The Lemon Index
20018th generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 19,345 in the U.S. in 2002 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 35 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
35 owner complaints, first 3 years 21–24 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 12,000 and 57,000 miles (19,000–92,000 km) (the middle half of the 23 complaints, of all 35 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
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 slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Mercury sent dealers 42 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 35 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 12K to 57K miles (19K to 92K km) on the car (23 of all 35 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
Fuel pump had failed, causing te vehicle to shut off. Dealer notified.
2002 Mercury Cougar owner · NHTSA complaint 10026760
More owner reports
The consumer requested reimbursement for having the fuel pump replaced on her 2002 Mercury Cougar.
NHTSA complaint 10124692
As listed I have a 2002 Mercury Cougar and I have experienced all of the problems (fuel pump, steering column, airbags.......) I have had the car towed three times and have been to the dealer on 20 occasions.
NHTSA complaint 10057142
Problems Mercury told dealers about
Mercury sent dealers 42 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. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2002 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mercury-cougar/?y=2002" 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/2002/">Lemon Index</a> (2002 Mercury Cougar reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2002 Mercury Cougar reliable?
We can't score it: only 19,345 were sold in the U.S. in 2002 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 35 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2002 Mercury Cougar problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are fuel system, gasoline (31%), transmission & drivetrain (17%) and engine (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 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 2002 Mercury Cougar get?
21 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Mercury Cougar problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 12,000 and 57,000 miles (19,000–92,000 km) (the middle half of the 23 complaints, of all 35 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2002 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2002 Mercury Cougar have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 17% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2002 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 2002 Mercury Cougar have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl.
What Mercury Cougar year is better than the 2002?
Nearby, the 2001 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit more than the average car's complaints).
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