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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.

About this comparison →

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
59,000 miles · Jun 18, 2012
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE OPENED THE SUN ROOF AND WAS UNABLE TO GET THE SUN ROOF TO CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PERSONAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE SUN ROOF WAS CLOSED. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE MOTOR WAS FINE BUT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE SWITCH. THE SW…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE OPENED THE SUN ROOF AND WAS UNABLE TO GET THE SUN ROOF TO CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PERSONAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE SUN ROOF WAS CLOSED. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE MOTOR WAS FINE BUT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE SWITCH. THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND ONE WEEK AFTER HAVING IT REPAIRED, THE SUN ROOF WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000. UPDATED 8/24/12 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10462089

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

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

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

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.