2002 Mercury Cougar Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2002 Mercury Cougar, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Fuel system4940.2%
- Engine2016.4%
- Transmission97.4%
- Airbags75.7%
- Visibility64.9%
- Driver assistance54.1%
- Electrical43.3%
- Seat belts32.5%
- Steering32.5%
- Suspension32.5%
- Body & structure21.6%
- Interior & seats21.6%
- Brakes21.6%
- Other / unspecified21.6%
- Tires & wheels21.6%
- Exterior lighting21.6%
- Powertrain (other)10.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
I AM CURRENTLY HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL PUMP DRIVER MODULE. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO FORD IN OCT 2018. FORD STATED THAT THE 10 YEAR RECALL ENDED AND PER THEIR RECORDS THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED AS FUEL MODULE WAS REPLACED BY DEALER DON KNOTT FORD, CARSON, CA. DON KNOTT FORD IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS. THE AFOREMENTIONED DEALER I BELIEVE WAS INVOLVED IN UNETHICAL BUSINESS PRACTICES. I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF SUCH A RECALL AND DEALER NEVER CHANGED MODULE, I DO NOT HAVE DOCUMENTATION & WOULD LIKE SUCH FOR MY RECORDS. I AM ORIGINAL OWNER OF VEHICLE AND THE PERIODIC INADVERTENT SURGING OF VEHICLE WHEN STOPPED/STATIONARY AT A STREET LIGHT BEGAN 6 MONTHS AGO. I CANNOT 100% SAFELY DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. FORD HAS NOT PROVIDED ME DOCUMENTATION OF THE ALLEGED REPAIR AND/OR DOCUMENTATION INFORMING ME OF RECALL. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A COPY OF THIS DOCUMENTATION AND/OR HAVE FORD CHANGE THE MODULE SO THE SURGING CAN STOP. YOUR CONSIDERATION AND REVIEW WOULD GREATLY BE APPRECIATED. LASTLY, FORTUNATELY I HAVE A 2ND VEHICLE THAT I HAVE BEEN USING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ANTICIPATED REVIEW OF THIS MATTER. YOURS TRULY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
I HAVE FOUND 3 RECALLS FOR MY CAR, THEY ARE ALL THE EXACT PROBLEMS I AM HAVING, BUT WHEN I SEARCHED FOR OPEN RECALLS IT SAID NONE ARE OPEN FOR MY CAR. I NEED MY CAR REPAIRED AND THE RECALLS COMPLETED.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
SINCE PURCHASING 2002 MERCURY COUGAR IN JANUARY 2010 THE VEHICLE HESITATES, SURGES, AND STALLS AT ANY RATE OF SPEED. INITIALLY THE PROBLEM WAS RARE, THEN GRADUALLY OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY. THIS NOW HAPPENS AT LEAST WEEKLY, SOMETIMES SEVERAL TIMES PER DAY. THIS ISSUE HAS ENDANGERED ME MORE TIMES THAN I CAN CURRENTLY RECALL. REPLACED ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, EGR VALVE AND SENSOR, IAC VALVE, AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE ISSUE PERSISTS.
DRIVING ON FREEWAY, CAR NEXT TO ME CAME INTO MY LANE TOWARDS MY CAR, I HIT MY BRAKES RESULTING IN MY VEHICLE SWERVING AND HITTING THE MEDIAN HEAD ON AT HIGH SPEED, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. *TR
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 85,000 MILES UNDER NORMAL OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE. *TR
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. NO ACCIDENT, STATIONARY AND IN MOTION. I DO NOT SEE A RECALL REFERENCE AIRBAG? WITH THE COMPLAINTS I READ ON YOUR SITE ABOUT THE AIRBAGS, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL???????????
THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. UPON STARTING THE CAR, AT THE MOMENT I TURNED THE KEY THE DRIVER SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
SINCE PURCHASING 2002 MERCURY COUGAR IN JANUARY 2010 THE VEHICLE HESITATES, SURGES, AND STALLS AT ANY RATE OF SPEED. INITIALLY THE PROBLEM WAS RARE, THEN GRADUALLY OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY. THIS NOW HAPPENS AT LEAST WEEKLY, SOMETIMES SEVERAL TIMES PER DAY. THIS ISSUE HAS ENDANGERED ME MORE TIMES THAN I CAN CURRENTLY RECALL. REPLACED ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, EGR VALVE AND SENSOR, IAC VALVE, AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE ISSUE PERSISTS.
MY DAUGHTER HAS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR AND IS RISKING HER LIFE AS WELL AS OTHERS LIVES EVERY TIME SHE GETS INSIDE THAT CAR. HER COUGAR HER BEEN HAVING ISSUES FOR MONTHS NOW, AND EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TRYING TO MAKE THE CAR SAFER FOR HER, NOTHING IS WORKING. OUR LAST STRAW WAS THREE DAYS AGO, WHEN THE CAR STALLED ON HER ON THE HIGHWAY. SHE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR, WHEN THE CAR STALLED AND SHUT OFF LEAVING HER STRANDED WAITING FOR THE TOW TRUCK. HER CAR, FOR MONTHS, HAS BEEN SURGING WHILE AT COMPLETE STOPS, AND HAS BEEN SHUTTING OFF WHILE AT A STAND STILL. WE'VE TRIED FIXING MANY THINGS, BUT NOTHING SEEMS TO BE FIXING THE ISSUE. AFTER DOING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH, I HAVE COME TO REALIZE THAT MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. CAN SOMEONE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PLEASE?? ITS CLEARLY AN ON-GOING ISSUE AND IS COSTING PEOPLE LOTS OF MONEY. HER CAR IS CURRENTLY BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR, AND IS UNDERGOING DIAGNOSTICS. WE WERE ALREADY TOLD THAT HER CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, AND WE WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR EVEN MORE WORK, OUT OF POCKET. PLEASE HELP.. WHY WAS IT NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, SEEING THAT IT IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS?! *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:04V421000 MANUFACTURER FORD MOTOR COMPANY WAS DRIVING ON A MAIN CITY ST. MY AUTO STOPPED WITH NO POWER IN THE LEFT LANE OF BUSY 4 LANE ST. WOULD NOT START IN NEUTRAL OR PARK, MAN PUSHED IT INTO THE CTR. LANE OUT OF TRAFFIC AREA. POLICEMAN CAME AFTER I CALLED 911, AFTER A FEW MINUTES HE SUGGESTED TAKING KEY OUT STEPPING ON BRAKE THEN INSERTING KEY BACK IN IGNITION, DID THAT AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP, AND HE FOLLOWED ME TO MY ST. AND I GOT SAFELY HOME. PRIOR TO THIS SHUT DOWN INCIDENT IT HAD STALLED GOING DOWN A HILL HOWEVER PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND IT STARTED UP AGAIN. THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT IT HAD BEEN CUTTING OUT FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS WHICH I THOUGHT WAS CHEAP GAS, SO CHANGED TO TECTRON. I HAVE CALLED FORD ON 3/15 TWICE AND THEY SAID THEY CAN NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, I THEN RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND FOUND THIS SITE AND WANT TO POST EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO ME AS SHOWN BY THE NHTSA ON RECALL ETC. IT DOES SHOW IT IS FOR THE ORIG OWNER, I AM THE 2ND. OWNER HOWEVER THIS HAS OCCURRED WITHIN THE 15YR. LIMITATION YOU HAVE POSTED FOR COMPLAINTS EXPLAINED TO FORD THAT IT MAY HAVE TAKEN THIS LONG FOR THE FILTER TO REACT IN THIS MANNER.
