2002 Mercury Cougar Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 11%of 95 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 64,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Mercury Cougar, 11% of the 95 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,000 miles.
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.
“I purchased this 2002 Mercury Cougar 9 days ago and the transmission started hesitating in overdrive, so I turned o/d off and it was fine. When I got home I tried to put it in reverse and it wouldn't move. I tried to put it in neutral and it moved forward. I recently discovered that I was not the only one, I have seen repeated accounts of this same a/t failure on this same year & model on the internet including this same complaint forum. …”
NHTSA complaint #10138315, filed 2005-10, 57,000 miles“We were driving our vehicle on the interstate and the car started to hesitate then accelerate fast it did this 6 times. We stopped at a store and pulled in forward when we came back out and started the car the car would not go into the reverse position. The car some how was frozen into drive even if you put the car into neutral. Now our car is at another dealership with no explanation why or how this could have happened.”
NHTSA complaint #10039127, filed 2003-09, 64,000 miles“Bought the car in 12/02 and in 7/04 almost when the warranty is over the transmission failed. I was driving on the street and my car hesitated to go when I pressed on the gas pedal, when it finally grabbed the gear it jerked me twice. The following day it died on me and it would drive or go on reverse. It's been on the dealership 3 times since 7/04 with mileage of 33,000. New car warranty is over in 12/04 or 35,000. Not a good car. It's been discontinued. No wonder.”
NHTSA complaint #10090984, filed 2004-09, 31,000 miles“Total failure of the 5 speed manual transmission at 4046 miles. Dealer refused repair under warranty, as did ford. Said car was abused with no apparent visable damge to car”
NHTSA complaint #10051365, filed 2003-12, 4,026 miles“I have found 3 recalls for my car, they are all the exact problems I am having, but when I searched for open recalls it said none are open for my car. I need my car repaired and the recalls completed.”
NHTSA complaint #11074669, filed 2018-02Related service bulletins
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10013369Nov 1, 2004General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 10 | 11% |
| 2001 | 10 | 12% |
| 2000 | 9 | 4% |
| 1999 | 50 | 11% |
| 1997 | 10 | 13% |
| 1996 | 4 | 6% |
| 1995 | 23 | 21% |
| 1994 | 36 | 26% |
| 1993 | 3 | 2% |
| 1992 | 4 | 4% |
| 1991 | 1 | 1% |
| 1990 | 2 | 2% |
| 1989 | 6 | 7% |
| 1987 | 2 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2002 Mercury Cougar
49 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsEngine
9 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Mercury Cougar
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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