2001 Mercury Cougar Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 15%of 82 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 81,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the electrical system of the 2001 Mercury Cougar, 15% of the 82 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 81,500 miles. 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Just over 36,000 miles, the alternator completely failed leaving myself and a passenger stranded more than 50 miles away from home. Due to the fact that the warranty expired at 36,000 miles the local dealerships all refused to assist me with this matter forcing me to pay to replace the alternator. Furthermore, I was informed by several mechanics that a reasonable time estimate on an alternator is 100,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10023353, filed 2003-06, 36,900 miles“I am not sure who to contact with this, but I have already gone through my insurance company, and I am still a little upset about what happened. I owned a Mercury Cougar 2dr coupe 2001. One night I was alerted by a neighbor that my car was on fire. My father started putting water on the car, and I used a fire extinguisher to put the fire out. My insurance company had a claims representative come out and check the vehicle. They already sent me a check for what they say the vehicle was worth, and I am just not happy about it. I know that ford had issues with cars catching on fire. …”
NHTSA complaint #10243138, filed 2008-09, 73,000 miles“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”
NHTSA complaint #11321150, filed 2020-04, 173,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10593220, filed 2014-05, 156,000 miles“2001 Cougar stalls and looses power and wont restart until the next day only to stall again at any speed. Has been to ford dealership 7 times and 2 independent garages. Dealership & garage cannot fix problem. Was almost hit twice from behind stalling on highway.”
NHTSA complaint #10093042, filed 2004-09, 49,191 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10013116Sep 6, 2004Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illuminated - system lean diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's) - service tips. Various models including 2004 f-series.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 4 | 4% |
| 2001 | 12 | 15% |
| 2000 | 63 | 30% |
| 1999 | 99 | 22% |
| 1997 | 4 | 5% |
| 1996 | 3 | 5% |
| 1995 | 5 | 5% |
| 1994 | 6 | 4% |
| 1993 | 8 | 4% |
| 1992 | 5 | 5% |
| 1991 | 11 | 15% |
| 1990 | 19 | 22% |
| 1989 | 12 | 15% |
| 1988 | 12 | 22% |
| 1987 | 13 | 39% |
| 1986 | 4 | 31% |
| 1985 | 6 | 60% |
| 1984 | 7 | 41% |
Other parts of the 2001 Mercury Cougar
26 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsTires
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Mercury Cougar
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology