2001 Mercury Cougar: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 82 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is fuel system, gasoline (20% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2008
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 82 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2020
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2019
“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.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Mar 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2017
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2017
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2016
“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.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jun 2016
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2015
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2014
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Cougar by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Mercury Cougar reliable?
NHTSA has 82 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Mercury Cougar. The most complained-about area is fuel system, gasoline (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Mercury Cougar problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 69,900 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Mercury Cougar have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.