I'M HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH MY 2002 MERCURY COUGAR AS EVERYONE ELSE, BUT WHEN I PUT MY VIN NUMBER INTO THE SEARCH, THERE ARE NO RECALLS LISTED FOR IT. I DON'T THINK THAT ITS RIGHT THAT MY LIFE BE PUT IN SERIOUS DANGER BECAUSE OF AN APPARENT DESIGN ISSUE. THIS CAR IS LOSING ALL POWER AND SHUTTING DOWN. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING, IT HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS. WE THOUGHT THE ALTERNATOR WAS BAD, HAD IT REPLACED AND THE BATTERY AT THE SAME TIME. THE SAME DAY, THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AGAIN AND DIED OUT GOING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. ALL THE GAUGES START GOING CRAZY AND THE LIGHTS DIM AND EVENTUALLY EVERYTHING INCLUDING THE CAR JUST QUITS. MERCURY/FORD, NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS COFFIN THAT I'M TRYING TO DRIVE AND FIX THE PROBLEM FOR ME AND EVERYONE ELSE FOR FREE. I'VE DONE SOME ONLINE RESEARCH ON THIS, AND IT SEEMS LIKE THERE ARE A TON OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM FROM YEARS 99 TO 02. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE SEAT BELT CLIPS WILL NOT CLIP. DEALERSHIP OR MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A 2002 COUGAR WITH 60K MILES AND I'VE ALREADY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP,POWER STEERING PUMP, AND NOW THE HEATER CORE IS CLOGGED. ALTHOUGH LINCOLN/MERCURY IS THE ONLY ONE TO WORK ON THE CAR, THE WARRANTY WONT COVER A CLOG. THEY WILL COVER A LEAK...BUT NOT A CLOGG. HOW ASININE IS THAT? FIDELITY WARRANTY SERVICE IS A JOKE! *NM
6 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR I NOTICED THAT AFTER FUELING THAT THE FUEL GAUGE STILL STAYED ON EMPTY AFTER A WHILE IT CORRECTED ITSELF BUT AFTER THAT NOW EVERYTIME THAT I PUT FUEL IN THE CAR IT REGISTERS EITHER EMPTY OR ONLY HALF FULL. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT COUGARS ARE KNOWN FOR THERI FUEL PUMP PROBLEMS. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE CAR THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG AND TO WATCH AND NOT OVERFILL THE TANK. TO THIS DAY THE FUEL GAUGE IS STILL WRONG. AFTER THAT THE PAINT ON THE HOOD OF THE CAR STARTED PEELING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AFTER SOME HARSH WORDS AND WEEKS OF WAITING THEY TOOK IT IN AND REPAINTED THE HOOD WHICH NOW IS A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT COLOR THAT THE REST OF THE CAR. THEN 6 MONTHS AFTER THAT THE CAR STARTED HESITATING ON ACCELERATION AND WOULD SPIT AND SPLUTTER AND QUIT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY PUT IT ON THE MACHINE AND FOUND THAT A COMPONENT IN THE COMPUTER WAS OUT SO THEY REPLACED IT. THEN ONE DAY AS I WAS DRIVING IT MY BREAK PEDAL WENT ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I ALMOST HIT SEVERAL CARS TRYING TO GET IT STOPPED I HAD IT TAKEN TO A NEARBY GARAGE AND I HAD NO BREAK PADS ON THE FRONT OR THE BACK OF THE CAR ALSO I HAD TO HAVE MY ROTORS REPLACED( WHICH IS NOT COVERED BY A WARRANTY) HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO GRINDING NO WARNING, NOTHING TO INDICATE THAT A CAR WITH ONLY 20,000 MILES ON IT WOULD HAVE BRAKE PROBLEMS. AFTER THOSE WERE FIXED I WAS DRIVING TO CLASS ONE EVENING IN HEAVY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND TURNED TO INTO A PARKING LOT MY STEERING WHEEL IMMEDIATELY MADE THIS LOUD POPPING NOISE AND LOCKED TO THE LEFT AND SENT ME INTO A 360 DEGREE SPIN INTO A CROWDED PARKING LOT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT NOW SITS UNABLE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT WHEELS ARE LOCKED TO THE LEFT WITH NO EXPLANATION OF WHY IT HAPPENED.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE FOUND 3 RECALLS FOR MY CAR, THEY ARE ALL THE EXACT PROBLEMS I AM HAVING, BUT WHEN I SEARCHED FOR OPEN RECALLS IT SAID NONE ARE OPEN FOR MY CAR. I NEED MY CAR REPAIRED AND THE RECALLS COMPLETED.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVING ON FREEWAY, CAR NEXT TO ME CAME INTO MY LANE TOWARDS MY CAR, I HIT MY BRAKES RESULTING IN MY VEHICLE SWERVING AND HITTING THE MEDIAN HEAD ON AT HIGH SPEED, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. *TR
THE CONSUMER WISHES TO REPORT DIFFICULTY WITH BLIND SPOTS WHICH AFFECTS HER VIEW OF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD "THAT THE VEHICLES ARE BEING PULLED DUE TO THESE BLIND SPOTS". SHE HAS HAD SEVERAL CLOSE ENCOUNTERS WITH EITHER HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE OR BEING STRUCK BY ONE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS TS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
THE DRIVER'S SEAT WHEN IN SELECTED POSITION SLIDES BACKWARD AND FORWARD. IT NO LONGER LOCKS IN PLACE, CAUSING EXTREME DIFFICULTIES IN STOPPING AND TURNING. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
6 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR I NOTICED THAT AFTER FUELING THAT THE FUEL GAUGE STILL STAYED ON EMPTY AFTER A WHILE IT CORRECTED ITSELF BUT AFTER THAT NOW EVERYTIME THAT I PUT FUEL IN THE CAR IT REGISTERS EITHER EMPTY OR ONLY HALF FULL. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT COUGARS ARE KNOWN FOR THERI FUEL PUMP PROBLEMS. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE CAR THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG AND TO WATCH AND NOT OVERFILL THE TANK. TO THIS DAY THE FUEL GAUGE IS STILL WRONG. AFTER THAT THE PAINT ON THE HOOD OF THE CAR STARTED PEELING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AFTER SOME HARSH WORDS AND WEEKS OF WAITING THEY TOOK IT IN AND REPAINTED THE HOOD WHICH NOW IS A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT COLOR THAT THE REST OF THE CAR. THEN 6 MONTHS AFTER THAT THE CAR STARTED HESITATING ON ACCELERATION AND WOULD SPIT AND SPLUTTER AND QUIT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY PUT IT ON THE MACHINE AND FOUND THAT A COMPONENT IN THE COMPUTER WAS OUT SO THEY REPLACED IT. THEN ONE DAY AS I WAS DRIVING IT MY BREAK PEDAL WENT ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I ALMOST HIT SEVERAL CARS TRYING TO GET IT STOPPED I HAD IT TAKEN TO A NEARBY GARAGE AND I HAD NO BREAK PADS ON THE FRONT OR THE BACK OF THE CAR ALSO I HAD TO HAVE MY ROTORS REPLACED( WHICH IS NOT COVERED BY A WARRANTY) HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO GRINDING NO WARNING, NOTHING TO INDICATE THAT A CAR WITH ONLY 20,000 MILES ON IT WOULD HAVE BRAKE PROBLEMS. AFTER THOSE WERE FIXED I WAS DRIVING TO CLASS ONE EVENING IN HEAVY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND TURNED TO INTO A PARKING LOT MY STEERING WHEEL IMMEDIATELY MADE THIS LOUD POPPING NOISE AND LOCKED TO THE LEFT AND SENT ME INTO A 360 DEGREE SPIN INTO A CROWDED PARKING LOT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT NOW SITS UNABLE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT WHEELS ARE LOCKED TO THE LEFT WITH NO EXPLANATION OF WHY IT HAPPENED.*AK
ON APPROX. THE 15TH OF MARCH, MY DAUGHTER LOST ALL POWER IN CAR WHILE DRIVING THROUGH LUNCH TRAFFIC IN TOWN AND WAS NEARLY REARENDED BY A PETROLUEM TANKER. WE BROUGHT CAR IN TO DEALERSHIP. THEY RAN A BATTERY TEST AND B/C THAT CAME BACK FINE THEY REFUSED TO DO ANY FURTHER TESTING. SHE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING THE KEY TO TURN OVER TO START CAR. THEY FIXED THAT PROBLEM AT THE SAME TIME. ON THE 15TH OF MAY, THE CAR CAME OUT OF THE SHOP FOR THE 2ND TIME AFTER IT HAD LOST POWER TWICE ON HER WHILE DRIVING AGAIN.HER. THE DEALERSHIP CONTACTED FORD HEADQUARTERS FOR RECALLS. NONE HAD BEEN POSTED, BUT FORD SAID IF THEY CHECK THE FUEL FILTER AT THE BOTTEM OF THE FUEL TANK WE WOULD PROBABLY FIND THE PROBLEM WITH LOSING ALL POWER(BRAKING, STEERING, ECT.) WAS THAT THE FILTER WAS CLOGGED THEREFORE NO GAS WAS GETTING TO THE MOTOR AND THUS THIS WAS WHY THE CAR WAS LOSING POWER. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND SAID THAT WAS A TEMPORARY FIX FOR APPROX THE NEXT 3000 MILES(FOR IT WAS HAPPENING ABOUT EVERY 3000 MILES). AND THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO BRING THE CAR IN EVERY 3000 MILES TO REMAIN SAFE FROM LOSING POWER WHEN IT BECAME CLOGGED AGAIN. WE DECIDED THAT SINCE FORD KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND REFUSED TO DO A RECALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM THAT ANYONE IN MY FAMILY WHO DROVE OR RODE IN THE CAR WOULD BE PUTTING THEIR LIFE IN DANGER SO WE TRIED TO TRADE THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP WANTED US TO PAY A $6,000 DEFICIT SO WE DECIDED TO KEEP THE CAR UNTIL WE COULD COMPLETE THE LEMON LAW PROCESS. THREE WEEKS LATER, MY DAUGHTER STATED SHE HAD GOT REALLY BAD GAS MILEAGE(15 MILES TOOK 1/4 OF A TANK SHE MEASURED IT) THE DAY BEFORE AND SHE WAS AFRAID THAT THE CAR WAS GOING TO LOSE POWER AGAIN. IT WAS A FRIDAY SO THE CAR COULDN'T GO TO THE DEALERSHIP TIL THE FOLLOWING WEEK. THAT NIGHT, THE 6TH OF JUNE.SHE LOST BRAKES AND STEERING WHILE GOING AROUND A CURVE. THE CAR HIT SOMETHING IN THE DITCH AND ROLLED 1.5X'S TO REST UPSIDE DOWN. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.SEATBEAT HELD HER IN CAR.PICTURES OF CAR AND SCENE AVAIL. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A 2002 COUGAR WITH 60K MILES AND I'VE ALREADY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP,POWER STEERING PUMP, AND NOW THE HEATER CORE IS CLOGGED. ALTHOUGH LINCOLN/MERCURY IS THE ONLY ONE TO WORK ON THE CAR, THE WARRANTY WONT COVER A CLOG. THEY WILL COVER A LEAK...BUT NOT A CLOGG. HOW ASININE IS THAT? FIDELITY WARRANTY SERVICE IS A JOKE! *NM
WHILE DRIVING WHEEL LOCKS,(WHICH WHEEL UNKNOWN)WHICH CAUSES THE BRAKE PAD TO WEAR ON ONE SIDE BEFORE THE OTHER(SIDE UNKNOWN). PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. PH *TS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE FIRESTONE FIRE HAWK TIRES ON MY 2002 MERCURY COUGER XR. THE TIRE MODEL NUMBER IS 215-50-17. MY CAR HAS 44,000 MILES ON IT. I BOUGHT IT NEW AND I HAVE HAD 5 FLAT TIRES ON THE FRONT TWO TIRES OF MY CAR. THE REAR TIRES HAVE 44,000 MILES ON THEM. EACH TIME I GET A FLAT TIRE, THE TIRE IS SHREDDED IN THE INSIDE AND I HAVE BEEN LUCKY THAT I WAS DRIVING IN THE CITY NOT GOING VERY FAST. I HAVE BEEN TOLD EVERY TIME THAT MY TIRE PRESSURE MUST