FaultScore

1996 Mercury Mystique window and wiper problems

21 of the 303 complaints about the 1996 Mercury Mystique are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 7% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 53,000 miles.

F

21

Complaints

3

Crashes

0

Fires

3

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Power Window Devices AND Controls 11 52.4%
Windshield 4 19.0%
Electrical Heating Element 3 14.3%
Heater Core 1 4.8%
Fan/Motor 1 4.8%
Rearview Mirrors/Devices 1 4.8%

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers across every Mercury Mystique year

1995 20 24.1%
1996 21 25.3%
1997 10 12.0%
1998 18 21.7%
1999 14 16.9%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 53,000 miles Codorus, PA

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 99V103000 CONCERNING THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING.: HEADLIGHTS. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE DUE TO THE EXPENSE. *AK UPDATED 01/19/06.

NHTSA complaint #10145966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glendale, WI 1 injured

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

DT: THE DOOR LATCH ON DRIVER'S SIDE WOULD NOT SHUT, HAD TO GO TO JUNK YARD TO GET A PART AND PUT IT IN. THIS HAPPENED ON AUGUST 20, 2005. CONSUMER BRUISED HAND TRYING TO GET THE DOWN SHUT. THERE WAS CLICKING NOISE IN THE PANEL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT CONTROLS THE POWER WINDOWS. ALSO, THE KEY GOT HOT IN THE IGNITION.

NHTSA complaint #10133888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles ST. Louis Park, MN

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW CONTROL PANEL CORRODING AND THE WINDOW NOT OPERATING. I HAVE REPLACED JUST ABOUT EVERY PART POSSIBLE AND THE WINDOW STILL DOESN'T WORK.

NHTSA complaint #10069290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hempstead, AL

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

I REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR LAST SUMMER AND I HAD TO REPLACE IT AGAIN THIS SUMMER. I HAD TO REPLACE MY TAIL LIGHTS TWICE THE BRAKES IS ALWAYS GIVING ME PROBLEMS. THE WINDOW ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOESNT ROLL DOWN. WHEN IT RAIN THE FLOORS GET WET. I HAVE A HARD TIME PUTTING IT INTO GEAR AND TAKING IT OUT OF GEAR. IT STALLS TO CUT ON AND DRIVES REALLY ROUGH.I HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES NUMEROUS TIMES.THE SPEEDOMETER WENT OUT AND THE TEMPERTURE GAUGE AS WELL.THE AC DOSENT WORK AND IT TAKES A WHILE FOR THE HEAT TO WARM UP CAR.SOMETHING NEED TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS.

NHTSA complaint #10070271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 107,520 miles Trenton, NJ

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES

MY COMPLAINT INVOLVES A 1996 MERCURY MYSTIQUE INVOLVING A FAILURE OF ALL INTERIOR LIGHTING, SIDE MIRROR ADJUSTMENT, RADIO AND CLOCK RELATED TO A BLOWN FUSE #34 IN THE AUXLILLARY FUSE BOX. THE CAUSE WAS THE OVERHEAD MAP LIGHT ASSEMBLY WHICH HAD OVERHEATED AND THE PLASTIC RETAINING THE 10W BULB HOLDER MELTED ALLOWING THE METAL BULB HOLDER TO SLIDE IN THE MOLTEN PLASTIC UNTIL IT JUST BARELY CONTACTED A NEGATIVE BUS IN THE ASSEMBLY AND BLOWING THE FUSE.IT WAS A DIFFICULT PROBLEM TO DIAGNOSE BEING A SHORT WAS NOT PRESENT UNTIL THE CIRCUIT WAS FUSED AND THEN HEAT FROM THE BULB WOULD CAUSE THE METAL HOLDER TO EXPAND AND SHORT OUT BLOWING THE FUSE.I FEEL IT APPROPRIATE TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM AS I FEEL IF THE CONTACTS HAD NOT SHORTED AND BLOWN THE FUSE AND CONSIDERING IT BECAME HOT ENOUGH TO MELT THE PLASTIC IS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD AND I DON'T FEEL THE ASSEMBLY WAS ENGINEERED PROPERLY TO SUPPORT A 10W BULB.THERE HAS BEEN, I BELIEVE, EIGHT RECALLS TO DATE ON THIS MODEL, SEVERAL OF THOSE INVOLVED ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS.

