NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 82 owner complaints for the 2001 Mercury Cougar. Most complaints involve fuel system, gasoline (18) and electrical system (12). The EPA rates it 21–24 mpg combined.
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. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START-UP AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUTOFF AS THE OIL WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FUEL SENSOR, RELAY SENSOR, FUEL INJECTION SENOR AND MULTIPLE OTHER PARTS WERE REPLACED. DESPITE MULTIPLE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V421000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) WHICH WAS LINKED TO HER FAILURE. A DEALER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.”
“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”
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND AND EVENTUALLY FAILED. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE DID NOT INDICATE ANYTHING ABNORMAL. THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING ONCE THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND SHE NOTICED RADIATOR FLUID LEAKING. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MIDAS FOR A SECOND OPINION AND WAS INFORMED AGAIN THAT HER VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 75,000. UPDATED 02/01/08. *LJ THE HEAD GASKETS WERE LEAKING WHICH ALLOWED RADIATOR FLUID TO MIX WITH THE OIL.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cougar Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 31 | 24 | $2,600 | 370 |
| Cougar Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| Cougar Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
3 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 82 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel system, gasoline (18), electrical system (12), engine and engine cooling (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2001 Mercury Cougar at 21–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).