Mercury / Cougar / 2001

2001 Mercury Cougar problems

Owners have filed 103 complaints about the 2001 Mercury Cougar with NHTSA. Fuel system, gasoline accounts for 18.4% of them — the clear leader, ahead of engine and engine cooling at 11.7%.

Complaints103

Crashes8

Fires8

Injuries6

Deaths1

What owners report breaking

Fuel system, gasoline 18.4% · 19

Engine and engine cooling 11.7% · 12

Electrical system 11.7% · 12

Power train 9.7% · 10

Visibility 6.8% · 7

Fuel/propulsion system 5.8% · 6

Air bags 5.8% · 6

Tires 4.9% · 5

Severity

Of those complaints, 8 describe a crash, 8 describe a fire, 6 report an injury and 1 report a death.

Reading the numbers

Across the 10 model years of the Mercury Cougar in this data, 2001 draws comparatively few complaints; 1999 is the outlier year.

Filings are rising — 14 in the last three years against 8 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.

The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 76,500 miles.

In owners' own words

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 · reported at 200,000 miles

Fuel pump failure - fuel pump had been replaced previously (with an oem ford one), while driving on i95 near dc in heavy traffic, pump died, causing car to stall, almost causing a multi car accident while trying to merge thru traffic to reach the breakdown lane. Dealer replaced fuel pump (52,000 miles). Now at 61,000 the pump is dying again. Fuel system, gasoline · reported at 52,000 miles

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. Fuel system, gasoline · reported at 99,000 miles

Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Safety recalls

Checking NHTSA for open recalls…

Other Mercury Cougar years

1994 178 complaints · 20.2% power train 1995 160 complaints · 29.4% service brakes, hydraulic 1997 112 complaints · 28.6% engine and engine cooling 1999 740 complaints · 14.9% electrical system 2000 283 complaints · 26.1% electrical system 2002 127 complaints · 32.3% fuel system, gasoline

Compare all 10 model years →