NHTSA complaint #10029124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Barling, AR

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

2ND VIN#: [XXX] MERCURY MYSTIQUE #2, 1996. PURCHASED 6/97...BOTH MYSTIQUES' FRONT DRIVER'S & FRONT PASS WINDOWS FAILED DUE TO FAULTY REGULATORS & MOTORS. REAR WINDOWS ROLL DOWN ONLY 1/2 WAY, AND NOT WIDE ENOUGH FOR ESCAPE. RANDY KING, SERVICE MANAGER FOR CRAWFORD COUNTY FORD, STATED THAT THEY HAD MULTIPLE MYSTIQUES, SAME PROB. THEY DISCOUNTED ONLY 1/2 THE COST TO US. TOTAL SPENT TO DATE ON ALL 4 WINDOWS/2 CARS $800. PROBLEM INDICATED BY RANDY KING WAS POSSIBLE DANGER OF NOT BEING ABLE TO ESCAPE CAR IN EVENT OF EMERGENCY. OUR CONCERN IS IF DOORS ARE INOPERABLE DURING A CRASH OR WATER OR WHATEVER, PASSENGERS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT THE CAR IF THE REGULATORS/MOTORS FAIL. THEY FAIL IMMEDIATELY, SUDDENLY & WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING. THERE IS NO INDICATION BEFORE FAILURE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. ONCE FAILED, CANNOT GET WINDOW UP OR DOWN. IF NEED TO CONTACT US, PLEASE USE 479 AREA CODE. THANK YOU.OR . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #760081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Stoughton, MA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

SIDE WINDOWS MALFUNCTIONED. ALSO THERMOSTAT SHORTED OUT.

NHTSA complaint #752757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tulsa, OK

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

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.

NHTSA complaint #895916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tulsa, OK

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

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.

NHTSA complaint #895791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lafayette', LA

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

DRIVER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP. AT ALL. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #894877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ashdown, AR

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

WHEN TRYING TO PUT THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DOWN, YOU HAVE TO KEEP PUSHING THE BUTTON UNTIL IT FINALLY DECIDES TO GO DOWN. WHEN PUTTING IT UP IT IS THE SAME WAY, BUT IT TAKES FOREVER TO GET IT UP. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO OPEN THE DOOR OR PULL ON THE DOOR AND THEN IT MAY GO UP AND THEN AGAIN IT MAY NOT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO CRANE LINCOLN MERCURY TO GET IT LOOKED AT AND IN THE PROCESS THE ROLLED IT DOWN AND COULD NOT GET IT BACK UP. THEY TOLD ME THEY FINALLY GOT THE WINDOW UP BUT THE MOTOR WOULD NOT HOLD IT UP AND IT FELL BACK DOWN. NOW I AM FORCED TO BY A NEW MOTOR FOR MY WINDOW BECAUSE IT WON'T STAY UP. I HAVE BEEN VERY PLEASED WITH MY CAR UP UNTIL THIS . I AM VERY UPSET ABOUT ALL OF THIS BECAUSE IT IS COSTING ME OVER $300 TO GET IT FIXED, I HAVE TO HAVE IT FIXED BECAUSE I CAN'T DRIVE WITH MY WINDOW DOWN ALL OF THE TIME BECAUSE OF THE RAIN. THANK YOU, [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #743282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jacksonville, IL

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

CONSUMER HAS NOTICED THAT FOR NO APPARENT REASON WINDSHIELD HAS DEVELOPED A STRESS FRACTUR. ALSO , WHEN DRIVING THERE IS VIBRATION COMING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE, AND HEATER BLOWER SWTICH WAS INOPERABLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #883912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jacksonville, IL

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT

CONSUMER HAS NOTICED THAT FOR NO APPARENT REASON WINDSHIELD HAS DEVELOPED A STRESS FRACTUR. ALSO , WHEN DRIVING THERE IS VIBRATION COMING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE, AND HEATER BLOWER SWTICH WAS INOPERABLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #883912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Salem, OR

