204 of the
1,510 complaints filed about the Mercury Mystique
are about the electrical system —
14% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1995.
1998 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. ELECTRICAL SUB-HARNESS CONNECTOR PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HIS MECHANIC, BECAUSE THE AC WASN'T COOLING PROPERLY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD OVER HEAT, WHILE IT WAS ON. THE VEHICLE HAS TWO FANS IN THE FRONT AND THEY FOUND THE COOLING FAN MELTED AND THE SUB-HARNESS CONNECTOR BURNED UP. IN ADDITION, THEY SHOWED THE CONSUMER THE PART OF THE SUB-HARNESS WITH THE INSULATION JUST FALLING OFF THE WIRE. THEY HAD TO REPLACED THE FAN MOTOR UNIT AND HAD TO SPLICE IN A FAN CONNECTOR AND WIRE INTO THE REST OF THE SUB-HARNESS, BECAUSE FOR SAID THE SUB-HARNESS WAS OBSOLETE AND NOT AVAILABLE. WHILE IT FUNCTIONS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS SINCE ILLUMINATED FOR A CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR, WHICH THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WAS RELATED TO THE SUB-HARNESS. ALSO, THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS, BALL JOINTS, FRONT STRUTS, REAR STRUTS AND REAR MOUNTS, NUMEROUS O2 SENSORS, RADIO ANTENNA, RACK AND PINION, DRIVERS SIDE POWER WINDOW AND SWITCH CONTROLLER WERE ALL REPLACED. THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10637913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I AM THE 2ND OWNER OF MY 1998 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2004. IT HAS A COMPUTER DEFECT THAT GIVES A FALSE READING FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THIS CAR QUALIFIED FOR THE NJ LEMON LAW BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH ITS 1ST OWNER. HOWEVER, THAT OWNER WAS TOO KIND TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE PREVIOUS OWNER GAVE ME A FILE FILLED WITH SERVICE INFORMATION FROM THE DATE HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, BRAND NEW IN DECEMBER 1997. SHORTLY AFTER HIS PURCHASE HE HAD THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. HE HAD IT BACK A COUPLE MORE TIMES FOR THE SAME THING AND THEY ALWAYS FIXED IT. OBVIOUSLY, THEY PUT A BAND-AID ON A MAJOR DEFECT. I NOTICED THE LIGHT WAS ON WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE FORMER OWNER SAID HE HAD IT CHECKED AND WAS TOLD NOT TO PAY ATTENTION TO IT. WELL, SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN TOLD AT INSPECTION THAT IT HAS TO BE FIXED EVERY TIME. SO IT GOES TO MY MECHANIC WHO WILLS REPAIR/REPLACE THE NECESSARY PARTS PER THAT DAY'S COMPUTER READING. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS (OCCASIONALLY MONTHS) THE LIGHT GOES ON AGAIN. PREVIOUS TO THIS YEARS INSPECTION (DECEMBER 31ST) I HAD MY FRIEND LOOK IT OVER AND HE REPLACED THE VALVE/SENSOR THAT WAS DEFECTED (PER THAT DAYS COMPUTER READING). WELL, RIGHT BEFORE INSPECTION THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT BACK ON. AND OF COURSE, SINCE IT WAS ON, IT FAILED AGAIN. I MENTIONED TO THE INSPECTOR THAT IT HAD A HISTORY OF THIS PROBLEM. I ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY RECOURSE AND HE TOLD ME TO LOOK INTO THE NJ WAIVER PROGRAM. I CALLED THE MOTOR VEHICLE COMMISSION TO LEARN ABOUT THE WAIVER PROGRAM. I UNDERSTAND TO BE CONSIDERED, THE REPAIR COST HAS TO BE ABOUT $400 OR MORE. SOME TIME AGO THE REPAIR COSTS LIMIT WAS ABOUT $250 OR MORE. WELL, FOR THE REPAIR I HAD DONE BEFORE THIS LAST INSPECTION, IT COST ME ABOUT $250 AGAIN. I BELIEVE THAT FOR THESE REASONS I SHOULD QUALIFY FOR A VEHICLE WAIVER FOR THE EMISSIONS INSPECTION OF MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10258386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE UNDER HOOD WIRE HARNESS BURNED UP. THIS CAR HAS 89,000 MILES AND RUNS GOOD. I HEARD THERE WAS A RECALL / TSB #( ONP 99M03) ON THIS CAR BUT FORD WILL NOT HONOR IT BECAUSE THE CAR IS OVER 10 YEARS OLD. I THINK FORD SHOULD REIMBURSE FOR REPAIRS OR BUY BACK THE CAR. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AS THE CAR WILL STALL ABRUPTLY AND LOSE POWER STEERING.
NHTSA complaint #10254653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY HUSBAND AND I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC FROM AN APPOINTMENT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTS SMOKING WITHIN A QUICK SECOND THE FRONT LEFT SIDE BURST INTO FLAMES, ELECTRICAL WINDOWS WOULDN'T WORK AND THE BRAKES FAILED, THE WE HAD TO RIDE TRAFFIC UNTIL WE COULD MOVE OVER TO THE CURVE AT THIS TIME THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD TO BE USED IN ORDER TO STOP THE CAR AND I HAD TO MOVE MYSELF OUT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10253621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC BECAUSE THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR FAILED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT HER FUSE BOX MELTED, WHICH CAUSED THE BLOWER MOTOR TO FAIL. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND A REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V230000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 114,708.
NHTSA complaint #10229723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
INSTRUMENT DASH PANEL COVER IS , AND HAS CONTINUED TO PEEL BACK AT THE DEFROST VENTS AT THE WINDSHIELD SINCE 2003. IT APPEARS THE GLUE HAD BEGUN TO FAIL. EACH TIME I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE MY CONCERNS AND COMPLAINT OF THE DASH BOARD WERE LARGELY IGNORED. SIMPLY BLOWN OFF TO SAY IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. WHEN ASKED IF THERE HAD BEEN ANY RECALL OR WIDESPREAD COMPLAINTS I WAS TOLD NO TO BOTH QUESTIONS. IT WAS ONLY RECENTLY I DISCOVERED ON A GOVERNMENT RECALL SITE THERE HAD ACTUALLY BEEN A CUSTOMER SERVICE ACTION OFFERED TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. I DID NOT RECEIVE THIS NOTIFICATION. I AM VERY DISSATISFIED TO LEARN THAT NOT ONLY WASN'T I NOTIFIED OF THIS OFFER, MY DIRECT QUESTIONS TOWARDS THIS CONCERN PRODUCED ANSWERS THAT WERE INACCURATE. THIS SITUATION TROUBLES ME DEEPLY AS I PREPARE FOR THE PURCHASE OF MY NEXT NEW CAR. I THINK. IS THIS THE HONESTY ( OR SHOULD I SAY LACK OF HONESTY FROM A CAR MANUFACTURER ) AS I DECIDE WHAT MANUFACTURERS VEHICLE AND SERVICE WILL BEST SATISFY MY EXPECTATIONS AS A NEW CAR CONSUMER. MY FAMILIES ARE LOYAL CUSTOMERS AND CURRENT OWNERS OF FORD, LINCOLN, MERCURY PRODUCTS. THESE INCLUDE LINCOLN CONTINENTAL, FORD EXPLORER, MERCURY MYSTIQUE , AND FORD TAURUS. I WAS LEANING TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF THE 2009 MERCURY MARINER. IN LIGHT OF MY CURRENT FINDINGS I'M NOT SO SURE I WILL STILL CHOOSE ONE OF YOUR VEHICLES. HAVING RELATIVES WHO ARE CURRENTLY LONG TIME EMPLOYEES OF F,L,M, AS WELL AS RETIRED FAMILY MEMBERS FROM F,L,MERC. I KNOW THAT THEY TOO ARE CONSIDERING PURCHASE OF NEW VEHICLES ALSO IN THE NEAR FUTURE. I REALLY EXPECT A RESPONSE FROM SOMEONE IN HELPING ME RESOLVE THE ISSUE I'M HAVING. DISSATISFIED CONSUMER. CYNTHIA JOHNSON-JERMAN
NHTSA complaint #10227159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2000 MYSTIQUE LS, ENGINE STALL 7 TIMES OVER THE LAST 10 MONTHS. AFTER MULTIPLE REPAIRS, THE MERCURY DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.
NHTSA complaint #10224151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON YOUR WEB SITE I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL RECALLS ON 95 MERCURY MYSTIQUE'S ONE IS REGARDING THE AC UNIT AND THE WIRES BURNING UP AS WELL AS A FLOOR SHIFTER PROBLEM CAUSING THE SHIFTER NOT TO INDICATE THE CORRECT GEAR. I WENT TO FRIENDLY FORD AND THEY STATED TO ME THAT MY VEHICLE'S VIN # WAS NOT IN THE DATA BASE AS HAVING ANY RECALLS. I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THESE TWO ISSUES ARE IN FACT OCCURRING IN MY 95 MYSTIQUE. I HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT BY MECHANIC'S AND THESE TWO ISSUES ARE IN FACT ON MY CAR AND I NEED THEM TO BE FIXED UNDER THE RECALLS.
NHTSA complaint #10221342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE AND SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED INACCURATE READINGS. IN ADDITION, THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL FLICKER ON AND OFF SPORADICALLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HE FELT EXCESSIVE HEAT UNDERNEATH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND THEY ARE CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE FAILED COMPONENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
NHTSA complaint #10218534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. THE PARKING LIGHTS ON THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE ALONG WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V103000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 138,552.
