2002 Mercury Cougar

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2007· 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.

• 12/30/2004· TIRES

  I LEFT MY AUTOMOBILE, 2002 MERCURY SABLE, AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR ITS 25,000 MILE MAINTENANCE AND ASKED THEM TO LOOK AT THE FRONT END AS IT WAS SHIMMERING OVER 40 MPH. I WAS TOLD THAT ALL FOUR TIRE WALLS WERE CRACKING AND THAT THE TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED AT MY COST LESS ALLOWANCE. I WAS FURIOUS AND CALLED SEVERAL PEOPLE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THE TIRE COMPANY TO COMPLAIN. THE TIRE COMPANY TOLD ME THAT CRACKED SIDEWALLS WERE COVERED IN THE WARRANTY AND IF IT WAS NOT THE TIRES SHOULD BE REPLACED AT NO COST TO ME. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THIS WAS NOT COVERED YET AFTER I CALLED THE TIRE COMPANY THE SAID THAT SOME OF THE MANAGEMENT PEOPLE AT THE DEALERSHIP LEARNED OF MY PROBLEM AND GAVE THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ORDERS TO REPLACE THE TIRES AT NO COST WITHOUT CALLING THE TIRE COMPANY. THEY ALSO SPECIFIED THAT THE TIRES WOULD HAVE TO BE SHIPPED BACK TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THE WHOLE THING SMELLS OF A COVER-UP BECAUSE OF THE IMMEDIATE TURN AROUND AT THE DEALERSHIP WHEN I MENTIONED A LAWSUIT. ALL FOUR OF THESE TIRES COULD HAVE BLOWN ONE AT A TIME OR TOGETHER CAUSING INJURY AND I DO NOT FEEL GOOD ABOUT THIS. *AK

• 12/30/2003· POWER TRAIN

  TOTAL FAILURE OF THE 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION AT 4046 MILES. DEALER REFUSED REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY, AS DID FORD. SAID CAR WAS ABUSED WITH NO APPARENT VISABLE DAMGE TO CAR

• 12/29/2004· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  I RECENTLY HAD MY BACK HALFWAY HATCH ON MY 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER TO FALL ON ITS ON FROM NO APPARENT REASON. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, UPON TALKING WITH THE CUSTOMER SERVICE SPECIALIST'S WAS SAID IT WOULD HAVE TO BE AN OUT OF POCKET REPAIR. HOWEVER THIS HAD HAPPEN AT NO FAULT TO ME. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS A WARRANTY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH NO CHARGE TO ME. THE CSS ALSO SAID IT WOULD PROBABLY COST ME RIGHT AT 5 TO 6 HUNDRED DOLLARS. I EVEN HAD PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT IT SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE USELESS. PLEASE HELP. THANKS. P.S. I AM NOT CERTAIN ABOUT THE EXACT DAY OF THE BREAKAGE BUT IT WAS NEAR THE FOLLOWING DAY. *NM

• 12/28/2007· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AFTER IT WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP CAUSED THE FAILURE. AS OF DECEMBER 28, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 45,000.

• 12/23/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,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. *TR

• 12/09/2002· SUSPENSION

  THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS, THE FRONT SWAY BAR BUSHINGS HAD TO REPLACED, HOWEVER PRIOR TO THE THIRD REPLACEMENT, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ENDED IN A DITCH. PH *JB

• 12/08/2005· SEAT BELTS

  DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE SEAT BELT CLIPS WILL NOT CLIP. DEALERSHIP OR MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

• 12/08/2004· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  FORD WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION AT THEIR 1-866-436-7332 NUMBER REGARDING THE CURRENT STATUS OF WHEN PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR RECALL # 04S20 - MERCURY MOUNTAINEER REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW. THE LETTER SENT IN EARLY OCTOBER SAID THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN LATE NOVEMBER. TWICE WHEN I ASKED TODAY TO SPEAK TO A SUPERVISOR, I WAS PUT ON HOLD & DISCONNECTED. *JB

• 12/01/2009· 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 THE FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 12/30/09*JB

• 11/30/2007· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHUTTERED RAPIDLY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLED. THE LOCAL DEALER RESET THE P-CODES. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

• 11/30/2004· TIRES

  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.

