Acceleration complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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.
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.
Over past few weeks loosing acceleration especially on inclines and highway entrance ramps causing near collission as I can't speed up to highway speed and car behind me must brake at fast speeds. Engine light on. Mechanic says can't fix and contact Ford. My VIN # does not bring up recall but it matches recall notice summary stating contamination of filter in fuel delivery module (fdm) thi recall state 1999-2002 cougars.mine is 2001 bought new, under 70,000 mi with new fuel pump. This has been going on for weeks and scared to drive my only car. Please help.
While pulling out of a parking lot vehicle suddenly/unexpectedly accelerated and lurch forward. Consumer applied the brakes hard to slow the vehicle down, allowed the vehicle to hit the curb, and turned off the ignition switch. Vehicle was towed to the dealer. Dealer informed the consumer that the throttle cable stuck.
I was heading home from the beach. I had my car on cruise control. A car was stopping ahead to turn into a housing development. I tried to push the brake to disengage the cruise control,but the cruise control did not disengage. I again hit the brake, harder this time, but the cruise control again did not disengage. With my foot on the brake I tried to swerve to miss the car in front of me. I ended up losing control of my car offroad and rolling the car into a ditch. I avoided any other cars or property, but my car was damaged heavily. I am still awaiting the assessment of the damage from my insurance company. My passenger and I both walked away, luckily we were wearing our seat belts.
The car has stalled on me 3 times while driving. The first time the vehicle stalled going up a driveway with the gas pedal pushed in. The second time the car was taveling at 20 MPH turning a corner when vehicle stalled. 3rd time vehicle stalled at 5 MPH with foot pressed on gas pedal. The car stalled and would not start up, causing it to hit a curb. The vehicle has been in to the dealership over 12 times, each time customer stating the same problem, however they do not have a solution. Vehicle also has a faulty coolant tank as the coolant light is always on, with no problems. The cars brakes make a strange noise with new brakes replaced from a recall. Many other small defects such as the leather chipping and seat covers coming off in the first 6 months of ownership. Still nothing wrong. …
Dt*: the consumer stated while driving on an icy road, the rear brakes failed and the consumer hit into a curb. The throttle has stuck intermittently since August of 2005. The dealership was unable to duplicate the problem. There are two recalls, #00V075000 regarding the service brakes and #99V194000 regarding the vehicle speed control. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.
Dt: contact owns a 1999 Mercury Cougar. He has been looking on the internet and found recalls 04v4210000, 04v4210000,1v0320000, and 01v0310000 . He called the manufacturer, and they told him that this vehicle was not included in these recalls due to VIN although the contact's vehicle experienced the same failure as described in aforementioned recalls. While driving and accelerating the vehicle surged. He had not noticed this when the cruise control was on. But, noticed this immediately after purchasing the vehicle from an auction on 9-18-05. Also, the left rear tail lamp blew out three times in a short time frame. He bought the extended life bulbs, but they still blew out. However, some of the lights worked on the dashboard. . The engine light did not come on when he first started the vehicle. The contact noticed this 10-04-05.
Related recalls (1)
Vehicle speed control
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The accelerator cable May have been manufactured with a burr on or near the end of the cable sleeve interior. This burr could fray the core wire resulting in the accelerator not returning to idle when the accelerator is released.
Remedy: Dealers will install a revised accelerator cable that has a flared conduit sleeve end and molded on end fitting.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercury Cougar years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1999 (31), 2000 (16), 1995 (7) and 1996 (5) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 7% of all complaints for the 1999.
Is there a recall for Mercury Cougar acceleration problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 99V-194 (vehicle speed control, Jul 20, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mercury Cougar acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles; 50% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the accelerator pedal (10 mentions), followed by the cables (5).
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.