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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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20,000 miles · Apr 11, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60-65 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BECAME HESITANT AND WOULD DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING CLUTCH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60-65 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BECAME HESITANT AND WOULD DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING CLUTCH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SECOND DEALER WHERE UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES BUT TO NO AVAIL. MOST RECENTLY, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT STATED THE CONSEQUENCE STATED IN THE RECALL WAS THE SAME EXACT FAILURE HE HAD EXPERIENCED SINCE 2003. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ODI #10395504

62,000 miles · Feb 12, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

MY 2002 MERCURY COUGAR HAS LOST POWER, SHUTTERED, MISFIRED, AND ESSENTIALLY BROKE DOWN THE SAME WEEK I PAID IT OFF! MY 2002 MERCURY COUGAR WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SO I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL? HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND FORD IS REFUSIN…

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MY 2002 MERCURY COUGAR HAS LOST POWER, SHUTTERED, MISFIRED, AND ESSENTIALLY BROKE DOWN THE SAME WEEK I PAID IT OFF! MY 2002 MERCURY COUGAR WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SO I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL? HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND FORD IS REFUSING TO FIX CERTAIN VIN NUMBER THAT THEY CLAIM ARE NOT AFFECTED, HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? THERE ARE AWAY TO MANY 2002 COUGARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD IS REFUSING TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND NOW I HAVE A CAR THAT DOES NOT RUN. THIS CAR HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH STALLING AND SHUTTERING SINCE DAY 8 OF PURCHASE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10381727

Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. SHE WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A RECALL FOR THE EXACT SAME FAILURE FOR HER YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT HER EXPEN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. SHE WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A RECALL FOR THE EXACT SAME FAILURE FOR HER YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT HER EXPENSE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V421000: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA ODI #10321526

127,000 miles · Dec 1, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND LOSE POWER. THE FAILURE WAS IDENTICAL TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V421000; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THIS HIS VIN DID NOT APPLY TO THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 127,000. UPDATED 12/30/09 *CN…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND LOSE POWER. THE FAILURE WAS IDENTICAL TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V421000; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THIS HIS VIN DID NOT APPLY TO THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 127,000. UPDATED 12/30/09 *CN THE FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 12/30/09*JB

NHTSA ODI #10294182

112,000 miles · Jul 15, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) REDUCED AND EVENTUALLY BLOCKED THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM N…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) REDUCED AND EVENTUALLY BLOCKED THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,184.

NHTSA ODI #10276843

88,500 miles · Mar 5, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND EXPERIENCED A LOW POWER RESPONSE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WAS ALSO ENGINE HESITATION AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUM…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND EXPERIENCED A LOW POWER RESPONSE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WAS ALSO ENGINE HESITATION AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE FAILED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

NHTSA ODI #10260868

61,500 miles · Jun 25, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND THEN STALL. OCCASIONALLY, ONCE THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, THE ENGINE REVS RANDOMLY AND LOUDLY, AND DOES NOT RUN SMOOTHLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V421000 …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND THEN STALL. OCCASIONALLY, ONCE THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, THE ENGINE REVS RANDOMLY AND LOUDLY, AND DOES NOT RUN SMOOTHLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), BUT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. HE BELIEVES THAT IF THE FAILURES ARE IDENTICAL, HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000. UPDATED 07/15/08 *BF UPDATED 07/15/08. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10232268

85,000 miles · Jun 23, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

I HAVE A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR THAT HAS SEVERE STALLING, ROUGH IDLE AND EXTREME SURGING WHILE DRIVING OF AT IDLE. THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MANY TIMES. I DID A SEARCH AND FOUND CAMPAIGN #04V421000 ON YOUR WEBSITE AND THIS CAR EXHIBITS ALL THE SIGNS DETAILED OUT IN THE CAMPAIGN. I CALLED MY DEALER (DAVE…

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I HAVE A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR THAT HAS SEVERE STALLING, ROUGH IDLE AND EXTREME SURGING WHILE DRIVING OF AT IDLE. THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MANY TIMES. I DID A SEARCH AND FOUND CAMPAIGN #04V421000 ON YOUR WEBSITE AND THIS CAR EXHIBITS ALL THE SIGNS DETAILED OUT IN THE CAMPAIGN. I CALLED MY DEALER (DAVE KNAPP FORD) AND THE SERVICE MANAGER DID A VIN SEARCH AND SAID THIS VEHICLE WASN'T INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT MY VEHICLE FITS THESE SYMPTOMS TO A "T" AND THAT, I BELIEVE THAT IS SHOULD BE COVERED, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S A KNOWN PROBLEM! BY THE WAY, THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW AND I AM FEARING FOR MY DAUGHTERS SAFETY. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10231989

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

50,000 miles · Jan 29, 2008
Fuel System, GasolineLatches/locks/linkagesVehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE IDLING, THE ENGINE REVS AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN. THE DEALER STATED THAT NO RECALLS WERE AVAILABLE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V194000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED FOR WEEKS AT A T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE IDLING, THE ENGINE REVS AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN. THE DEALER STATED THAT NO RECALLS WERE AVAILABLE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V194000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED FOR WEEKS AT A TIME. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) WAS REFERENCED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED AND THE DOORS ARE SHUT, THE POWER DOOR LOCKS AUTOMATICALLY LOCK. ALSO, THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V226000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES: DOORS:LATCH). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10216394

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.