• 11/28/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  NOTICED A STRONGE SMELL OF GAS IN OUR GARAGE. WHEN WE BACKED OUT THERE WAS A LARGE SPOT ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. WE THEN GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND SMELLED THE LIQUID. IT WAS GAS WE THEN LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS A LIQUID DRIPING. AS WE CONTINUED TO INVESTAGATE IT WAS CLEAR THAT GAS WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE TANK. THE SEAL ALONG WITH THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK WERE SATURATED WITH A DARK GASOLINE SMELLING LIQUID. WE THEN CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A MERCURY DEALER. WE ALSO WERE INSTRUCTED NOT TO DRIVE IT.AFTER THE VEHICLE ARRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP WE PROCEDED TO FIND A VEHICLE SAME MADE MODLE AND YEAR. AT THAT POINT WE LOOKED UNDER THAT VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE SEAL LOOKED DIFFERNT. IT LOOKED AS IF EVERYTHING WAS CONNECTED UNLIKE OUR VEHICLE WHICH LOOKED LIKE TWO PIECES PUT TOGETHER WITH A YELLOW RING AROUND IT HOLDING THE GAS LINE TO THE GAS TANK. OUR VEHICLE IS NOW SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP WAITNG FOR SOMEONE TO INVESTIGATE THE SITUATION. WE FEEL THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND A SAFETY HAZARD WHICH COULD EASILY CAUSE INJURY AND OR DEATH BY THE FACT THAT GASOLINE IS FLAMABLE!!!!!!!!! WE WILL NOT PUT OUR FAMILY IN THIS POSTION AGAIN BY DRIVING THIS UNSAFE VEHICLE!!!!!!*AK

• 11/27/2007· TIRES

  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

• 11/23/2006· POWER TRAIN

  VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING POORLY AND SUDDENLY SAME DAY, REVERSE WILL NOT ENGAGE, ALSO NO 1ST OR 2ND GEAR WORKING. *JB

• 11/20/2006· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  I OWN A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR VIN[XXX]. IN 2/06 MY CAR BEGAN TO INTERMITTENTLY HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING. OVER A FEW WEEK'S TIME, THE PROBLEM WORSENED TO THE POINT THAT THE CAR WOULD HESITATE, THEN SURGE AHEAD, AND COULDN'T BE CONTROLLED. ON 3/7/06, I WAS DRIVING ON I-95 IN S. FLA., AND MY CAR HESITATED AND SURGED IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE SURGING CAUSED A NEAR MISS WITH THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. THE CAR SPUTTERED AND I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE. ON THE SHOULDER, THE CAR BACKFIRED, THEN SHUT OFF. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION, WAITED 15 MINUTES, THEN RESTARTED THE CAR. THE ENGINE RAN, SO I CONTINUED ON MY WAY. WITHIN 15 MINUTES, THE HESITATION AND SURGING STARTED AGAIN. AT THIS POINT, I DROVE STRAIGHT HOME. ALONG THE WAY, THE CAR SHUT OFF 3 MORE TIMES. ONCE HOME, I CONTACTED MY DEALER, MAROONE LINCOLN MERCURY IN N. PALM BEACH, FLA. THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY RECALL, AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. I THEN CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY WHO MADE NOTE OF MY COMPLAINT AND TOLD ME OF A SAFETY BULLETIN FOR THE 2002 MERCURY COUGAR FUEL DELIVERY MODULE. HOWEVER, I WAS TOLD MY CAR WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNDER THE SAFETY CAMPAIGN BULLETIN. I CONTACTED A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, WYNN PERFORMANCE IN BELLE GLADE, FLA. FOR THEIR DIAGNOSIS. WYNN PERFORMANCE VERIFIED THAT MY CAR WAS HESITATING AND SURGING AND THAT A SAFETY BULLETIN EXISTED FOR MY CAR'S MODEL YEAR. WYNN PERFORMANCE OBTAINED A GENUINE FORD MOTOR COMPANY FUEL DELIVERY MODULE AND REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE UNIT. THE TECHNICIAN POINTED OUT THAT THE OLD MODULE AND THE NEW UNIT HAD SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES IN DESIGN. I TESTED THE CAR AND WAS SATISFIED THAT IT WORKED CORRECTLY. TO THIS DAY, MY CAR DOES NOT SURGE OR HESITATE. REPLACING THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM, BUT I INCURRED MORE THAN $400 IN OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES FOR THE SAFETY UPGRADE. I AM UPSET THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND MAROONE LINCOLN MERCURY DISREGARDED MY SAFETY AND IGNORED THEIR BULLETIN. *NM *JS

• 11/19/2018· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  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

• 11/18/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ONCE THE CONSUMER IS INSIDE THE VEHICLE SHE CAN STRONGLY SMELL GAS FUMES. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

• 11/10/2005· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  DT: THE CONTACT STATED FUEL PUMP FAILED AND HE HAD IT REPLACED ONCE. THERE WAS NHTSA 04V421000. HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HIM THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THIS VEHICLE DUE TO VIN. *AK

• 10/31/2005· VISIBILITY

  DT: CONTACT STATED THE HEATER BLOWER DISCONNECTED FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALER SAID THE BLOWER MOVED FROM THE ATTACHMENT GROOVES, CAUSING IT TO DISCONNECT. THE SERVICE DEALER RECONNECTED THE BLOWER. THIS CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. *AK

• 10/31/2002· STRUCTURE

  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

• 10/24/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  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. *TR

• 10/24/2005· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS RECALL 04V4210000 CONCERNING FUEL PUMP FAILURE FOR THE YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL OF VEHICLE, BUT, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE CAR WAS LEAKING AS THOUGH IT WAS RUNNING OUT OF GASOLINE. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER. THIS DID REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER CONCLUDED THAT THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.*AK

• 10/16/2013· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  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.

• 10/15/2007· AIR BAGSCrash

  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 *TR

• 10/12/2004· STEERING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,VISIBILITY,EQUIPMENT

  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

• 10/10/2017· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  MY CAR WAS STOLEN

• 10/09/2014· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  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.

• 10/05/2005· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED INTERMITTENTLY FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER. WHILE THE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. NONE OF THE WARNING INDICATORS INFORMED THE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER THAT THE ENGINE WAS GOING TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART, IT WAS TOWED HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP ,AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND THERE WAS NO GASOLINE FLOWING TO THE ENGINE. RECALL 04V421000 HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL, BUT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. *SC *AK

• 10/01/2005· POWER TRAIN

  I PURCHASED THIS 2002 MERCURY COUGAR 9 DAYS AGO AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED HESITATING IN OVERDRIVE, SO I TURNED O/D OFF AND IT WAS FINE. WHEN I GOT HOME I TRIED TO PUT IT IN REVERSE AND IT WOULDN'T MOVE. I TRIED TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND IT MOVED FORWARD. I RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT I WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE, I HAVE SEEN REPEATED ACCOUNTS OF THIS SAME A/T FAILURE ON THIS SAME YEAR & MODEL ON THE INTERNET INCLUDING THIS SAME COMPLAINT FORUM. I ALSO DISCOVERED THIS WAS A RESULT OF MERCURY'S POOR ENGINEERING IN THE OVERDRIVE GEAR, AND THE PLASTIC VALVE BOX (USED FOR GEAR SELECTION) INSIDE THE TRANS AXLE. I WOULD APPRECIATE MERCURY MOTOR COMPANY PAYING FOR THE REPAIRS. I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED A VEHICLE TO EXPECT COSTLY REPAIRS DUE TO ENGINEERING MISTAKE OR POOR DESIGN. *NM

• 09/29/2008· 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 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.

• 09/29/2007· AIR BAGSCrash

  MY DAUGHTER HIT THE BACK OF A SCHOOL BUS IN MAY OF 2006 IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. LAST NIGHT SHE BARELY SCRAPED HER RIM ON A CURB AND BOTH AIR BAGS WENT OFF AND CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. THIS MUST HAVE BEEN FAULTY AIR BAGS FROM THE START BECAUSE THEY SHOULD HAVE WENT OFF IN THE FRONT END COLLISION SHE HAD, AND SHOULD NOT OF RELEASED WHEN SHE HIT HER RIM ON A CURB. *TR

• 09/22/2011· 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.