BE LOW AND THEREFORE CAUSED A FLAT. I GOT MY 5TH FLAT TIRE IN 4 YRS ON 11/22/07 (THANKSGIVING). MY TIRES HAD JUST BEEN CHECK WHEN I GOT MY OIL CHANGE TWO WEEKS BEFORE, BUT I STILL GOT A FLAT TIRE. I HAD JUST BEEN DRIVING ON A HWY GOING 65MPH AND I AM THANKFUL IT DIDN'T HAPPEN THEN, I AM DISABLED AND THE ROAD I HAD BEEN DRIVING ON WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE. SOON AFTER I RETURN TO TOWN I GOT A FLAT TIRE. MY HUSBAND WAS THEN IN THE CAR WITH ME. I TOOK THE TIRE IN TO POMPS TIRES THE SAME PLACE I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN THEM, AND THE TIRE WAS AGAIN SHREDDED. I AM NOT SURE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM BUT I TRULY THINK THESE TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS. *TR
SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW IN SEPTEMBER 2003, THE TIRES HAVE BEEN A CONSTANT BATTLE. NOW AS THE CAR HAS REACHED 16,000 MILES, ONE TIRE HAS FAILED COMPLETELY, WHILE TWO OTHERS ARE NOT IN GREAT CONDITION.*AK 3 TIRES HAVE BEEN PUNCTURED BY SMALL ROUND PEBBLES FOUND CLOSE TO MY HOME. ONE TIRE THE STEEL BELT ACTUALLY SNAPPED ON THE FREEWAY, CAUSING MINOR TREAD SEPERATION AND INSTANT PRESSURE LOSS. THE INCIDENT WAS CONTROLLABLE AND TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT, RESULTING IN NO ACCIDENT. I HAVE CONTACTED BF GOODRICH ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH TIRES AND THEY ONLY OFFER TO REPLACE ONE AT A TIME WHEN THEY COMPLETELY FAIL. THEN THEY WILL ONLY GIVE 50% OFF ON ONE NEW TIRE. THE TIRES ARE OEM ON 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. BFGOODRICH COMP/TA P215/50R16 89V I REALLY FEEL IF ONE HAS ALREADY HAD A COMPLETE FAILURE AT 16,000 MILES AND THE OTHERS HAVE THERE OWN PROBLEMS, THAT A SECOND FAILURE IS POSSIBLE. MAYBE WITH WORSE RESULTS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS DIMMED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE PROTECTED WIRING COVER WAS DETERIORATING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.
I'M HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH MY 2002 MERCURY COUGAR AS EVERYONE ELSE, BUT WHEN I PUT MY VIN NUMBER INTO THE SEARCH, THERE ARE NO RECALLS LISTED FOR IT. I DON'T THINK THAT ITS RIGHT THAT MY LIFE BE PUT IN SERIOUS DANGER BECAUSE OF AN APPARENT DESIGN ISSUE. THIS CAR IS LOSING ALL POWER AND SHUTTING DOWN. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING, IT HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS. WE THOUGHT THE ALTERNATOR WAS BAD, HAD IT REPLACED AND THE BATTERY AT THE SAME TIME. THE SAME DAY, THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AGAIN AND DIED OUT GOING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. ALL THE GAUGES START GOING CRAZY AND THE LIGHTS DIM AND EVENTUALLY EVERYTHING INCLUDING THE CAR JUST QUITS. MERCURY/FORD, NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS COFFIN THAT I'M TRYING TO DRIVE AND FIX THE PROBLEM FOR ME AND EVERYONE ELSE FOR FREE. I'VE DONE SOME ONLINE RESEARCH ON THIS, AND IT SEEMS LIKE THERE ARE A TON OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM FROM YEARS 99 TO 02. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE FOUND 3 RECALLS FOR MY CAR, THEY ARE ALL THE EXACT PROBLEMS I AM HAVING, BUT WHEN I SEARCHED FOR OPEN RECALLS IT SAID NONE ARE OPEN FOR MY CAR. I NEED MY CAR REPAIRED AND THE RECALLS COMPLETED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .