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2001 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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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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
151,645 miles · Jul 10, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED TO HESITATE AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED TO HESITATE AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,645.

NHTSA ODI #10609561

156,000 miles · May 21, 2014
Electrical System

KEY STICKS IN IGNITION SWITCH. SOMETIMES HALFWAY IN OR OUT. AFRAID TO DRIVE AS IT WILL PROBABLY MAKE CAR UNABLE TO START OR TAKE OUT IGNITION KEY. I AM ALSO WONDERING IF THIS COULD HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING, SUCH AS SHUTTING ITSELF OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10593220

147,892 miles · Nov 21, 2012
Tires

COOPER TRENDSETTER SE,P205/55/R16,INSIDE ONE TIRE IS A PILE OF POWDERED RUBBER/INSIDE WALL OF TIRE,RUBBER HAS CAME OFF AND YOU CAN SEE WHAT LOOKS LIKE BANDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10485371

111,000 miles · Oct 26, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT COMPLETE THE REPAIR BECAUSE SHE HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ST…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT COMPLETE THE REPAIR BECAUSE SHE HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM FAILED AND SHE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BUT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE PARTS HAD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000. UPDATED 12/06/12*LJ UPDATED 12/07/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10482387

250,000 miles · Aug 21, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY COUGAR. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND WAS REPAIRED. AFTER SOMETIME THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START OR WOULD STALL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY COUGAR. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND WAS REPAIRED. AFTER SOMETIME THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START OR WOULD STALL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000.

NHTSA ODI #10471696

90,000 miles · Nov 14, 2011
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineVisibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER WAITING A FEW MOMENTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS AND OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL ASS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER WAITING A FEW MOMENTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS AND OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE BEGAN TO RECUR APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS LATER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN BACK FOR ADDITIONAL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT FUEL SYSTEM FAILURES LED TO AN ALTERNATOR FAILURE, WHICH DRAINED THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUNROOF WAS JAMMED AND WOULD NOT LONGER OPEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10435572

99,000 miles · Aug 31, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A FUEL ODOR, THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK AND BOTH FUEL STRAPS WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

NHTSA ODI #10422793

200,000 miles · Aug 31, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED, THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE FUEL TANK AND STRAPS WERE RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED, THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE FUEL TANK AND STRAPS WERE RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ODI #10422721

Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2011
Electrical SystemFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT A PIECE OF THE METAL BATTERY CONNECTOR HAD MELTED. THE METAL CONNECTOR WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK LATER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE S…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT A PIECE OF THE METAL BATTERY CONNECTOR HAD MELTED. THE METAL CONNECTOR WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK LATER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING HER TO LOSE ALL POWER SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V031000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY:CABLES). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BATTERY CABLE WAS BURNING AND SMOKING. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PREVIOUS RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED THE SECOND TIME. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10384744

128,000 miles · Jan 17, 2011
Air BagsInjury

DRIVING CAR TO CLASS LAST WEEK, RECENTLY BOUGHT IT WITHIN THE PAST YEAR. WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT IN A PARKING GARAGE GOING MAYBE 5 MPH. WAS CREEPING UP INTO THE SPOT AND THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED OUT OF NOWHERE, CRACKING MY WINDSHIELD AND GETTING SMOKE AND AN AWFUL SMELL INTO MY CAR. I ALSO WILL BE WEARING A WRIST BRACE FOR T…

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DRIVING CAR TO CLASS LAST WEEK, RECENTLY BOUGHT IT WITHIN THE PAST YEAR. WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT IN A PARKING GARAGE GOING MAYBE 5 MPH. WAS CREEPING UP INTO THE SPOT AND THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED OUT OF NOWHERE, CRACKING MY WINDSHIELD AND GETTING SMOKE AND AN AWFUL SMELL INTO MY CAR. I ALSO WILL BE WEARING A WRIST BRACE FOR THE NEXT 6 WEEKS DUE TO AN INJURY THAT THE AIRBAGS CAUSED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10376887

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.