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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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

11 reports
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72,000 miles · Sep 22, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECREASED TO 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT ALL THREE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WERE CLOGGED AND THE FDM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE FDM BUT NOT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECREASED TO 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT ALL THREE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WERE CLOGGED AND THE FDM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE FDM BUT NOT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 72,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10426767

60,000 miles · Sep 29, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD OFTEN FAIL TO ACCELERATE AND INCREASE IN RPM'S. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD FREQUENTLY STALL. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, IT WOULD RESTART IMMEDIATELY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC BECAUSE THE WARRANTY WAS NO LONG…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD OFTEN FAIL TO ACCELERATE AND INCREASE IN RPM'S. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD FREQUENTLY STALL. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, IT WOULD RESTART IMMEDIATELY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC BECAUSE THE WARRANTY WAS NO LONGER VALID. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AS A FAULTY FUEL INJECTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ODI #10243936

84,000 miles · Jun 19, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. HE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTLY PULLING THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND OPERATED NORMALLY. HE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. HE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTLY PULLING THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND OPERATED NORMALLY. HE DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND LATER CALLED THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE AND THEY MADE REPAIRS AT THE COST OF $697. THE FAILURE WAS IDENTIFIED AS BEING INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE COULD CAUSE ENGINE HESITATION, LOSS OF POWER, SURGING, AND OTHER SIMILAR SYMPTOMS. OVER TIME, THE FILTER MAY BECOME SUFFICIENTLY BLOCKED AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 07/16/08*LJ THE BUSHINGS AND CLUTCH WERE WORN. THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL SENDER WERE REPLACED. THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THE DEALER REPLACED A LEAKING INTAKE. UPDATED 07/16/08

NHTSA ODI #10231582

Mileage unknown · Dec 31, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE HESITATES AS IF THERE IS NO GAS FLOW. THE DEALER STATED THAT A DIAGNOSIS WAS NEEDED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT A PREVIOUS DIAGNOSIS DID NOT FIND ANY FAILURES. THE REPAIR SHOP CHANGED THE ENGINE OIL, REPLACED THE FILTER, AND CLEANED THE FUEL I…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE HESITATES AS IF THERE IS NO GAS FLOW. THE DEALER STATED THAT A DIAGNOSIS WAS NEEDED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT A PREVIOUS DIAGNOSIS DID NOT FIND ANY FAILURES. THE REPAIR SHOP CHANGED THE ENGINE OIL, REPLACED THE FILTER, AND CLEANED THE FUEL INJECTION, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NUMBER 04N02. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND DEALER INFORMATION WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,881.

NHTSA ODI #10213278

74,500 miles · Oct 24, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

LOSS OF POWER, SURGING, SO I TOOK TO DEALER THEY CHANGED FUEL PUMP SUPPOSEDLY AND FILTER AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. ONE WEEK LATER I TOOK IT BACK BECAUSE IT CONTINUED TO DO THE SAME, THEY SAID THEY CHECKED A WIRE TO FUEL PUMP AND CHANGED A SPARK PLUG, AND HERE IT IS ANOTHER WEEK WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10206826

44,900 miles · Apr 15, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

NO PROBLEMS OR INDICATORS OF ANY PROBLEMS OR ISSUES. WAS DRIVING VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY AND CAR LOSS POWER. WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO SIDE OF ROAD. HAD VEHICLE EXAMINED AND WAS TOLD THE ENGINE SEIZED. HAD SECOND OPINION, AND MECHANIC DRAINED THE OIL AND SAID THERE WAS METAL SHAVINGS IN OIL, COULD NOT GIVE REASON AS TO WHAT CAUSED …

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NO PROBLEMS OR INDICATORS OF ANY PROBLEMS OR ISSUES. WAS DRIVING VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY AND CAR LOSS POWER. WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO SIDE OF ROAD. HAD VEHICLE EXAMINED AND WAS TOLD THE ENGINE SEIZED. HAD SECOND OPINION, AND MECHANIC DRAINED THE OIL AND SAID THERE WAS METAL SHAVINGS IN OIL, COULD NOT GIVE REASON AS TO WHAT CAUSED ENGINE TO LOCK UP. HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. WARRANTY EXPIRED. WAS TOLD FORD WOULD NOT COVER. HAD LESS THAN 45,000 MILES ON VEHICLE - THIS IS A DEFECTIVE OR MISBUILT MOTOR. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10155409

55,500 miles · Nov 18, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

ONCE THE CONSUMER IS INSIDE THE VEHICLE SHE CAN STRONGLY SMELL GAS FUMES. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10048161

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HESITATED BETWEEN GEARS AT ANY SPEED. SERVICE TECHNICIAN COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *PH

NHTSA ODI #10031761

5,000 miles · Apr 9, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED 12 TIMES AT HIGH SPEEDS AND RESULTS IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND TWICE HAS RESULTED IN LOSS OF ALL ELECTRICAL POWER INCLUDING HEADLIGHTS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10014166

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT RESTART AT ALL PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI #10004178

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.