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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
141,000 miles · Mar 8, 2010
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT OPENED HER SUNROOF AND THE LIFT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DID NOT OPEN. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE LINER AND MOTOR REPAIRED. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM SHE HAS FOUND SEVERAL CONSUMERS THAT HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT OPENED HER SUNROOF AND THE LIFT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DID NOT OPEN. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE LINER AND MOTOR REPAIRED. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM SHE HAS FOUND SEVERAL CONSUMERS THAT HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AS OF YET. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141000 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 144500.

NHTSA ODI #10317761

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

85,000 miles · Sep 17, 2009
Fuel System, Other

2002 COUGAR EXHIBITS "ENGINE HESITATION, LOSS OF POWER, SURGING, AND OTHER SIMILAR SYMPTOMS". YOUR WEBSITE SHOWS A EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS AS OUR MECHANIC SAYS WE NEED A NEW FUEL PUMP. FORD DENIES THE CAR IS COVERED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284433

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

99,000 miles · May 18, 2009
Visibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CLIP ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE SUN ROOF FAILED AND PREVENTS THE SUN ROOF FROM CLOSING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND FOUND THAT IT WAS A VERY COMMON FAILURE. SHE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON AND SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CLIP ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE SUN ROOF FAILED AND PREVENTS THE SUN ROOF FROM CLOSING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND FOUND THAT IT WAS A VERY COMMON FAILURE. SHE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON AND SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT BELIEVES A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 99,000.

NHTSA ODI #10269276

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

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

66,600 miles · Aug 5, 2008
Seat Belts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SEAT BELTS FAILED TO PROPERLY SECURE THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT OR AN OCCUPANT. HE STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD POSSIBLY BE DUE TO THE LATCH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAG…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SEAT BELTS FAILED TO PROPERLY SECURE THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT OR AN OCCUPANT. HE STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD POSSIBLY BE DUE TO THE LATCH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 66,600.

NHTSA ODI #10237070

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

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.