RoadVitals

2001 Mercury Cougar Fuel system Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Fuel system reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
26
Latest Aug 18, 2020
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
32%
of 82 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 Mercury Cougar submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 26 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming fuel system

The 25 most recent of 26, in the owner's own words

Fuel system
Filed Aug 18, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START-UP AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUTOFF AS THE OIL WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FUEL SENSOR, RELAY SENSOR, FUEL INJECTION SENOR AND MULTIPLE OTHER PARTS WERE REPLACED. DESPITE MULTIPLE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) WHICH WAS LINKED TO HER FAILURE. A DEALER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

NHTSA ID
11350028
Incident
May 1, 2020
Mileage
116,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 30, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE FUEL LEVEL REACHED A HALF TANK OF GASOLINE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND LOSS MOTIVE POWER WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANS AXLE AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. COLUMBIA FORD LINCOLN HYUNDAI (700 7TH AVE, LONGVIEW, WA 98632) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 136,000.

NHTSA ID
11342354
Incident
Mar 1, 2019
Mileage
136,000 mi
ElectricalFuel systemExterior lighting
Filed Apr 14, 2020
Fire reported

BATTERY LIGHT IS ON AND HAS FOR AWHILE. LIGHTS KEEP BLOWING FUSES. AND TODAY I HAD TO RIP OUT A HEADLIGHT OR THE CAR WOULD HAVE SET ON FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID
11321151
Incident
Apr 14, 2020
Mileage
177,810 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 11, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT, WITH THE HELP OF OTHER DRIVERS, HAD TO PHYSICALLY PUSH THE VEHICLE OUT OF TRAFFIC TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP MOTOR BURNED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

NHTSA ID
10944316
Incident
Jan 10, 2017
Mileage
102,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Jul 7, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE ENGINE CHECK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V421000(FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,800.

NHTSA ID
10883445
Incident
Jun 23, 2015
Mileage
59,800 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Apr 16, 2015

CAR STARTED HESITATING AND LOST POWER THEN STALLED OUT CAUSING TRAFFIC TO GET BACKED UP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10706169
Incident
Apr 1, 2015
Mileage
159,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 10, 2014

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 ID
10609561
Incident
Jan 1, 2013
Mileage
151,645 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 26, 2012

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 ID
10482387
Incident
Oct 3, 2012
Mileage
111,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 21, 2012

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 ID
10471696
Incident
Aug 16, 2012
Mileage
250,000 mi
ElectricalFuel systemVisibility
Filed Nov 14, 2011

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 ID
10435572
Incident
Jan 1, 2009
Mileage
90,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 31, 2011

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 ID
10422793
Incident
Aug 24, 2011
Mileage
99,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 31, 2011

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 ID
10422721
Incident
Aug 26, 2011
Mileage
200,000 mi
BrakesFuel systemOther / unspecified+1 more
Filed Oct 30, 2009

VEHICLE QUITTING IN INTERSECTION AND CAR LOSING ALL POWER ENTERING GARAGE. VIBRATION AND PULLING TO RIGHT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. EGR VALVE REPLACED TWICE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10290402
Incident
Oct 15, 2009
Mileage
79,888 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 9, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN AND/OR WHEN DRIVING FORWARD, THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AND AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE MUST BE RESTARTED AND OPERATES NORMALLY UNTIL THE NEXT OCCURRENCE. NO WARNING LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, BUT THE CONTACT HAD THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED TWO YEARS AGO. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HER THAT SINCE THE REPAIRS WERE MADE UNDER THE RECALL, SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE NEW REPAIRS. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

NHTSA ID
10227130
Incident
Apr 15, 2008
Mileage
102,000 mi
Fuel systemOther / unspecifiedTransmission
Filed May 14, 2007

AFTER ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH MY 2001 COUGAR I WISH I WOULD HAVE MADE A BETTER CHOICE IN WHAT VEHICLE I BOUGHT. THE ONE RECALL THAT THEY HAD ON THE FUEL PUMP I HAD TO HAVE THAT REPLACED, BUT I AM NOT SURE THEY REALLY FIXED IT BECAUSE IT STILL HESITATED WHEN I ACCELERATING . THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT ON THE DASH WENT ON IN THE WINTER TIME WHEN I FIRST STARTED THE CAR. AFTER I DRIVING A BIT THE LIGHT WILL JUST TURN OFF. SO HOW THE AM I SUPPOSE TO KNOW WHEN THERE REALLY WAS A COOLANT PROBLEM IF THE LIGHT JUST WENT ON. THEN, THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 94,000 MILES WITH NO SIGNS OF IT GOING OUT. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH WHEN I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL AND NOTHING HAPPENED, LIKE THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL. I TRIED DIFFERENT GEARS AND NOTHING. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO BRING THE CAR HOME AND COST $300.00. I HAD TO FIND A PLACE TO BRING THE CAR TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION WHICH WAS AT A FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT 3 DAYS TO HAVE IT DONE, AND TURNED OUT TAKING 2 WEEKS BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO PUT THE CORRECT TRANSMISSION IN THE BOX. THEY SENT TWO WRONG TRANSMISSIONS BEFORE FORD FINALLY GOT THE CORRECT TRANSMISSION FOR THE CAR TO THE SHOP. THIS COST ME $3,235.00. TRANSMISSIONS FAILING AT 94,000 MILES WAS RIDICULOUS CONSIDERING ALL PROPER MAINTENANCE WAS DONE WHEN IT WAS NEEDED. THERE WERE STILL OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR, BUT I COULD NOT FIT ALL THE WORDS ON THIS FORM. I DID NOT BELIEVE ANYTHING WAS DONE AT ALL, AND CUSTOMER SERVICE FROM FORD WAS TERRIBLE. THE NEXT VEHICLE I BUY MOST DEFINITELY WILL NOT BE A FORD AND PROBABLY NOT AN AMERICAN VEHICLE EITHER. WORD OF MOUTH IS VERY POWERFULLY AND PEOPLE THAT I TALK TO ABOUT COUGAR PROBLEMS WILL NEVER BE BUYING A FORD. IF ONLY FORD WOULD CARE A LITTLE AND NOT BE AFRAID TO SPEND SOME MONEY TO MAKE THEIR CUSTOMERS A LITTLE MORE PLEASED WITH THEIR PURCHASE THEN MAYBE PEOPLE WOULDN'T LOOK DOWN SO MUCH ON FORD PRODUCTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10190620
Incident
Mar 10, 2005
Fuel system
Filed Jul 6, 2005

