FaultScore report
Owners have filed 100 complaints about the 1997 Mercury Mystique with NHTSA between 1997 and 2012. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 6 worst.
FaultScore 31/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Mercury Mystique.
How this is worked out100
Complaints
4
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
88,000 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
6%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 62,500 miles
0 crashes, 2 fires · median 78,000 mi
2 crashes, 0 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
INCORRECT GEAR INDICATION
BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS
BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS
VARIOUS INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL ISSUES
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
SUSPENSION
FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Risk: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.
Risk: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1995-1997 FORD CONTOUR AND MERCURY MYSTIQUE VEHICLES. THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR COULD OVERHEAT CAUSING THE ATTACHED ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TO MELT.
Risk: THIS COULD CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
Risk: THE OPEN CIRCUIT COULD LEAD TO ELECTRICAL ARCING THAT COULD MELT THE CONNECTOR HOUSING MATERIAL CREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
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.
Risk: 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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TERMINALS AT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN EXPERIENCE HEAT DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF OVERHEATING.
Risk: THE DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN DISTORTION OF THE TERMINAL CAUSING AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION, PARKING LAMP, AND TAIL LAMP CIRCUITS.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
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.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INCORRECT GEAR SELECTION.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Other
Certain passenger vehicles sold in New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Quebec . The front coil springs may fracture as a result of corrosion in high corrosion environments. Depending on the location of the fracture, a broken spring could move past the spring seat and contact a front tire in some cases. Some tires have deflated due to contact with a broken spring. Correction : Dealers will install spring catcher brackets.
Powertrain
Certain passenger vehicles. 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. The heater blower resistor may overheat causing the attached electrical connector to melt, creating the potential for a fire. Correction: Dealers will install a new heater blower resistor and a new wire jumper harness.
Brakes
On certain vehicles, the pressure conscious reducing valve (PCRV) in each of the rear brakes may be subject to malfunction due to corrosion when operated in areas of high road salt use. If both PCRVs malfunction, vehicle handling may be adversely affected during braking as a result of the rear wheels locking, which could potentially result in a vehicle crash. Correction: Dealers will install improved PCRVs in the rear brake system.
Lights And Instruments
On certain vehicles, the terminals at the headlight switch and wiring harness connector may experience heat damage as a result of overheating. This can cause distortion of the terminal and an open circuit in the instrument panel illumination, parking lamp and tail lamp circuits. Correction: Dealers will install a headlamp switch wiring connector containing bronze terminals and inspect and if necessary, replace the headlamp switch.
Powertrain
On certain vehicles, the floor shift automatic transmission control may be damaged if subjected to certain vehicle interior cleaning products. If exposed to these products, the transmission gear position indicator may deteriorate and not correctly indicate the actual gear position. If this occurs, the shifter will continue to operate normally, but there is the potential for incorrect gear selection. Correction: Automatic transmission floor shift control will be replaced.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIRBAGS DEPLOYED UPON MINOR COLLISION WITH VEHICLE IN FRONT. DAMAGE TO BUMPER NOT SIGNIFICANT. BODY SHOP AND INSURANCE ADJUSTER FEEL DAMAGE NOT CONSISTENT WITH 4G FORCE REQUIRED TO DEPLOY AIRBAGS.
NHTSA complaint #754115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO HIT BRAKES TO DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL AND SLOW DOWN, BUT VEHICLE SPEEDED UP, LOST CONTROL, AND HIT A GUARDRAIL. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT DEALER. *AK
NHTSA complaint #897536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR
HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR OVERHEATED, RESULTING IN A FIRE, AND TOTALLING VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #895871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND SHIFTING INTO PARK ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, AND VEHICLE HIT A BUILDING WALL. NO INJURY WAS REPORTED. REPAIRS WERE BEING DONE AT DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #888973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRYING VEHICLE AFTER WASHING IT AT CARWASH NOTICED SMOKE FROM UNDER HOOD. LIFTED HOOD & ELECTRICAL WIRES WERE ON FIRE. HAD FIRE EXTINGUISHED. THERE WAS SOME DAMAGE TO WIRES, INCLUDING WIPER MOTOR. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE TO DEALER & MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO REPAIR DAMAGE.
NHTSA complaint #876754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
I WAS DRYING MY CAR OFF AFTER WASHING IT; THE ENGINE WAS OFF AND THE WIRING UNDER THE HOOD JUST BEYOND THE DASH ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE STARTED SMOKING AND CAUGHT FIRE. AFTER THE FIRE WENT OUT, WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE, THE WIPERS CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF UNTIL I REMOVED THE FUSE. ALL PANEL LIGHTS ARE OFF. PREVIOUSLY, ABOUT SIX WEEKS BEFORE THE FIRE EVENT, THE PANEL LIGHTS FUSE BLEW (WHEN IT WAS RAINING) AND I REPLACED IT AND THE PANEL LIGHTS WERE DIM.
