Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
50–25K
1225–50K
1450–75K
1175–100K
4100–150K
1150K+
47 reports with mileage · 81 unknown
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.
Structure. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
14 crash reports1 fire reports11 injury reports
What owners actually said
128 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2002
Unknown Or Other
IN AUGUST 2001, I RECIEVED A LETTER FROM MERCURY/FORD MOTOR STATING "THE COVER ON YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL MAY WARP". I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE CAR CHECKED ON 09/22/2001. I HAVE THE LETTER THAT WAS SENT TO ME AND THE INVOICE FROM THE DEALER STATING "NO WARPAGE CHECKED OK AT THIS TIME". I…
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IN AUGUST 2001, I RECIEVED A LETTER FROM MERCURY/FORD MOTOR STATING "THE COVER ON YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL MAY WARP". I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE CAR CHECKED ON 09/22/2001. I HAVE THE LETTER THAT WAS SENT TO ME AND THE INVOICE FROM THE DEALER STATING "NO WARPAGE CHECKED OK AT THIS TIME". I WAS ADVISED BY JOSEPH CAPEZZUTO TO KEEP THE LETTER FOR FUTURE IF NEEDED. IN THE MIDDLE OF SEPTEMBER 2002 I NOTICED THAT THE BLACK PLASTIC PIECE WAS LOOSE ON ONE SIDE. I PUSHED IT IN TO PLACE SEVERAL TIMES. IT WAS NOT UNTIL OCTOBER 2002 THAT I REALIZED THAT IT WAS WARPING WITH THE PANEL BEGAN TO RAISE. IT IS SEVERAL INCHES HIGH BLOCKING THE LOWER VIEW OF THE WINDSHIELD. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER AND WAS ADVISED TO LEAVE IT THAT NIGHT FOR NEXT DAY SERVICE. THE NEXT DAY I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT COVERED DUE TO THE DEADLINE EXPIRED AUGUST 31, 2002. ALL I WANT IS FOR FORD TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART THAT THEY INSTALLED IN MY CAR IN THE FIRST PLACE. THANK YOU DT
NHTSA ODI #769116
Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2002
Fuel System, GasolineUnknown Or Other
MR
NHTSA ODI #768424
Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2002
Unknown Or Other
RECALL 01 F 139 000/INSTRUMENT PANEL:DEALER, CAVENAUGH FORD CO. IN BLACKROCK, AR. PHONE# 870/878--6251 REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL. THE CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED THE RECALL AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALL EXPIRED AUGUST 31, 2002. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS RISEN ABOUT 6 INCHES. THE CONSUMER IS COC…
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RECALL 01 F 139 000/INSTRUMENT PANEL:DEALER, CAVENAUGH FORD CO. IN BLACKROCK, AR. PHONE# 870/878--6251 REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL. THE CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED THE RECALL AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALL EXPIRED AUGUST 31, 2002. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS RISEN ABOUT 6 INCHES. THE CONSUMER IS COCERNED WITH THIS AFFECTING THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. *SCC
NHTSA ODI #8018926
Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2002
Service Brakes, Air
RECALL NOT DONE IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. NO PARTS AVAILABLE.*JB
NHTSA ODI #8017931
Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING AT ALL SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WILL STALL, WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER IS HAVING THE IGNITION MODULE REPLACED AT HER ON EXPENSE, DUE TO A SIMILAR PROBLEM THAT OTHER MODELS WERE EXPERIENCING, HOWEVER CONSUMER IS NOT SURE IF THE STALLING PROBLEM IS DUE TO THE FAULTY PART. *JB *SCC
NHTSA ODI #566445
Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2002
Unknown Or Other
DASHBOARD IS COMING LOOSE AND MAY CAUSE A PROBLEM WIITH PASSENGER AIR BAG. DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. *AK *TT
NHTSA ODI #8011572
Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2002
Electrical System
ELECTRICAL SHORT IN INTERIOR FUSE WIRE PANEL CAN CAUSE THE AN ENGINE FIRE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8011225
Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2002
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSteering
I OWN BOTH A 1998 AND 1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE WITH THE 2.5L V6 ENGINE. WHEN TRAVELING THROUGH STANDING WATER OR EVEN IN A HEAVY RAINSTORM THE POWER STEERING WILL FAIL, THE GENERATOR FAILURE LIGHT WILL LIGHT, AND THE SERPENTINE BELT WILL WHINE. THIS CAN LAST FROM 30 SEC TO A FEW MINUTES, AND REQUIRES ONE TO STOP DRIVING AS THE CA…
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I OWN BOTH A 1998 AND 1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE WITH THE 2.5L V6 ENGINE. WHEN TRAVELING THROUGH STANDING WATER OR EVEN IN A HEAVY RAINSTORM THE POWER STEERING WILL FAIL, THE GENERATOR FAILURE LIGHT WILL LIGHT, AND THE SERPENTINE BELT WILL WHINE. THIS CAN LAST FROM 30 SEC TO A FEW MINUTES, AND REQUIRES ONE TO STOP DRIVING AS THE CAR IS NO LONGER STEERABLE. I HAVE TAKEN MY 1998 TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR THIS AND THEY HAVE REPLACED THE BELT AND TENSIONER TWICE. THIS HAS NOT CHANGED THE PROBLEM, AND THE DEALER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER FOR HELP AND THEY HAD NO FURTHER INFORMATION OR SUGGESTIONS. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW FOR THIS SPECIFIC ENGINE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF EVASIVE MANEUVERS WERE REQUIRED WHILE DRIVING THRU STANDING WATER. I NOTE TWO OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON YOUR WEBSITE. FORD SHOULD DESIGN A FIX FOR THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #762575
Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WITHOUT WARNING CONSTANT NOISE AND BRAKE FAILURE. MECHANIC HAS REPLACED BRAKES 3 TIMES FREE OF CHARGE. CURRENTLY, MECHANIC AND MANUFACTURER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8004663
Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2001
Air BagsCrashInjury
VEHICLE WAS GOING 25-30MPH AND ANOTHER VEHICLE COMING NORTH TRIED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND THE TWO VEHICLES COLLIDED. CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS HIT HEAD-ON. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER HAD NECK/ SHOULDERS/ KNEES AND BACK INJURIES, CONSUMER WAS CURRENTLY TRYING TO CONTACT FORD TO FIND OUT WHY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK *SLC
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 BUILT WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WHICH UTILIZE A PARK/LOCK SOLENOID. IT IS POSSIBLE TO ROTATE THE IGNITION KEY TO THE LOCK POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT THE SHIFT LEVER AND TRANSMISSION BEING IN PARK. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES. VEHICLES THAT HAVE UNITS WITH IGNITION KEYS REMOVABLE IN GEAR POSITIONS OTHER THAN PARK, WILL HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED.
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
2
DP06004 · Instrument Panel Cover Warpage
Opened Oct 23, 2006 · Closed Apr 10, 2007
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure; Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:fan/motor
THE AGENCY HAS DENIED A PETITION REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF INSTRUMENT PANEL WARPAGE FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. THE NOTICE OF DENIAL WAS PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER, VOLUME 72, NUMBER 67, ON MONDAY, APRIL 9, 2007, PAGES 17605 AND 17606.SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH FOR DETAILS.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Structure
THE AGENCY HAS DENIED A PETITION REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF INSTRUMENT PANEL WARPAGE FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. THE NOTICE OF DENIAL WAS PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER, VOLUME 72, NUMBER 67, ON MONDAY, APRIL 9, 2007, PAGES 17605 AND 17606.SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH FOR DETAILS.
THE AGENCY HAS DENIED A PETITION REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF INSTRUMENT PANEL WARPAGE FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. THE NOTICE OF DENIAL WAS PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER, VOLUME 72, NUMBER 67, ON MONDAY, APRIL 9, 2007, PAGES 17605 AND 17606.SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH FOR DETAILS.
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
1999 Mercury Mystique Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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