20 of the
127 complaints about the 2002 Mercury Cougar are about the
engine — 16% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
87,300 miles.
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
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
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 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
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.
at 126,000 milesAkron, OH
ENGINE
THE CAR GETS A STALLING SENSATION WHEN AT A RED LIGHT, OR A COMPLETE STANDSTILL. IT FEELS LIKE ITS STUTTERING AND UNABLE TO KEEP POWER. CHANGED EGR VALVE, 2 IDLE CONTROL CHANGES, ALONG WITH A TRANSMISSION FLUSH WAS DONE. NOTHING SEEMS TO BE FIXING THE ISSUE. THE CAR ACTS UP AND STALLS IN COLD TEMPERATURES. STALLED AT A RED LIGHT TWICE. HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DIFFERENT CAR SHOPS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. NO ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON.
NHTSA complaint #10560461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,600 milesPlano, TX
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE BATTERY, ENGINE, AND OIL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,600.
NHTSA complaint #10536556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 milesFairburn, GA
ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 COUGAR AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE FUEL LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE VEHICLE SURGING WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP. I CONTACTED THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MY LOCAL DEALER AND THE ONLY RESOLUTION HE COULD PROVIDE ME WAS TO HAVE A TECHNICIAN DRIVE IT AND SEE IF IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. EVEN THOUGH I EXPLAINED THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ISSUE BY OTHER DRIVERS ON LINE, HE SAID THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO. MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL "BATCH" OF VEHICLES. I COULD PAY THE $100 DIAG FEE IN THE EVENT MY VEHICLE DOES NOT REPEAT THE COMPLAINT. EITHER WAY, I WOULD BE PAYING FOR THE REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET.
NHTSA complaint #10467028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesElsmere, KY
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 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 complaint #10426767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesFT. Myers, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
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 complaint #10243936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,000 milesLeonia, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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
NHTSA complaint #10231582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Victorville, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE HESITATES AS IF THERE IS NO GAS FLOW. THE DEALER STATED THAT A DIAGNOSIS WAS NEEDED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT A PREVIOUS DIAGNOSIS DID NOT FIND ANY FAILURES. THE REPAIR SHOP CHANGED THE ENGINE OIL, REPLACED THE FILTER, AND CLEANED THE FUEL INJECTION, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NUMBER 04N02. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND DEALER INFORMATION WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,881.
NHTSA complaint #10213278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,500 milesBlue Springs, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
LOSS OF POWER, SURGING, SO I TOOK TO DEALER THEY CHANGED FUEL PUMP SUPPOSEDLY AND FILTER AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. ONE WEEK LATER I TOOK IT BACK BECAUSE IT CONTINUED TO DO THE SAME, THEY SAID THEY CHECKED A WIRE TO FUEL PUMP AND CHANGED A SPARK PLUG, AND HERE IT IS ANOTHER WEEK WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS.
NHTSA complaint #10206826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 44,900 milesDover, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
NO PROBLEMS OR INDICATORS OF ANY PROBLEMS OR ISSUES. WAS DRIVING VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY AND CAR LOSS POWER. WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO SIDE OF ROAD. HAD VEHICLE EXAMINED AND WAS TOLD THE ENGINE SEIZED. HAD SECOND OPINION, AND MECHANIC DRAINED THE OIL AND SAID THERE WAS METAL SHAVINGS IN OIL, COULD NOT GIVE REASON AS TO WHAT CAUSED ENGINE TO LOCK UP. HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. WARRANTY EXPIRED. WAS TOLD FORD WOULD NOT COVER. HAD LESS THAN 45,000 MILES ON VEHICLE - THIS IS A DEFECTIVE OR MISBUILT MOTOR.
NHTSA complaint #10155409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,500 milesGoodman, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
ONCE THE CONSUMER IS INSIDE THE VEHICLE SHE CAN STRONGLY SMELL GAS FUMES. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10048161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Johnstown, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HESITATED BETWEEN GEARS AT ANY SPEED. SERVICE TECHNICIAN COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10031761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesSAN Antonio, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED 12 TIMES AT HIGH SPEEDS AND RESULTS IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND TWICE HAS RESULTED IN LOSS OF ALL ELECTRICAL POWER INCLUDING HEADLIGHTS.
NHTSA complaint #10014166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coachella, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT RESTART AT ALL PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint #10004178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Anacoco, LACrash1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #764227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.