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED UNDER A FORD RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING AS BEFORE THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10127641
Incident
Jun 15, 2005
Fuel system
Filed May 20, 2005

CONSUMER WAS NOT INFORMED OF TWO RECALLS ON THE 2001 MERCURY COUGAR. *MR RECALL CAMPAIGN# 04V421000. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED MONEY BACK FOR THE OUT OF POCKET REPAIRS. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10122652
Incident
May 1, 2005
Fuel system
Filed Nov 22, 2004

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB *SC

NHTSA ID
10099165
Incident
Oct 18, 2004
Mileage
35,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 14, 2004

PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE STALLING AND FUEL PUMP. *MR THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THAT FORD REIMBURSE THE COST OF REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE PART. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10075868
Incident
Jun 1, 2004
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Jun 28, 2004

2001 MERCURY COUGAR HAS STALLED 5 TIMES WITHIN A MONTH AND A HALF. TWICE ON THE HIGHWAY AND 3 TIMES IDLE. CAR WAS COMPLETELY SHUTTING OFF WITHOUT RESTARTING AND 2 COMPUTER CHIPS WERE REPLACED DUE TO FORD PUTTING IN A BAD CHIP. CAR IS NOW STALLING WHEN GOING AT SLOW SPEEDS OR STOPPED AND HAS BEEN IN AN INDEPENDENT SHOP 3 TIMES WITHIN A 3 WEEK PERIOD SO THE CAR IS NOW STALLING ONCE A WEEK. BRAND NEW WIRES, THROTTLE BODY, IDLE CENSOR WAS REPLACED AND IT'S STILL STALLING. SPENT A SMALL FORTUNE ON RENTAL CARS, TOW TRUCKS AND REPAIRS. FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. WILL NEVER EVER BUY AN AMERICAN CAR AGAIN!

NHTSA ID
10078947
Incident
May 17, 2004
Mileage
49,700 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 25, 2004

I HAVE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER AS IF MY CAR WAS NOT GETTING GAS SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST 1 1/2 YEARS. DEALER REPLACED THE DPFE UNIT. GOOD FOR 4 MONTHS. STALLED OUT. WE REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER. DID NOT WORK, STILL EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM. STALLED OUT ON THE ROAD AGAIN, HAD TO BE TOWED. TOOK TO DEALER AGAIN. THEY REPLACED THE DPFE UNIT AGAIN. STILL EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM. ALSO, EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL REGISTERING AFTER FILLING THE CAR UP, IT STILL READ EMPTY. STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM WITH HESITATION AND STALLING OUT. THE DEALER IS GOING TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP. SINCE I RECEIVED THE LETTER OF RECALL.

NHTSA ID
10073110
Incident
Apr 17, 2004
Mileage
33,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 11, 2004

REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPLACEMENT OF FUEL PUMP. *MR *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10073758
Incident
May 1, 2004
Fuel system
Filed Nov 23, 2003

FUEL PUMP FAILURE - FUEL PUMP HAD BEEN REPLACED PREVIOUSLY (WITH AN OEM FORD ONE), WHILE DRIVING ON I95 NEAR DC IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, PUMP DIED, CAUSING CAR TO STALL, ALMOST CAUSING A MULTI CAR ACCIDENT WHILE TRYING TO MERGE THRU TRAFFIC TO REACH THE BREAKDOWN LANE. DEALER REPLACED FUEL PUMP (52,000 MILES). NOW AT 61,000 THE PUMP IS DYING AGAIN. *LA

NHTSA ID
10047398
Incident
Jul 17, 2003
Mileage
52,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 10, 2002

SMELL GAS FUMES, GAPS AROUND SUNROOF, FRONT WHEEL AREA LOUD NOISES WHEN TURNING,BACK WINDOW NOT SEALED, BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T ALWAYS WORKS, DIM LIGHTS NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH TO SEE. *AK

NHTSA ID
765472
Fuel system
Filed Jan 18, 2002

FUEL SMELL WAS COMING FROM INSIDE OF VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
8002508
Incident
Jan 2, 2002

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .