Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix
2001 vs 2002 MERCURY COUGAR
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21
Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.
First 299 months on market for each model year
Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026
Age-matched reports
▲ 19.2% more reports in the equal exposure window
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21
Component share shift
Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.
View component share data as a table
| Component | 2001 share | 2002 share | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|
| FUEL SYSTEM | 26.9% | 43.0% | ▲ 16.1 pts larger share |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 11.5% | 1.1% | ▼ 10.5 pts smaller share |
| ENGINE | 12.8% | 18.3% | ▲ 5.5 pts larger share |
| STRUCTURE | 5.1% | 1.1% | ▼ 4.1 pts smaller share |
| SEAT BELTS | not reported | 3.2% | ▲ 3.2 pts larger share |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 2.6% | not reported | ▼ 2.6 pts smaller share |
| VISIBILITY | 9.0% | 6.5% | ▼ 2.5 pts smaller share |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 3.9% | 2.2% | ▼ 1.7 pts smaller share |
| POWER TRAIN | 10.3% | 8.6% | ▼ 1.7 pts smaller share |
| SUSPENSION | 2.6% | 1.1% | ▼ 1.5 pts smaller share |
| TIRES | 2.6% | 1.1% | ▼ 1.5 pts smaller share |
| WHEELS | 2.6% | 1.1% | ▼ 1.5 pts smaller share |
| AIR BAGS | 6.4% | 5.4% | ▼ 1.0 pts smaller share |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 2.6% | 2.2% | ▼ 0.4 pts smaller share |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 65.4% | 72.0% | ▲ 6.7 pts larger share |
NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22
Recall campaigns
Campaign components: not reported
Campaign components: not reported
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21
Safety signals
- ◆ Fires
- 6 → 1
- ◆ Injuries
- 4 → 12