• 09/18/2003· POWER TRAIN

  WE WERE DRIVING OUR VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE CAR STARTED TO HESITATE THEN ACCELERATE FAST IT DID THIS 6 TIMES. WE STOPPED AT A STORE AND PULLED IN FORWARD WHEN WE CAME BACK OUT AND STARTED THE CAR THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO THE REVERSE POSITION. THE CAR SOME HOW WAS FROZEN INTO DRIVE EVEN IF YOU PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL. NOW OUR CAR IS AT ANOTHER DEALERSHIP WITH NO EXPLANATION WHY OR HOW THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED. *JB

• 09/17/2009· 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

• 09/14/2004· POWER TRAIN

  BOUGHT THE CAR IN 12/02 AND IN 7/04 ALMOST WHEN THE WARRANTY IS OVER THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. I WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET AND MY CAR HESITATED TO GO WHEN I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL, WHEN IT FINALLY GRABBED THE GEAR IT JERKED ME TWICE. THE FOLLOWING DAY IT DIED ON ME AND IT WOULD DRIVE OR GO ON REVERSE. IT'S BEEN ON THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES SINCE 7/04 WITH MILEAGE OF 33,000. NEW CAR WARRANTY IS OVER IN 12/04 OR 35,000. NOT A GOOD CAR. IT'S BEEN DISCONTINUED. NO WONDER.

• 09/07/2005· TIRES

  LAST NIGHT WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE TREADS ON OUR TIRE CAME COMPLETELY OFF. THIS CAUSED OUR VEHICLE TO SWERVE BADLY INTO THE LANE NEXT TO US. FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO CARS IN THAT LANE AT THE TIME. THIS COULD OF BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF A VEHICLE WAS IN THAT LANE AT THE TIME. SO WE PULLED OVER AND CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE. *JB

• 09/06/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH AND WITH NO WARNING ENGINE COOLANT HOSE CLAMP CAME OFF, CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK OUT. THEN, ENGINE WILL START TO LOSE POWER,MAKING IT TO BE HARD TO CONTROL VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

• 08/24/2012· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 10/11/12*LJ UPDATED 10/16/2012 *JS

• 08/21/2013· 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.

• 08/20/2003· VISIBILITY

  PURCHASED VEHICLE JANUARY 2003. IN MARCH AND MAY TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP FOR DRIVER SIDE WINDOW LEAK. SEAL REPLACED BOTH TIMES. IN JULY TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR WINDOW LEAKS TO BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. THEY REPLACED BOTH SEAL TRIM PIECE, RETAINER ASSY. SIDE RAILS AND SEALED WITH SILICONE. CAR IS STILL LEAKING ON BOTH SIDES. *AK

• 08/18/2004· SEATS,EQUIPMENT

  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

• 08/17/2011· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,028.

• 08/13/2007· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  MY CAR IS HESITATING, WITH SURGING AND LOSS OF POWER, JUST AS THE "RECALL" STATES. HOWEVER, UPON CALLING FORD AND DEALERSHIPS, I FIND OUT THAT ALTHOUGH THE RECALL THAT HAS BEEN ISSUED IS FOR MY CAR AND HAS THE EXACT PROBLEMS THAT ARE STATED, ACCORDING TO FORD THERE IS NO RECALL AND IT WILL NOT BE FIXED. *TR

• 08/12/2004· FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

  THE PLASTIC TUBE THAT RUNS FROM "VMV" VALVE THROUGH TH ESTEEL LINE TO THE FUEL TANK (WHICH HOUSES THE GAS EMISSIONS) IS RUPTURED. ACCORDING TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THIS IS A FAULTY DESIGN BY THE MANUFACTURER (LINCOLN-MERCURY) THAT AFTER THE TUBE IS REPLACED, IT WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN BECAUSE IT WILL RUB AGAINST THE OXYGEN SENSOR PLUG WHICH GETS VERY HOT.

• 08/05/2008· 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 MILEAGES WERE 66,600.

• 08/01/2004· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, AIR,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  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

• 07/31/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HESITATED BETWEEN GEARS AT ANY SPEED. SERVICE TECHNICIAN COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *PH

• 07/27/2007· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  I DISCOVERED INFO REGARDING RECALL ON MY 2002 MERCURY COUGAR FUEL SYSTEM ON LINE AFTER RESEARCHING SLUGGISHNESS AND EGR FAILURE IN EMISSIONS TEST. I CALLED FORD FOR INFO ON RECALL AND DISCOVERED THEY WILL NOT HONOR IT ON MY VEHICLE. *JB

• 07/24/2014· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEFire

  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.