2002 Mercury Cougar: sudden loss of power

16 of the 95 complaints about the 2002 Mercury Cougar describe sudden loss of power.

owner complaints: 16
of this car's complaints: 17%
typical mileage: 84,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 10 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Sudden loss of power by model year

2002
16
2001
5
2000
11
1999
15
1998
1
1994
1
1993
1
1992
1
1991
1

What owners say

Filed Dec 23, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 179,225 miles · KS

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've done some online research on this, and it seems like there are a ton of people with the same problem from years 99 to 02.

Filed Jul 23, 2012 · Engine · 180,000 miles · GA

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.

Filed Jul 22, 2011 · Fuel system · 116,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercury cougar. The contact stated that when applying the accelerator, the vehicle would hesitate, lose power and then surge abnormally. The dealer was contacted and advised that there was a recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 04v421000 (fuel system, gasoline) but the contacts VIN was not included. The manufacturer was contacted who confirmed that her VIN was not included in the recall list. No further assistance was offered. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 116,000.

Filed Feb 12, 2011 · Fuel system · 62,000 miles · TX

My 2002 mercury cougar has lost power, shuttered, misfired, and essentially broke down the same week I paid it off! My 2002 mercury cougar was included in the recall so I took it to a local dealership and they said my VIN number was not part of the recall? Hundreds of people have complained about this problem and ford is refusing to fix certain VIN number that they claim are not affected, how is this possible? There are away to many 2002 cougars with the same problem. Ford is refusing to fix the problem and now I have a car that does not run. This car has had a problem with stalling and shuttering since day 8 of purchase.

Filed Dec 1, 2009 · Fuel system · 127,000 miles · WA

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mercury cougar. He stated that the vehicle began to hesitate and lose power. The failure was identical to the federal safety agency campaign id number: 04v421000; however, the manufacturer informed the contact this his VIN did not apply to the recall. The current and failure mileages were 127,000. Updated 12/30/09 *cn the fuel filter was replaced. Updated 12/30/09

Filed Sep 17, 2009 · Fuel system · 85,000 miles · CO

2002 cougar exhibits "engine hesitation, loss of power, surging, and other similar symptoms". Your website shows a extended warranty for this as our mechanic says we need a new fuel pump. Ford denies the car is covered.

Filed Jul 15, 2009 · Fuel system · 112,000 miles · KY

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mercury cougar. The contact stated that the fuel delivery module (fdm) reduced and eventually blocked the flow of fuel to the engine. The vehicle lost power while driving 50 MPH. The vehicle was repaired twice, but the failure still persists. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was excluded from the federal safety agency campaign id number 04v421000 (fuel system, gasoline). The failure mileage was 112,000 and current mileage was 113,184.

Filed Jun 19, 2008 · Engine, Fuel system · 84,000 miles · NJ

Tl*the 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 the federal safety agency 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*lj the bushings and clutch were worn. The fuel pump and fuel sender were replaced. The engine light was on. The dealer replaced a leaking intake. Updated 07/16/08

Filed Mar 18, 2008 · Fuel system · 90,000 miles · NJ

Engine hesitation, loss of power, surging and stalling leading to near misses in traffic ,at stop lights & while turning a corner. Ford and their dealers claim that their recall # 04v421000 has expired and does not apply.

Filed Oct 24, 2007 · Engine, Fuel system · 74,500 miles · MO

Loss of power, surging, so I took to dealer they changed fuel pump supposedly and filter and transmission fluid. One week later I took it back because it continued to do the same, they said they checked a wire to fuel pump and changed a spark plug, and here it is another week with the same symptoms.

Filed Aug 13, 2007 · Fuel system · 80,000 miles · KY

My car is hesitating, with surging and loss of power, just as the "recall" states. However, upon calling ford and dealerships, I find out that although the recall that has been issued is for my car and has the exact problems that are stated, according to ford there is no recall and it will not be fixed.

Filed Jun 29, 2007 · Fuel system · 60,000 miles · TX

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mercury cougar. While driving at any rate of speed, the vehicle will hesitate, surge, and lose power. The dealer stated that the vehicle is not a part of recall # 04v421000 (fuel system, gasoline). The VIN and # of cylinders were unknown. The current mileage is 69,470 and failure mileage was 60,000.