION AND AFTER THREE MORE DAYS THERE AND WHILE THEY WERE WORKING ON OTHER REPAIR PARTS THAT THEY SAID I NEEDED DONE THE ENGINE SHUT OFF ABOUT TWO MORE TIMES. ON MARCH 13, 2014 THEY TOLD ME THAT ALL REPAIR WORK HAD BEEN COMPLETED AND THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF WAS SOLVED. THE TOTAL BILL CAME TO CLOSE TO $3,000.00. I AM PLANNING ON PICKING UP THE VEHICLE ON MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014 WHEN I WILL HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY THEM. I HEARD ABOUT CARS ENGINES SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE RADIO (WTOP). I JUST WANTED TO REPORT HOW MY VEHICLE WAS HAVING THE SAME OR SIMILAR PROBLEM. I AM A BIT NERVOUS ABOUT DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IF THIS COULD POSSIBLE HAPPEN AGAIN. THE RADIO REPORT WAS ABOUT GM VEHICLES I HAVE A MERCURY AND THIS HAPPENED TO MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10569334

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

126,000 miles · Jan 18, 2014
EngineFuel/propulsion System

THE CAR GETS A STALLING SENSATION WHEN AT A RED LIGHT, OR A COMPLETE STANDSTILL. IT FEELS LIKE ITS STUTTERING AND UNABLE TO KEEP POWER. CHANGED EGR VALVE, 2 IDLE CONTROL CHANGES, ALONG WITH A TRANSMISSION FLUSH WAS DONE. NOTHING SEEMS TO BE FIXING THE ISSUE. THE CAR ACTS UP AND STALLS IN COLD TEMPERATURES. STALLED AT A RED LIGHT…

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THE CAR GETS A STALLING SENSATION WHEN AT A RED LIGHT, OR A COMPLETE STANDSTILL. IT FEELS LIKE ITS STUTTERING AND UNABLE TO KEEP POWER. CHANGED EGR VALVE, 2 IDLE CONTROL CHANGES, ALONG WITH A TRANSMISSION FLUSH WAS DONE. NOTHING SEEMS TO BE FIXING THE ISSUE. THE CAR ACTS UP AND STALLS IN COLD TEMPERATURES. STALLED AT A RED LIGHT TWICE. HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DIFFERENT CAR SHOPS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. NO ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560461

30,000 miles · Oct 16, 2013
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN A DRIVEWAY, THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE IN THE ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DECELERATE EVEN AS THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE FAILURE AND CRASHED INTO A HOUSE. THE CONTACT SUSTAIN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN A DRIVEWAY, THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE IN THE ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DECELERATE EVEN AS THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE FAILURE AND CRASHED INTO A HOUSE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED LEFT WRIST. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE FRONT END DAMAGES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A POLICE IMPOUND LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ACCELERATION FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #10548123

90,600 miles · Aug 21, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE BATTERY, ENGINE, AND OIL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,600…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE BATTERY, ENGINE, AND OIL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,600.

NHTSA ODI #10536556

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

180,000 miles · Jul 23, 2012
Engine

I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 COUGAR AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE FUEL LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE VEHICLE SURGING WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP. I CONTACTED THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MY LOCAL DEALER AND THE ONLY RESOLUTION HE CO…

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I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 COUGAR AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE FUEL LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE VEHICLE SURGING WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP. I CONTACTED THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MY LOCAL DEALER AND THE ONLY RESOLUTION HE COULD PROVIDE ME WAS TO HAVE A TECHNICIAN DRIVE IT AND SEE IF IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. EVEN THOUGH I EXPLAINED THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ISSUE BY OTHER DRIVERS ON LINE, HE SAID THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO. MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL "BATCH" OF VEHICLES. I COULD PAY THE $100 DIAG FEE IN THE EVENT MY VEHICLE DOES NOT REPEAT THE COMPLAINT. EITHER WAY, I WOULD BE PAYING FOR THE REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10467028

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.