Owners have filed 127 complaints
about the 2002 Mercury Cougar with NHTSA between 2002 and 2020.
The largest single group is the fuel & propulsion.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 9 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 28
Against the median year of the Mercury Cougar. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
26.8% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 32
19% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Fuel Pump
1642.1%
Automatic Transmission
718.4%
Engine
37.9%
Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
37.9%
Frontal
37.9%
Accelerator Pedal
25.3%
Body
25.3%
Buckle Assembly
25.3%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
11.0%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
44.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
1010.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
1010.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
2727.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
2525.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
1717.0%
150,000+ miles
66.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jul 2002peak 6Feb 2020
Recalls on the 2002 Mercury Cougar
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
08E033000
SUSPENSION
FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Risk: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
06E022000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.
Risk: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
04V421000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
Risk: 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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 125,000 milesBrookville, IN1 injured
AIR BAGS
THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. UPON STARTING THE CAR, AT THE MOMENT I TURNED THE KEY THE DRIVER SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #11110237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesVancouver, WACrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
NHTSA complaint #10673086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesVancouver, WACrash
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10673086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 142,000 milesDenver, COFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, SHE WAS NOTIFIED BY ANOTHER DRIVER THAT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE CONTACT BEGAN TO COAST ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND REMOVED A CHILD PASSENGER FROM THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A JUNK FACILITY. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.
NHTSA complaint #10615966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesKansas City, MOCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN A DRIVEWAY, THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE IN THE ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DECELERATE EVEN AS THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE FAILURE AND CRASHED INTO A HOUSE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED LEFT WRIST. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE FRONT END DAMAGES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A POLICE IMPOUND LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ACCELERATION FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
NHTSA complaint #10548123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 86,000 milesParma, OHCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED VIA AMBULANCE TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. SHE WAS NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT AND SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY AND RECEIVED STITCHES TO HER LIP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 86,000. *UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF THE CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW WAS THERE A MALFUNCTION WITH THE AIR BAGS? UPDATED 12/12/07
NHTSA complaint #10205706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 144,000 milesPensacola, FL
AIR BAGS
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???????????
NHTSA complaint #11309840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 14,308 milesLancaster, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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).
NHTSA complaint #11152377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesBrookville, IN1 injured
AIR BAGS
THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. UPON STARTING THE CAR, AT THE MOMENT I TURNED THE KEY THE DRIVER SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #11110237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Decatur, AR
POWER TRAIN
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.
NHTSA complaint #11074669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Decatur, AR
SUSPENSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #11074669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Decatur, AR
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11074669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 153,000 milesMarietta, GA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY CAR WAS STOLEN
NHTSA complaint #11032625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 165,000 milesAbilene, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10994500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesPrescott, AZ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10966151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesPrescott, AZ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10966151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesPrescott, AZ
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10966151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesClarksville, TN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10724633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesClarksville, TN
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10724633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesClarksville, TN
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10724633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesVancouver, WACrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
NHTSA complaint #10673086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesVancouver, WACrash
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10673086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 179,225 milesLeavenworth, KS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10668046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 179,225 milesLeavenworth, KS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10668046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 179,225 milesLeavenworth, KS
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10668046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 29,000 milesClarksville, TN
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.
NHTSA complaint #10643691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 142,000 milesDenver, COFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, SHE WAS NOTIFIED BY ANOTHER DRIVER THAT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE CONTACT BEGAN TO COAST ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND REMOVED A CHILD PASSENGER FROM THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A JUNK FACILITY. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.
NHTSA complaint #10615966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesOlathe, KS
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A KNOCKING NOISE AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #10596606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesGermantown, MD
ENGINE
I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND ABOUT ONE MILE FROM MY DESTINATION THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED. I LET IT SIT ABOUT TWENTY MINUTES AND IT FINALLY STARTED AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL DAYS OF SHUTTING OFF WHILE I WAS ON THE ROAD DRIVING. LUCKILY I WAS AT A PLACE WHEN I COULD PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND GET OUT OF THE LINE OF TRAFFIC EXCEPT FOR ONE TIME WHEN I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND IT SHUT OFF AND I SAT AND WAIT AND IT FINALLY STARTED AGAIN AND I WAS ABLE DRIVE IT TO A SAFE SPOT. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THE COMPUTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE ONLY PLACE THAT COULD REPLACE THE COMPUTER WAS THE DEALER. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND AFTER BEING AT THE DEALER FOR THREE DAYS THEY SAID THAT THE IGNITION NEED REPLACING. THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION AND AFTER THREE MORE DAYS THERE AND WHILE THEY WERE WORKING ON OTHER REPAIR PARTS THAT THEY SAID I NEEDED DONE THE ENGINE SHUT OFF ABOUT TWO MORE TIMES. ON MARCH 13, 2014 THEY TOLD ME THAT ALL REPAIR WORK HAD BEEN COMPLETED AND THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF WAS SOLVED. THE TOTAL BILL CAME TO CLOSE TO $3,000.00. I AM PLANNING ON PICKING UP THE VEHICLE ON MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014 WHEN I WILL HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY THEM. I HEARD ABOUT CARS ENGINES SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE RADIO (WTOP). I JUST WANTED TO REPORT HOW MY VEHICLE WAS HAVING THE SAME OR SIMILAR PROBLEM. I AM A BIT NERVOUS ABOUT DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IF THIS COULD POSSIBLE HAPPEN AGAIN. THE RADIO REPORT WAS ABOUT GM VEHICLES I HAVE A MERCURY AND THIS HAPPENED TO MY CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10569334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 126,000 milesAkron, OH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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?!
NHTSA complaint #10560713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 126,000 milesAkron, OH
ENGINE
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?!
NHTSA complaint #10560713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.