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 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2001
Exterior Lighting
WHEN THE CONSUMER ENGAGED THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL, SEVERAL SECONDS LATER SMOKE STARTING STREAMING OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN THROUGH THE RUBBER GASKET SURROUNDING THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL ACTUATOR ARM, THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND IT WAS REPLACED, THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THE PART DOES NOT …
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WHEN THE CONSUMER ENGAGED THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL, SEVERAL SECONDS LATER SMOKE STARTING STREAMING OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN THROUGH THE RUBBER GASKET SURROUNDING THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL ACTUATOR ARM, THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND IT WAS REPLACED, THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THE PART DOES NOT CONTAIN A CHANGE IN DESIGN WHICH WOULD PREVENT THIS FROM OCCURING AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #563130
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2001
Electrical SystemFire
SMOKE EMENATED FROM STEERING COLUMN WHEN ENGAGING TURN SIGNAL. POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD AS QUOTED BY FORD SERVICE ADVISOR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #752057
Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2001
Visibility
POWER OPERATED WINDOWS FOR FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT DOORS FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE AND REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #895916
Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2001
Visibility
PASSENGER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW FAILED TO OPERATE DUE TO FAILURE OF CABLE DRIVE MOTOR. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL AND WARRANTY EXPIRED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #895791
Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2001
Visibility
DRIVER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP. AT ALL. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #894877
Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE AFTER FILLING FUEL TANK. THERE IS RECALL 99V247000 CONCERNING FUEL FILLER PIPE VENT HOSE, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #894704
Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE PROBLEMS THAT I AM HAVING WITH THE VEHICLE IS THAT I NEED A NEW ENGINE AND I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ALONG WITH THE CAR. THE WARRANTY COMPANY, WYNN'S OIL COMPANY REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. I AM STILL QUALIFIED FOR THE WARRANTY TO PAY FOR REPAIRS, WITH EXEMPTIONS OF DEDUCTABLE. I REALLY NEED HELP WITH THIS PROBL…
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THE PROBLEMS THAT I AM HAVING WITH THE VEHICLE IS THAT I NEED A NEW ENGINE AND I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ALONG WITH THE CAR. THE WARRANTY COMPANY, WYNN'S OIL COMPANY REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. I AM STILL QUALIFIED FOR THE WARRANTY TO PAY FOR REPAIRS, WITH EXEMPTIONS OF DEDUCTABLE. I REALLY NEED HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM. I AM WITHOUT THE USE OF A VEHICLE THAT I AM STILL LEGALLY OBLIGATED TO PAY FOR. PLEASE HELP!!*AK
NHTSA ODI #750828
Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
TOOK VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER FOR RECALL OF ENGINE COOLING FAN MOTOR. THEY CHECKED AND SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM, HOWEVER A FUSE WAS BLOWN AND THEY DID REPLACE THE FUSE. THIS TELLS ME THERE MUST HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM FOR THE FUSE TO NEED REPLACING. APPROX. 3 WEEKS LATER, WITHOUT ANY SIGNS, WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND THE "CHECK EN…
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TOOK VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER FOR RECALL OF ENGINE COOLING FAN MOTOR. THEY CHECKED AND SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM, HOWEVER A FUSE WAS BLOWN AND THEY DID REPLACE THE FUSE. THIS TELLS ME THERE MUST HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM FOR THE FUSE TO NEED REPLACING. APPROX. 3 WEEKS LATER, WITHOUT ANY SIGNS, WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND THE "CHECK ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON. IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS THE CAR STOPPED. THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND TOTALLY MELTED THE ENGINE COMPONENTS. THE CAR HAD JUST BEEN SERVICED. I FEEL THAT THERE OBVIOUSLY WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE COOLING FAN AND THE RESULT WAS EXACTLY AS THE RECALL WARNED FOR THE ENGINE COOLING FAN. I HAVE CALLED FORD WITH NO RESULTS. I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE MOTOR. PLEASE ADVISE. WHAT IS MY RECOURSE?*AK
NHTSA ODI #750740
Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
5
RQ02006 · 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.
1996 Mercury Mystique Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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