MYRModel Year Report

2002 Mercury Cougar

● Typical for this model
2002 Mercury Cougar
RENDERED 2026-09-17T01:18:40.748Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Mercury Cougar Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2002 highlighted. 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 complaints 1998 1999: 454 complaints 2000: 211 complaints 2001: 82 complaints 2001 2002: 95 complaints 2002
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%

43% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 41 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing fuel pump and delivery.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20140724

POWER TRAIN 12%

12% of complaints: power train — 11 distinct reports on file, 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, 20180224

Also filed under SUSPENSION

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12%

12% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 11 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and exhaust system.

CRASH INJURY
ENGINE 9%

9% of complaints: engine — 9 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
AIR BAGS 7%

7% of complaints: air bags — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20180709

DURING A FRONTAL COLLISION A AIR BAGS FAILE DTO DEPLOY, RESULTING IN DRIVER SUSTAINING INJURIES. PH...*AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20030116

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, 20020717

Also filed under ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and STEERING

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20040416 — 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.

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

Campaign 04V421000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060320 — 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 BRAN

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 1-800-32

Campaign 06E022000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20080522 — 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 WIT

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.

Campaign 08E033000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2002 Mercury Cougar — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (41 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V421000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E022000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08E033000 (suspension) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1987 ▲ 1988 ● 1996

WORST YEARS

■ 1999 ■ 2000 ■ 1993

See all years ranked →

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 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.