IllustrationTHE BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. HAD BEEN TO MECHANIC & THE FUSE & LIGHT BULB WERE CHANGED. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. MECHANIC FEELS ITS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRES. *AK
1996 Mercury Mystique
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Mystique years
Owner complaints for the 1996 Mercury Mystique are substantially higher than the model-year median of 71.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Mystique years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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
Electrical System complaints
47 reportsWHILE GOING 35MPH AIR CONDITIONER BLEW OUT. SMELLED LIKE A FIRE. HAD THOUGHT IT WAS BLOWER MOTOR & BROUGHT ONE FROM DEALER. UNDER THE DASH ON RIGHT HAND SIDE, THE PLASTIC HARNESS WIRE COVERNING HAD BURNT. THE ELECTRIC WIRES ON THE BLOWER MOTOR HAD MELTED. *AK
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL FAILURES PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE (99V-103), WHICH WERE RELATED TO RECALL COMPONENT AND CAUSED BURNING OF WIRING. MJS
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, VEHICLE STALLED AND CUT OFF. ALSO,DEALER REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL WIRES BURNING OUT THE ALTERNATOR . *AK
WHILE TRAVELING BATTERY INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE ONLY STALLED ON WET ROAD. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
WE HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR SINCE WE BOUGHT IT. FIRST IT WAS THE DRIVESHAFT WHILE WE WERE TRAVELING THEN IT WAS THE PAINT STARTING TO CRACK, THEN IT WAS THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT WHEN IT WAS RAINING. DEALERSHIP HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS WRONG. JUST FOUND OUT WHEN MY HUSBAND TOOK A/C SWITCH OUT THAT IT WAS BURNED. CALLE…
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WE HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR SINCE WE BOUGHT IT. FIRST IT WAS THE DRIVESHAFT WHILE WE WERE TRAVELING THEN IT WAS THE PAINT STARTING TO CRACK, THEN IT WAS THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT WHEN IT WAS RAINING. DEALERSHIP HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS WRONG. JUST FOUND OUT WHEN MY HUSBAND TOOK A/C SWITCH OUT THAT IT WAS BURNED. CALLED DEALERSHIP WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENNED EVEN THOUGH WE STILL HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND WANTED MONEY OUT OF US. WE COULDN'T AFFORD IT. PLEASE SEE IF ANY OF THESE ARE DEFECTS TO WHERE A DEALER IN WEST PALM BEACH CAN CORRECT THE PROBLEM AT NO COST. OUR WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AT 60,000 MILES. CAR STILL VIBRATES AND WE HAVE NO A/C AND IT IS HOT HERE IN FLORIDA. WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO GET THE PAINT TAKEN CARE OF US THEY KNEW ABOUT IT FROM THE BEGINNING WHEN WE BOUGHT THE CAR. ALONG WITH THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT. THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. THIS WAS JIM HAYES FORD IN HARRISBURG, IL. WE NOW LIVE IN FLORIDA SO IF YOU CAN HELP US SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE. JEANETTE PRATHER PLEASE E-MAIL ANYTHING YOU HAVE TO JPRATH6@BELLSOUTH.NET. *AK
NO SUMMARY
NO SUMMARY( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P205R15 )
FIRE OCCURED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO INVESTIGATE. FORD SAYS THEY WOULD NOT INVESTIGATE AND WOULD NOT COMPENSATE FOR REPLACEMENT OF VEHICLE. INSURANCE WILL ONLY COVER MARKET VALUE WHICH DOES NOT REPLACE MY CAR. PLEASE ADVISE AS FAR AS LEGAL RECOURSE. DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING EITHER. IN …
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FIRE OCCURED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO INVESTIGATE. FORD SAYS THEY WOULD NOT INVESTIGATE AND WOULD NOT COMPENSATE FOR REPLACEMENT OF VEHICLE. INSURANCE WILL ONLY COVER MARKET VALUE WHICH DOES NOT REPLACE MY CAR. PLEASE ADVISE AS FAR AS LEGAL RECOURSE. DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING EITHER. IN THE MEAN TIME I CANNOT PURCHASE A SIMILAR VEHICLE FOR THE BLUE BOOK VALUE.
GAS CAP FAILED, CAUSING IT TO OPEN WITH TRUNK RELEASE.
Official recalls
701V230000 · Electrical System
Jul 9, 2001
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.
00V367000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Nov 6, 2000
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.
00V075000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components
Mar 9, 2000
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.
99V247000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
Sep 13, 1999
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.
99V103000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
May 5, 1999
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.
98V233000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
Sep 18, 1998
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.
97V225000 · Vehicle Speed Control:cables
Dec 8, 1997
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
5RQ02006 · 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.