Owners filed 82 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the fuel system, gasoline › delivery › fuel pump. It has been recalled 3 times.
When it fails
06990069,900 milesMedian miles at failure
51 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 30,000–40,000 miles.
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.
Risk. 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic06E022000
Filed Mar 13, 20067,440 vehiclesBrake Parts, Inc.
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.
Risk. 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline04V421000
Filed Aug 30, 200488,600 vehiclesFord Motor Company
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.
Risk. 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.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 18, 2020116,000 milesPA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START-UP AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUTOFF AS THE OIL WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FUEL SENSOR, RELAY SENSOR, FUEL INJECTION SENOR AND MULTIPLE OTHER PARTS WERE REPLACED. DESPITE MULTIPLE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) WHICH WAS LINKED TO HER FAILURE. A DEALER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jul 30, 2020136,000 milesOR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE FUEL LEVEL REACHED A HALF TANK OF GASOLINE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND LOSS MOTIVE POWER WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANS AXLE AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. COLUMBIA FORD LINCOLN HYUNDAI (700 7TH AVE, LONGVIEW, WA 98632) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 136,000.
Service Brakes
Filed Apr 14, 2020173,000 milesIN
WELL HEADLIGHT WIRING HARNESS IS DRY ROTTED LIKE CRAZY THE CAR LOOSES POWER WHILE EXCELERATING WHEN BELOW 3/4 OF A TANK BRAKE FLUID/CLUTCH FLUID IS LEAKING DON'T KNOW WHY AND THE BATTERY LIGHT IS ON
Electrical SystemFire
Filed Apr 14, 2020177,810 milesIN
BATTERY LIGHT IS ON AND HAS FOR AWHILE. LIGHTS KEEP BLOWING FUSES. AND TODAY I HAD TO RIP OUT A HEADLIGHT OR THE CAR WOULD HAVE SET ON FIRE. *TR
Structure › Body
Filed Jun 6, 2017146,246 milesOH
THE SUNROOF JUST RELEASED FROM THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF I71 DOING 65MPH AND I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL OF COUGAR
Electrical System
Filed Feb 22, 2017129,000 milesMT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED, THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES FLICKERED. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jan 11, 2017102,000 milesMD
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT, WITH THE HELP OF OTHER DRIVERS, HAD TO PHYSICALLY PUSH THE VEHICLE OUT OF TRAFFIC TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP MOTOR BURNED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 8, 201669,900 milesCT
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.
Engine
Filed Jul 7, 201659,800 milesCT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE ENGINE CHECK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V421000(FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,800.
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 16, 2015159,000 milesWV
CAR STARTED HESITATING AND LOST POWER THEN STALLED OUT CAUSING TRAFFIC TO GET BACKED UP. *TR
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 10, 2014151,645 milesFL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED TO HESITATE AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,645.
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed May 21, 2014156,000 milesMI
KEY STICKS IN IGNITION SWITCH. SOMETIMES HALFWAY IN OR OUT. AFRAID TO DRIVE AS IT WILL PROBABLY MAKE CAR UNABLE TO START OR TAKE OUT IGNITION KEY. I AM ALSO WONDERING IF THIS COULD HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING, SUCH AS SHUTTING ITSELF OFF. *TR
Tires
Filed Nov 21, 2012147,892 milesNY
COOPER TRENDSETTER SE,P205/55/R16,INSIDE ONE TIRE IS A PILE OF POWDERED RUBBER/INSIDE WALL OF TIRE,RUBBER HAS CAME OFF AND YOU CAN SEE WHAT LOOKS LIKE BANDS. *TR
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Oct 26, 2012111,000 milesIL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT COMPLETE THE REPAIR BECAUSE SHE HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM FAILED AND SHE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BUT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE PARTS HAD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000. UPDATED 12/06/12*LJ UPDATED 12/07/2012 *JS
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Aug 21, 2012250,000 milesCA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY COUGAR. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND WAS REPAIRED. AFTER SOMETIME THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START OR WOULD STALL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000.
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Nov 14, 201190,000 milesCA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER WAITING A FEW MOMENTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS AND OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE BEGAN TO RECUR APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS LATER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN BACK FOR ADDITIONAL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT FUEL SYSTEM FAILURES LED TO AN ALTERNATOR FAILURE, WHICH DRAINED THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUNROOF WAS JAMMED AND WOULD NOT LONGER OPEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 31, 2011200,000 milesMI
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED, THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE FUEL TANK AND STRAPS WERE RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 31, 201199,000 milesMI
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A FUEL ODOR, THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK AND BOTH FUEL STRAPS WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery › CablesFire
Filed Feb 28, 2011GA
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT A PIECE OF THE METAL BATTERY CONNECTOR HAD MELTED. THE METAL CONNECTOR WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK LATER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING HER TO LOSE ALL POWER SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V031000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY:CABLES). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BATTERY CABLE WAS BURNING AND SMOKING. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PREVIOUS RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED THE SECOND TIME. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Air Bags1 injured
Filed Jan 17, 2011128,000 milesIN
DRIVING CAR TO CLASS LAST WEEK, RECENTLY BOUGHT IT WITHIN THE PAST YEAR. WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT IN A PARKING GARAGE GOING MAYBE 5 MPH. WAS CREEPING UP INTO THE SPOT AND THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED OUT OF NOWHERE, CRACKING MY WINDSHIELD AND GETTING SMOKE AND AN AWFUL SMELL INTO MY CAR. I ALSO WILL BE WEARING A WRIST BRACE FOR THE NEXT 6 WEEKS DUE TO AN INJURY THAT THE AIRBAGS CAUSED. *TR
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Apr 14, 2008. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.