2002 Mercury Cougar Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 4%of 95 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2002 Mercury Cougar, 4% of the 95 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“Since purchasing 2002 Mercury Cougar in january 2010 the vehicle hesitates, surges, and stalls at any rate of speed. Initially the problem was rare, then gradually occurred more frequently. This now happens at least weekly, sometimes several times per day. This issue has endangered me more times than I can currently recall. Replaced alternator, battery, EGR valve and sensor, iac valve, and catalytic converter. The issue persists.”
NHTSA complaint #10724633, filed 2015-06, 92,000 miles“Consumer depressed the brake pedal. The vehicle hesitated to accelerate, then it accelerated in full throttle. This resulted in an accident. Please provide more details. Ph”
NHTSA complaint #10003989, filed 2003-01, 12,000 miles“The contact owns a 2002 Mercury Cougar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH in a driveway, there was a sudden increase in the acceleration. The vehicle failed to decelerate even as the contact applied the brakes. The contact was unable to control the failure and crashed into a house. The contact sustained a fractured left wrist. A police report was filed of the incident. The vehicle sustained severe front end damages. The vehicle was towed to a police impound lot. The manufacturer was not notified of the acceleration failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10548123, filed 2013-10, 30,000 miles“The contact owns a 2002 Mercury Cougar. While idling, the engine revs and the vehicle accelerates on its own. The dealer stated that no recalls were available; however, the contact discovered NHTSA campaign id number 99v194000 (vehicle speed control). In addition, the check engine light remains illuminated for weeks at a time. Nhtsa campaign id number 04v421000 (fuel system, gasoline) was referenced. The contact stated that when the vehicle is started and the doors are shut, the power door locks automatically lock. Also, the doors automatically lock while driving. …”
NHTSA complaint #10216394, filed 2008-01, 50,000 milesVehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 4 | 4% |
| 2001 | 3 | 4% |
| 2000 | 16 | 8% |
| 1999 | 31 | 7% |
| 1997 | 2 | 3% |
| 1996 | 5 | 8% |
| 1995 | 7 | 6% |
| 1994 | 11 | 8% |
| 1993 | 4 | 2% |
| 1992 | 8 | 9% |
| 1991 | 9 | 12% |
| 1990 | 18 | 21% |
| 1989 | 21 | 26% |
| 1988 | 10 | 18% |
| 1987 | 3 | 9% |
| 1986 | 2 | 15% |
| 1985 | 2 | 20% |
| 1984 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2002 Mercury Cougar
49 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsEngine
9 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsElectrical system
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