VehicleVerdict

2002 Mercury Cougar problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 127 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 42.3 times the median Cougar year — the 2002 model ranks #6 of 37 Cougar years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 21 injuries in total across these filings.

Fuel System leads the complaint categories with 49 reports (39% of the total).

127

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

16

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

21

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Cougar years?

Cougar NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted740 complaints1962: 1 complaints1967: 0 complaints1968: 0 complaints1969: 0 complaints1970: 0 complaints1971: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 3 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 2 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 3 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 2 complaints1983: 2 complaints1984: 25 complaints1985: 22 complaints1986: 20 complaints1987: 49 complaints1988: 72 complaints1989: 104 complaints1990: 104 complaints1991: 98 complaints1992: 122 complaints1993: 236 complaints1994: 178 complaints1995: 160 complaints1996: 77 complaints1997: 112 complaints1998: 1 complaints1999: 740 complaints2000: 283 complaints2001: 103 complaints2002: 127 complaints
Cougar NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cougar years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Mercury Cougar problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System4939%
Engine2016%
Transmission119%
Airbags76%
Visibility & Wipers65%
Electrical System54%
Speed Control43%
Tires & Wheels43%
Other43%
Seat Belts32%
Suspension32%
Steering32%
Brakes22%
Lighting22%
Body & Structure22%
Seats11%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 2002 Mercury Cougar have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08E033000SuspensionApril 14, 2008 · 6,903 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.

06E022000BrakesMarch 13, 2006 · 7,440 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.

04V421000Fuel SystemAugust 30, 2004 · 88,600 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

THIS ACTION IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN AND IS NOT BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE SAFETY ACT. ALL OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FDM WITH A NEW DESIGN AT NO CHARGE IF THE OWNER REPORTS THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITS ANY OF THE IDENTIFIED SYMPTOMS. THE FREE REPLACEMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, WITH NO MILEAGE LIMIT. THE CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON APRIL 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 23, 2014 · fire

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 16, 2015 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 13, 2003

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · May 5, 2006 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · August 19, 2003

2002 Mercury Cougar — common questions

Is the 2002 Mercury Cougar reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 127 complaints put the 2002 model at #6 of 37 Cougar years. It is one of the Cougar years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 Cougar problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (49 complaints), engine (20 complaints), transmission (11 complaints).

Does the 2002 Mercury Cougar have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Mercury Cougar. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mercury Cougar years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Cougar years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2002, 1992, 1997, 1989, 1990, 2001, 1991, 1996, 1988, 1987. The cleanest record among Cougar years belongs to 1981.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.