NHTSA complaint #734789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED A LEAK UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE PRESSURE CONSCIOUS REGULATING VALVE ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V075000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS) AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 93,000. UPDATED 8/23/12
NHTSA complaint #10466815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MY 97 MERCURY MYSTIQUE HAS A BAD BRAKE FLUID LEAK FROM A PART ON THE BRAKE LINE (PRESSURE CONSCIOUS RELEASE VALVE) THAT WAS RECALLED #06E022000. FLUID MUST BE ADDED EVERY FEW DAYS WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON. FORD TELLS ME THERE IS NO RECALL INFO FOR MY CAR AND WON'T DO ANYTHING. THEY COULD NOT SAY IF ANY RECALL WORK HAD BEEN DONE ON MY CAR. BOTTOM LINE, THIS IS NOT PREVENTATIVE, MY CAR IS DANGEROUSLY LEAKING BRAKE FLUID FROM A RECALLED PART.
NHTSA complaint #10463487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
MY 97 MERCURY MYSTIQUE HAS A BAD BRAKE FLUID LEAK FROM A PART ON THE BRAKE LINE (PRESSURE CONSCIOUS RELEASE VALVE) THAT WAS RECALLED #06E022000. FLUID MUST BE ADDED EVERY FEW DAYS WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON. FORD TELLS ME THERE IS NO RECALL INFO FOR MY CAR AND WON'T DO ANYTHING. THEY COULD NOT SAY IF ANY RECALL WORK HAD BEEN DONE ON MY CAR. BOTTOM LINE, THIS IS NOT PREVENTATIVE, MY CAR IS DANGEROUSLY LEAKING BRAKE FLUID FROM A RECALLED PART.
NHTSA complaint #10463487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE VEHICLE IS NOT SHIFTING INTO THE PROPER GEARS. IT JUST STARTED HAPPENING ONE DAY. IT HAS TO BE IN DRIVE 2 AT THE START OF DRIVING AND WHEN IT GETS TO A CERTAIN POINT IT MUST BE SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. THIS OCCURS EVERYTIME I DRIVE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE AS OF YET TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10257128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE BLOCK OF THE ENGINE WAS BURNED.
NHTSA complaint #10245606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
CAR HAD A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH EXTERIOR LIGHTS WHEN MY PARENTS OWNED IT ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO. THE PARKING LIGHTS STOPPED OPERATING. PER SUGGESTION OF FORD TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP AND PAID $85 FOR AN EVALUATION. THEY INDICATED I HAD TWO OPEN WIRES AND THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST WOULD EXCEED $2,000 TO REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS.
NHTSA complaint #10182996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE OVERDRIVE ACTIVATED ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHERE A CERTIFIED MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT EITHER THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE SENSOR OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL #98V233000, REGARDING THE POWERTRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: LEVER AND LINKAGE: FLOOR SHIFT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. ALSO, THE CLOCK LIGHT ON THE INSRUMENT PANEL WENT PERMANENTLY OUT. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT LOCATED ON TOP OF THE REAR WINDOW WOULD ILLUMINATE IN A DISTORTED PATTERN. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WAS MADE UP OF 9 MINI LIGHTS, AND 3 LIGHTS WOULD LIGHT UP WHILE BRAKING. ON OTHER OCCASIONS, 4 OR 5 LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL #99V103000 REGARDING EXTERIOR LIGHTING: HEADLIGHTS: SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10173033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE OVERDRIVE ACTIVATED ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHERE A CERTIFIED MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT EITHER THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE SENSOR OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL #98V233000, REGARDING THE POWERTRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: LEVER AND LINKAGE: FLOOR SHIFT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. ALSO, THE CLOCK LIGHT ON THE INSRUMENT PANEL WENT PERMANENTLY OUT. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT LOCATED ON TOP OF THE REAR WINDOW WOULD ILLUMINATE IN A DISTORTED PATTERN. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WAS MADE UP OF 9 MINI LIGHTS, AND 3 LIGHTS WOULD LIGHT UP WHILE BRAKING. ON OTHER OCCASIONS, 4 OR 5 LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL #99V103000 REGARDING EXTERIOR LIGHTING: HEADLIGHTS: SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10173033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE OVERDRIVE ACTIVATED ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHERE A CERTIFIED MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT EITHER THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE SENSOR OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL #98V233000, REGARDING THE POWERTRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: LEVER AND LINKAGE: FLOOR SHIFT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. ALSO, THE CLOCK LIGHT ON THE INSRUMENT PANEL WENT PERMANENTLY OUT. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT LOCATED ON TOP OF THE REAR WINDOW WOULD ILLUMINATE IN A DISTORTED PATTERN. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WAS MADE UP OF 9 MINI LIGHTS, AND 3 LIGHTS WOULD LIGHT UP WHILE BRAKING. ON OTHER OCCASIONS, 4 OR 5 LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL #99V103000 REGARDING EXTERIOR LIGHTING: HEADLIGHTS: SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10173033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE OVERDRIVE ACTIVATED ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHERE A CERTIFIED MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT EITHER THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE SENSOR OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL #98V233000, REGARDING THE POWERTRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: LEVER AND LINKAGE: FLOOR SHIFT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. ALSO, THE CLOCK LIGHT ON THE INSRUMENT PANEL WENT PERMANENTLY OUT. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT LOCATED ON TOP OF THE REAR WINDOW WOULD ILLUMINATE IN A DISTORTED PATTERN. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WAS MADE UP OF 9 MINI LIGHTS, AND 3 LIGHTS WOULD LIGHT UP WHILE BRAKING. ON OTHER OCCASIONS, 4 OR 5 LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL #99V103000 REGARDING EXTERIOR LIGHTING: HEADLIGHTS: SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10173033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
RECALL ON 1997 MERCURY MYSTIQUE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID# 48V233000. POWER TRAIN. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LEVER AND LINKAGE FLOOR SHIFT. DEALER REFUSING TO HONOR RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10170229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NO. 98V233000. THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING TO MY 1997 MERCURY MYSTIQUE, THE GEAR POSITION INDICATOR IS DETERIORATE AND IS NOT CORRECTLY INDICATING THE ACTUAL GEAR POSITION. I CALLED FORD MOTOR CO. AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DO ANY THING ABOUT IT!