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

MY HEATER CONTROL KNOB FOR HIGH,MED,LOW ONLY WORK IN THE LOW POSITION. MY REAR BRAKE LIGHT HAD A LEAK,ALLOWING WATER TO FILL UP AND BLOW MY LIGHT BULBS.THERE IS A TICKING NOISE IN MY DASH AS IF MY TURN SIGNALS IS RUNNING, BUT NO FLASH ON THE INDICATORS. WHEN I SIGNAL TO TAKE TURNS IT WORKS FINE BUT WHEN NOT TURNING STILL MAKES CLICKING NOISE. TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN OCTOBER 2000, I HEARD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN MY VEHICAL.. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

NHTSA complaint #740565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brooklyn, NY Crash 1 injured

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

TRANSMISSION FAILURE 2 YEARS AFTER CAR WAS PURCHASED, ENGINE REPLACED 2 YEARS AFTER PURCHASE. HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY BROKE 1 YEAR AFTER PURCHASE OF CAR. CAR DRIVES EXTREMELY HOT - TO NEAR OVER HEATING POINT. TRUNK LEAKS WHEN IT RAINS. DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MALFUNCTIONING. INSTRUMENT PANEL MALFUNCTIONED (WAS FIXED BEFORE RECALL). CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY EVEN AFTER TUNE UP/ MAJOR WORK DONE.

NHTSA complaint #734274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brooklyn, NY Crash 1 injured

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

TRANSMISSION FAILURE 2 YEARS AFTER CAR WAS PURCHASED, ENGINE REPLACED 2 YEARS AFTER PURCHASE. HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY BROKE 1 YEAR AFTER PURCHASE OF CAR. CAR DRIVES EXTREMELY HOT - TO NEAR OVER HEATING POINT. TRUNK LEAKS WHEN IT RAINS. DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MALFUNCTIONING. INSTRUMENT PANEL MALFUNCTIONED (WAS FIXED BEFORE RECALL). CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY EVEN AFTER TUNE UP/ MAJOR WORK DONE.

NHTSA complaint #734274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Murfreesboro, NC

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

DRIVER SIDE WINDOW IS INOPERATIVE. YH

NHTSA complaint #550409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Temple Hills, MD

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

BODY PAINT-ACID LIKE BLEMISHES; BRAKES-PREMATURE WEARING OUT; SEAT- DRIVER'S SEAT LOOSE; SEAT BELT- BELT DOES NOT RETRACT FULLY AND CATCHES IN CLOSING DOOR ,RESULTING IN BROKEN BUTTON; ENGINE(COLD STARTS)- ENGINE PRONE TO STALLING AND LOW IDLE SPEED; REMOTE TRUNK AND FUEL FILLER DOOR RELEASE - REMOTE RELEASE DOES NOT ALWAYS FUNCTION; WATER LEAKS INTO TRUNK WHILE TRUNK IS OPEN; VEHICLE RIDES HARSHLY - STRUTS CHECKED AND NO TROUBLE FOUND; AUTO TRANSMISSION SHIFTING DIFFICULTY SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO PARK; TRUNK LOCK INOPERABLE DURING COLD WEATHER; POWER WINDOWS BINDING.

NHTSA complaint #715417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rutherglen, VA

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT

THE FAN SWITCH IS CAUSING OVERHEATING AND MELTING OF THE WIRE HARNESS. THE HIGH/ MEDIUM/ LOW CONTROL DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN ACTIVATED. NIETHER, WILL FAN RUN ON ONE SPEED ONLY. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #846273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hornell, NY

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES WHEN IN DRIVE AND STOPS AT RED LIGHT. ALSO WHEN HEATER FAN IS ON WE GET A BAD OIL FUMES/SMELLS . WE HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALERS 7OR 8 TIMES . THEY STILL HAVEN'T FOUND THE PROBLEM. THE SMELL SOMETIMES GETS VERY BAD.

NHTSA complaint #703113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Leeburg, GA Crash

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

THE VEHICLE HIT A POTHOLE IN WHICH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, AND THE WINDSHIELD ALSO CRACKED. *AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WAS ONLY TRAVELING 5 MPH, DASH ALSO HAS A SPLIT. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #816210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1996 Mercury Mystique problems

← Full 1996 Mercury Mystique report