MYRModel Year Report

2002 Mercury Cougar

● Typical for this model
2002 Mercury Cougar
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:53:41.679Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
95
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Fuel system, gasoline

43% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 17 complaints 1985: 10 complaints 1986: 13 complaints 1986 1987: 33 complaints 1988: 55 complaints 1989: 84 complaints 1989 1990: 86 complaints 1991: 73 complaints 1992: 92 complaints 1992 1993: 198 complaints 1994: 145 complaints 1995: 109 complaints 1995 1996: 62 complaints 1997: 76 complaints 1998: 1 complaint 1998 1999: 454 complaints 2000: 211 complaints 2001: 82 complaints 2002: 95 complaints 2002 95
1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1982 1983: 2 complaints 1984: 17 complaints 1984 1985: 10 complaints 1986: 13 complaints 1986 1987: 33 complaints 1988: 55 complaints 1988 1989: 84 complaints 1990: 86 complaints 1990 1991: 73 complaints 1992: 92 complaints 1992 1993: 198 complaints 1994: 145 complaints 1994 1995: 109 complaints 1996: 62 complaints 1996 1997: 76 complaints 1998: 1 complaint 1998 1999: 454 complaints 2000: 211 complaints 2000 2001: 82 complaints 2002: 95 complaints 2002 95
1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1981 1982: 2 complaints 1982 1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 17 complaints 1984 1985: 10 complaints 1985 1986: 13 complaints 1986 1987: 33 complaints 1987 1988: 55 complaints 1988 1989: 84 complaints 1989 1990: 86 complaints 1990 1991: 73 complaints 1991 1992: 92 complaints 1992 1993: 198 complaints 1993 1994: 145 complaints 1994 1995: 109 complaints 1995 1996: 62 complaints 1996 1997: 76 complaints 1997 1998: 1 complaint 1998 1999: 454 complaints 1999 2000: 211 complaints 2000 2001: 82 complaints 2001 2002: 95 complaints 2002 95

2002: 95 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19802
19810
19822
19832
198417
198510
198613
198733
198855
198984
199086
199173
199292
1993198
1994145
1995109
199662
199776
19981
1999454
2000211
200182
200295

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Fuel system, gasoline

43% · 41 reports

Most commonly citing fuel pump and delivery.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-07-24

Power train

12% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

Show complaint excerpts

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 ODI report, 2018-02-24

Also filed under Suspension

Engine and engine cooling

12% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing engine and exhaust system.

CRASHINJURY

Engine

9% · 9 reports
CRASH

Air bags

7% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The car was parked in my driveway. Upon starting the car, at the moment I turned the key the driver seat airbag deployed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-07-09

During a frontal collision a air bags faile dto deploy, resulting in driver sustaining injuries. Ph...

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-01-16

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-07-17

Also filed under Electrical system and steering

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2004-04-16Fuel system, gasoline04V421000 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.

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2006-03-20Service brakes, hydraulic06E022000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2008-05-22Suspension08E033000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Mercury Cougar — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Fuel system, gasoline: 41 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 11 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 11 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V421000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 06E022000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 08E033000 · Suspension
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2002 Mercury Cougar reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Mercury Cougar is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mercury Cougar?
The most-reported component is fuel system, gasoline, accounting for 43% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Mercury Cougar have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.