Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Mercury Cougar owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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.
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. …
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. …
Tl 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 the bushings and clutch were worn. …
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 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.
Tl 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.
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.
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.
Engine complaints in other Cougar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2002 Mercury Cougar?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2002 Mercury Cougar, 21% of the model year's 95 complaints. The component named most often is engine (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Mercury Cougar engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2002 Mercury Cougar, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Mercury Cougar engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 91,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.