NHTSA complaint #10132995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
I HAVE REPLACED THE DRIVERS HEADREST ONCE (ABOUT 4-YEARS AGO), AND NOW FIND THAT THE PASSENGER HEADREST IS BROKEN. DEALER SAYS REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE USED PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #10129791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT: THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE BLOWER RESISTOR WAS FIXED WHICH WERE ON RECALL. ON 4-22-05 AND ON 5-06-05 WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR GAVE A TICKING NOISE. THEN THE CAR GAVE A PUFF OF BLUE AND BLACK SMOKE AND THE CAR STOPPED. AFTER THE MECHANIC LOOKED AT THE CAR, THE MECHANIC SAID THE ENGINE WAS GONE. THE CAR UNDERWENT REGULAR CHECK UPS AND OIL CHANGES. THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS THAT THE ENGINE WAS HAVING ANY PROBLEMS OR MALFUNCTIONS. THE ENGINE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE COST FOR REPLACING WAS MORE THAN THE CONSUMER CAN AFFORD.
NHTSA complaint #10120999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DID NOT ILLUMINATE WHICH CAUSED THE TAIL LIGHTS TO FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #10115499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DID NOT ILLUMINATE WHICH CAUSED THE TAIL LIGHTS TO FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #10115499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
GEAR SHIFTER INDICATOR MALFUNCTIONS, AND DOESN'T INDICATE THE GEAR THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN. THERE IS A SHIFT LEVER DAMAGE RECALL 98V233000, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10071755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILED WHILE IN MOTION. T WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10069177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
APPARENTLY FORD/MERC IN THEIR ULTIMATE WISDOM PLACED THE CATALYTIV CONVERTER IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THEY ALL SEEM TO PLUG UP AROUND 140,000 TO 170,000 KM. THE LABOUR ALONE IS OVER $600.00 PLUS THE PARTS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE AND BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR NEED TO BE REPLACED OR THE CAR WILL START TO LOSE POWER. SO I HAVE A VEHICLE THAT UP UNTIL NOW RAN WELL AND HAD GOOD GAS MILAGE. NOW IT IS WORTH $2500.00 DOLLARS ON A TRADE IN BUT THE REPAIRS ARE $ 2600.00 SO THE CAR IS ACTUALLY A TOTAL RIGHT OFF. EVERYTHING ELSE WORKS. GREAT FORD YOU HAVE DEFINITELY LOST A CUSTOMER FOR LIFE!
NHTSA complaint #10071363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
CONSUMER STATED THE TAIL LIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS DID NOT WORK. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL # 99V103000 CONCERNING HEADLIGHT SWITCH/WIRING HARNESS DEFECT. BUT BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. SHE WANTED TO KNOW WHY, SHE DID NOT THINK THIS WAS FAIR.*AK CONSUMER SPOKE WITH THREE OTHER MECHANICS WHOM STATED THE MILEAGE SHOULDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL. *PH
NHTSA complaint #10034407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT
WHILE DRIVING HEATER BLOWER SWITCH OVERHEATED, ALMOST RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10029945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
CAR ENGINE WHILE DRIVING JUST STOPS. DEALER CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM AFTER NUMEROUS TRIES. CAR WILL IMMEDIATELY RE-START BUT THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF NOT CORRECTED. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10020961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED, HOWEVER THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10009038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION ON THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10003614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHILE APPROACHING STOP SIGN, THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE REASON THAT THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR IS BECAUSE THE HOSE THAT CARRIES THE BRAKE FLUID TO THE BRAKES WAS SEVERED BY FAULT OF THE DESIGN OF THE MANUFACTURER. THE HOSE RESTS AGAINST THE REAR SHOCKS AND OVER TIME WAS DUG INTO BY THE METAL SHOCKS AND EVENTUALLY CUT THE HOSE. CAUSING COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #8016030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.