NHTSA complaint #10217287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD MERCURY MYSTIQUE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE SPEED ODOMETER WENT FROM ZERO TO 120, THE RMP WENT UP TO 40,000, THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS FAILED AND THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER DRIVABLE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (NHTSA CAMPAIGN #01V230000) HOWEVER; THE MANUFACTURE STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,500 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE 61,900.
NHTSA complaint #10198423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY MYSTIQUE WITH A CURRENT ODOMETER READING OF 149,000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING INSULATION CRACKED AND LEFT THE WIRES EXPOSES, WHICH COULD CAUSE SHORT CIRCUITS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN OWNER NOTIFICATION ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT THE MANUFACTURER NEVER FIXED THE VEHICLE, AND THE CAMPAIGN EXPIRED. SEVERAL ELECTRICAL ITEMS UNDER THIS PROBLEM STARTED TO FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #10186731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
CAR HAS HAD INCREASING NUMBER OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS...CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. MECHANICS COULDN'T FIND WHAT WAS TRIGGERING IT AFTER REPLACING THE OXYGEN SENSORS REPEATEDLY. OTHER TWITCHES (STALLING, BURNED UP TURN SIGNAL MODULE,) FINALLY CULMINATING IN COMPLETE BRAKE LIGHT AND REVERSE LIGHT FAILURE. TOOK THE CAR BACK TO MY MECHANICS, WHO REPLACED THE SIGNAL MODULE, AND SHOWED ME THE BURN MARKS ON IT. THEY STATED THAT THEY TRIED TO GET THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO WORK, AND FOUND THAT THE PRIMARY WIRING HARNESS WAS JUST DISINTEGRATING (INSULATION FAILURES ALL OVER.) THEY CALLED FORD/MERCURY BEFORE THEY TOLD ME OF THIS PROBLEM, AND WERE TOLD THAT FORD/MERC WOULD REPLACE THE HARNESS AS LONG AS THE CAR HADN'T GONE OVER 100K MILES, AND WAS NOT MORE THAN TEN YEARS OLD (IT WASN'T.) DROPPED THE CAR AT A LOCAL FORD DEALER, WHO CALLED ME BACK TO SAY THAT THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN GLAD TO REPLACE THE HARNESS, HAD I FOUND THE PROBLEM PRIOR TO JAN 2006. THEY PROMPTLY INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO REPLACE THE HARNESS FOR ABOUT $2,000.00 I INFORMED THEM THAT I'D BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO PERFORM BRAIN SURGERY ON THEM WITH A WEEDEATER AT NO CHARGE. I'LL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT IN MY LIFE, AND I UNFORTUNATELY CURRENTLY OWN FIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10167604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S DASH WARPED ON 10/15/06 CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER VENT COVER TO POP OUT OF PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SHORTLY AFTER AND DETERMINED THAT A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 0346 WITH NHTSA ITEM #10001899 HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD WAS REPLACED ON 04/17/06.
NHTSA complaint #10163771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE HAD A SHUTDOWN OF THE HEATER/AC FAN DUE TO MELTING OF THE WIRING HARNESS DESCRIBED BELOW. I REPLACED IT ONCE A COUPLE YEARS AGO AND IT JUST FRIED AGAIN. I WAS UNAWARE OF AN IDENTIFIED PROBLEM PRIOR TO THIS UNTIL I SAW THIS NO THE INTERNET. I LIVE IN THE DESERT AND IS CURRENTLY TRIPLE DIGIT TEMPERATURES AND IS IMPERATIVE I GET THIS FIXED. I CHECKED MY VIN NUMBER AND IT IS NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL LIST BUT FROM THE PRIOR EXPERIENCE I HAVE HAD WITH THIS PROBLEM IN MY CAR, I FEEL IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. CAN YOU HELP ME? SYMPTOMS> COMPLETE SHUTDOWN OF A/C, HEATING. FAN SYSTEM AND AN ODOR OF SOMETHING BURNED. LAST TIME THE HARNESS WAS FRIED AND THE HARNESS WAS REPLACED (BUT I DID NOT KNOW OF THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE THEN) BUT THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTER WAS NOT REPLACED. CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V230000 DATE: 2001-JUL-09 COMPONENT: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DEFECT SUMMARY: ON CERTAIN MY 1996-1998 PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY, CUAUTITLAN ASSEMBLY PLANTS OR ON MY 1999 PASSENGER VEHICLES 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 SUMMARY: THE OPEN CIRCUIT COULD LEAD TO ELECTRICAL ARCING THAT COULD MELT THE CONNECTOR HOUSING MATERIAL CREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE. CORRECTIVE SUMMARY: 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.
NHTSA complaint #10158017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.