The Lemon Index
200020028th generation
Worse than average · most complaints: fuel system, gasoline
41 owner complaints, first 3 years 21–24 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2001 Mazda 626 2122001 Honda Insight2001 Hyundai Tiburon
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 14 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 08E033000 (suspension), 06E022000 (brakes) and 04V421000 (fuel system, gasoline) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Mercury sent dealers 61 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Vacuum or air leaks in the intake manifold and / or engine system causing”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Mercury's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 41 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 23K to 49K miles (37K to 79K km) on the car (14 of all 41 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
While driving 15 mph, the vehicle began to hesitate and then it stalled, the consumer was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer was unable to duplicate the problem.
2001 Mercury Cougar owner · NHTSA complaint 10105520
More owner reports
Ongoing problem with engine stalling at multiple speed. Vehicle been to dealer on three occasions, and problem still reoccurring. Feel free to provide any further infromation.
NHTSA complaint 8016216
Request for reimbursement for replacement of fuel pump.
NHTSA complaint 10073758
Problems Mercury told dealers about
Mercury sent dealers 61 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Vacuum or air leaks in the intake manifold and / or engine system causing
- Some engine assemblies with aluminum cylinder heads repaired in-vehile have been found to leak…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Suspension · recall issued 2008
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.
- Brakes · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2004
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,500–$2,850 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl.
Every Mercury Cougar year. 2001 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2001 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mercury-cougar/?y=2001" title="Mercury Cougar reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="261" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/mercury-cougar/2001/">Lemon Index</a> (2001 Mercury Cougar reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2001 Mercury Cougar reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew a bit more than the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 131; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2001 Mercury Cougar problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are fuel system, gasoline (20%), engine (17%) and airbags (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2001 Mercury Cougar have?
3 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2001 Mercury Cougar get?
21 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2001 Mercury Cougar have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2001 Mercury Cougar cost in fuel a year?
About $2,500 to $2,850 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2001 Mercury Cougar have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl.
Is there a better Mercury Cougar year than the 2001?
Not nearby: the 2001 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Mercury Cougar years within 3 model years of it.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works