IllustrationTHE 3 BOLTS HOLDING BRACKET CAME LOOSE. 2 SHEARED OFF AND 1 STRIPPED OUT. HAD TO REPLACE TRANSAXLE AND BRACKET. *AK
1996 Mercury Mystique
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Mystique years
Owner complaints for the 1996 Mercury Mystique are substantially higher than the model-year median of 71.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Mystique years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 24 of 185 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports12 fire reports6 injury reports
What owners actually said
185 reportsREAR REFLECTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED AND STILL FILLS UP WITH WATER WHEN IT RAINS OR WHEN YOU WASH CAR/TOLD OUT OF WARRANTY/BUT NEVER FIXED CORRECTLY THE FIRST TIME IT WAS REPLACED.*AK
THE THROTTLE FREEZES. AT TIMES THE THROTTLE FEELS LIKE IT IS DRAGGING CAUSING YOU TO PRESS HARDER THAN NEEDED TO ACCELERATE, THEN THE CAR SPRINGS FORWARD. SOME TIMES WHEN YOU PUSH LIGHTLY ON THE ACCELERATOR IT STARTS OUT INTO THE TRAFFIC LANE THEN THE THROTTLE FREEZES. NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU PUSH IT WILL NOT BUDGE, THEN SUDD…
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THE THROTTLE FREEZES. AT TIMES THE THROTTLE FEELS LIKE IT IS DRAGGING CAUSING YOU TO PRESS HARDER THAN NEEDED TO ACCELERATE, THEN THE CAR SPRINGS FORWARD. SOME TIMES WHEN YOU PUSH LIGHTLY ON THE ACCELERATOR IT STARTS OUT INTO THE TRAFFIC LANE THEN THE THROTTLE FREEZES. NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU PUSH IT WILL NOT BUDGE, THEN SUDDENLY IT WILL FREE UP AND WORK FINE FOR DAYS MAYBE THEN IT WILL DO IT AGAIN. VERY UNSAFE. WE HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF CLOSE CALLS. FORD- MERCURY ARE REALLY DRAGGING THEIR HEELS. THEY HAVE CHARGED ME OVER $100 ON ONE VISIT FOR THIS PROBLEM AND FIXED NOTHING. THANKS YOU FOR YOUR HELP, DAN. *AK
WAS DRIVING ALONG ON THE ROAD WHEN IT SUDDENLY STOPPED MOVING. ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. TRIED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE & VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. COULD HEAR IT SHIFTING GEARS. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO MECHANIC & INFORMED CONSUMER THAT TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT. *AK
THE WATER PUMP IMPELLER WAS MADE OF PLASTIC AND BROKE UP INTO PIECES CAUSING $2000 IN DAMAGE, BECAUSE THE RESULTING OVERHEATED ENGINE WARPED THE VALVE HEADS. THE CAR NEED TO HAVE THE HEAD REMILLED AND NEW MULTIPLE GASKETS. THE WATER PUMP IMPLELLER IN MY OPINION SHOULD NEVER HAD BEEN MADE OF PLASTIC AND WAS APPARENTLY DEFECTIVE.
CONNECTOR IN HARNESS TO HEAD LAMP SWITCH FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 99V-103. NLM
ENGINE WIRING HARNESS CAUGHT FIRE. *MJS
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 55MPH, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK
WE TOOK THIS CAR TO THE DEALER IN MAY OF 1999 BECAUSE THE THROTTLE SEEMED TO STICK, THEN BREAK FREE, CAUSING TO CAR TO LURC FORWARD INTO TRAFFIC. THEY KEPT THE CAR BUT IT WOULD NOT REPEAT THE PROBLEM SO THEY ERTURNED IT TO US AND CHARGED US OVER $100. EVER SINCE THE THROTTLE WOULD SOMETIMES FEEL ROUGH IN ABOUT ONE HALF TO ONE …
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WE TOOK THIS CAR TO THE DEALER IN MAY OF 1999 BECAUSE THE THROTTLE SEEMED TO STICK, THEN BREAK FREE, CAUSING TO CAR TO LURC FORWARD INTO TRAFFIC. THEY KEPT THE CAR BUT IT WOULD NOT REPEAT THE PROBLEM SO THEY ERTURNED IT TO US AND CHARGED US OVER $100. EVER SINCE THE THROTTLE WOULD SOMETIMES FEEL ROUGH IN ABOUT ONE HALF TO ONE INCH OF TRAVEL BUT THEN WOULD BE SMOOTH AS SILK. IN FEB WE TOOK THE CAR IN FOR THE SMOG CHECK AND THE SERVICE PERSON FINISHED THE TEST AND PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND IT SAT STILL, THE ENGINE AT IDLE AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE. HE SHIFTED IT BACK AND FORTH THEN SUDDENLY IT SHOT OUT OF THE STALL WITHOUT WARNING. HE SAID HE HAD PUSHED ON THE FOOT PEDAL BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. THEN ON MARCH 14, 2000, I WAS TRAVELING AT A STEADY SPEED OF 50 MILES PER HOUR FOR ABOUT FIVE MINUTES WHEN I DECIDED TO ACCELERATE TO 55, THE THROTTLE STUCK TIGHT. I PUSHED VERY HARD BUT NOTHING HAPPENED FOR ABOUT 20 SECONDS, THEN SUDDENLY IT RELEASED AND MY SPEED INCREASED. AT THIS POINT WE CANNOPT AFFORD TO PAY FORD $100 EVERY TIME WE TAKE THIS IN AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING. I'M SURE IT IS A THROTTLE PROBLEM. THE SMOG MECHANIC THINKS IT MAY ALSO HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH A SWITCH ON THE TRANSMISSION, AS HE SAID WHEN IT DID IT TO HIM HE MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER BACK AND FOR AND PUSHED ON THE FOOT PEDAL AND IT DID NOT INCREASE IN SPEED NOR DID IT MOVE. IS THERE SOME KIND OF RECALL HAVING TO DO WITH EITHER OF THESE PROBLEMS? THE DEALER DOESN'T SEEM TO THINK SO. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. IT HAS BEEN AND ON GOING THING. WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS IT IS WITHOUT WARNING. I HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF SCARY OCCURRENCES. ONCE AT A STOP SIGN I PULLED UP STOPPED SAW THAT IT WAS CLEAR, PRESS ON THE FOOT PEDAL AND NOTHING HAPPENED, THE CAR SAT STILL AT IDLE, NO REVING JUST IDLE. I THOUGHT MY FOOT WAS CAUGHT ON THE CARPET SO I PUSHED AGAIN, STILL NOTHING SO I THOGHT MAYBE THE FLOOR MAT HAD GOTTEN CAUGHT UNDER THE PEDAL, JUST AS I WAS REACHING DOWN TO PULL ON FLOOR MAT CAR SHOT FORWARD. AK
WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY MORNING TRAFFIC VEHICLE STARTS WHINING, THEN IT STALLS. HAS TO PUT GEAR IN PARK TO RESTART. SOMETIMES THE OVERDRIVE INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON. ALSO, WHEN PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC, IT DOESN'T ENGAGE IN GEAR IMMEDIATELY, WHEN PUTTING FOOT ON ACCELERATOR, IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *AK
Official recalls
701V230000 · Electrical System
Jul 9, 2001
ON CERTAIN MY 1996-1998 PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY, CUAUTITLAN ASSEMBLY PLANTS OR ON MY 1999 PASSENGER VEHCLES BUILT AT THE AUTOMOTIVE ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY PLANTS, THE ROUGH SURFACE OF THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR'S STAINLESS STEEL BLADES CAN DAMAGE THE COPPER SURFACE OF THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR. THE DAMAGE COULD, OVER TIME, CAUSE INCREASED RESISTANCE IN THE CONNECTOR AND, DUE TO SUBSEQUENT TERMINAL RELAXATION, RESULT IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE OPEN CIRCUIT COULD LEAD TO ELECTRICAL ARCING THAT COULD MELT THE CONNECTOR HOUSING MATERIAL CREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR AND A NEW WIRE JUMPER HARNESS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 29, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
00V367000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Nov 6, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1995 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.0L AND 2.5L ENGINES, AND 1996 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. TIGHTENING OF THE ENGINE COOLING FAN MOTOR BEARINGS, UP TO AND INCLUDING MOTOR STALL, CAN RESULT IN INCREASED MOTOR TORQUE AND HIGHER THAN NORMAL MOTOR CURRENT AND ACCOMPANYING HIGH MOTOR TEMPERATURES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: OVERHEATING OF THE COOLING FAN MOTOR DUE TO EXCESSIVE CURRENT CAN RESULT IN SMOKE AND ODORS FROM BEARING GREASE, INSULATION AND OTHER INTERNAL MOTOR COMPONENTS. IF ELECTRICAL CURRENT CONTINUES TO BE APPLIED TO THE MOTOR, INTERNAL MOTOR COMPONENTS COULD IGNITE POSSIBLY IGNITING OTHER ENGINE COMPARTMENT COMPONENTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A POSITIVE TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT DEVICE IN-LINE WITH EACH FAN MOTOR. FORD WILL ALSO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY TO A TOTAL OF 8 YEARS OF SERVICE OR 100,000 MILES FROM THE WARRANTY START DATE, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. IF THE VEHICLE ALREADY HAS MORE THAN 100,000 MILES, THIS COVERAGE WILL LAST UNTIL JULY 31, 2001.
00V075000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components
Mar 9, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). A PRESSURE CONSCIOUS REDUCING VALVE (PCRV) IN THE REAR BRAKES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CORROSION AND RESULT IN MALFUNCTION, WHEN OPERATED IN AREAS THAT USE SALT COMPOUNDS ON THE ROADWAY FOR DE-ICING OR DUST CONTROL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF BOTH PCRV'S MALFUNCTION, VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED DURING BRAKING AS A RESULT OF THE REAR WHEELS LOCKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL IMPROVED PCRV'S IN THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS RECALL WAS EXPANDED IN SEPTEMBER 2000 TO INCLUDE 1999 AND 2000 FORD CONTOUR, MERCURY MYSTIQUE AND COUGAR VEHICLES.
99V247000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
Sep 13, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FUEL FILLER PIPE VENT HOSE MAY HAVE LESS THAN THE INTENDED LEVEL OF OZONE RESISTANCE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE HOSE BECOMING BRITTLE AND CRACKING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A CRACKED HOSE COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING FUELED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUEL FILLER VENT HOSE CONTACTING THE APPROPRIATE BLEND OF PVC AND NITRILE RUBBER.
99V103000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
May 5, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TERMINALS AT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN EXPERIENCE HEAT DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF OVERHEATING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN DISTORTION OF THE TERMINAL CAUSING AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION, PARKING LAMP, AND TAIL LAMP CIRCUITS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLAMP SWITCH WIRING CONNECTOR CONTAINING BRONZE TERMINALS AND AN INSPECTION, AND REPLACEMENT IF NECESSARY, OF THE HEADLAMP SWITCH.
98V233000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
Sep 18, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FLOOR SHIFT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL CAN BE DAMAGED IF SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN INTERIOR CLEANING PRODUCTS. THE GEAR POSITION INDICATOR CAN DETERIORATE AND NOT CORRECTLY INDICATE THE ACTUAL GEAR POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INCORRECT GEAR SELECTION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL.
97V225000 · Vehicle Speed Control:cables
Dec 8, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL OPTION. THE THROTTLE CABLES WERE DAMAGED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY LEADING TO FRAYING OR SEPARATION OF THE THROTTLE CABLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT THE ENGINE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE CABLE WITH A REVISED DESIGN THAT IS LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO BENDING OR KINKING DURING INSTALLATION.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
5RQ02006 · Incorrect Gear Indication
Opened Feb 26, 2002 · Closed Sep 12, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
There is no summary currently available
EA01001 · Blower Switch/resistor Or Wiring Harness
Opened Jan 5, 2001 · Closed Jul 31, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
PE00023 · Blower Switch/resistor Or Wiring Harness
Opened Jun 14, 2000 · Closed Jan 5, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
RQ99019 · Various Intermittent Electrical Issues
Opened Sep 15, 1999 · Closed Mar 7, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
There is no summary currently available
PE98063 · Headlight Switch
Opened Dec 3, 1998 · Closed May 10, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
ODI OPENED THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION ON DECEMBER 3, 1989 BASED ON FIVE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, ALL OF WHICH MENTIONED CONCERNS CENTERED ON THE DASHBOARD-MOUNTED HEADLIGHT SWITCH.THESE CONCERNS INCLUDED AN ALLEGATION OF THE SWITCH CATCHING FIRE, AN ALLEGATION OF HEADLIGHT LOSS, AND THREE ALLEGATIONS OF INSTRUMENT PANEL AND TAIL LIGHT OUTAGES.THREE OF THE REPORTS SPECIFICALLY IDENTIFIED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND ITS ASSOCIATED WIRING AS HAVING BEEN HEAT DAMAGED.FORD INVESTIGATIONS HAVE FOUND THAT OVERHEATING OF AN ELECTRICAL TERMINAL AT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH CONNECTOR CAUSES LOSS OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND TAIL LIGHTS.FORD WILL REMEDY THIS CONDITION IN 1996-1998 MODEL CONTOUR AND MYSTIQUE VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM APRIL 20, 1995 THROUGH AUGUST 12, 1998 AND AT THE CAUTITLAN, MEXICO ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM JUNE 13, 1995 THROUGH AUGUST 24, 1998 UNDER RECALL 99V-103.THE REMEDY INVOLVES REPLACEMENT OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH CONNECTOR AND IF NECESSARY, THE SWITCH ITSELF.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS CLOSED.