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1997 Mercury Mystique

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Mercury Mystique do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 71.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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: 12 of 71 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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports3 fire reports2 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

13 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE BLOCK OF THE ENGINE WAS BURNED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10245606

80,000 miles · May 16, 2005
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. …

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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. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10120999

165,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

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 LOS…

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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 ODI #10071363

Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED, HOWEVER THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10009038

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE BECAME HOT AND THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. *AK THE SPEED SENSOR AND EGR VALVE WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE CONTINUED CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #8001452

Mileage unknown · Jun 18, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE OIL SEALS HAVE FAILED SINCE I GOT THIS CAR JUST OVER A YEAR AGO. I DON'T DRIVE IT ENOUGH FOR IT TO BE A PROBLEM THAT I HAVE STARTED. I ONLY DRIVE FROM MY HOUSE TO THE SUBWAY WHICH IS ABOUT 6 BLOCKS AWAY. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY TO GET THIS RECURRING PROBLEM FIXED AND STILL HAVE TO PAY A …

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THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE OIL SEALS HAVE FAILED SINCE I GOT THIS CAR JUST OVER A YEAR AGO. I DON'T DRIVE IT ENOUGH FOR IT TO BE A PROBLEM THAT I HAVE STARTED. I ONLY DRIVE FROM MY HOUSE TO THE SUBWAY WHICH IS ABOUT 6 BLOCKS AWAY. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY TO GET THIS RECURRING PROBLEM FIXED AND STILL HAVE TO PAY A CAR NOTE WHEN THE CAR IS SITTING IN MY BACKYARD!*AK

NHTSA ODI #763202

Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

GASKET BLEW... FORD 'FIXED'. TWO GASKETS BLEW... FORD CLAIMED ENGINE WAS NOT HARMED. I GOT RID OF THE CAR BEFORE MY WARRANTY RAN UOT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #737454

Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON, INDEPENDENT SERVICE STATION DETECTED POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH THERMOSTAT. DEALER REPLACED SENSOR, CHARGED $211.00. TWO DAYS LATER LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. DEALER DETECTED THERMOSTAT, HAD TO ORDER PART AND REPLACED. TWO WEEKS LATER TEMPERATURE 20 DEGREES, CAR TOOK OVER 30 MINUTES TO HEAT UP AND ICE FORMED…

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ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON, INDEPENDENT SERVICE STATION DETECTED POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH THERMOSTAT. DEALER REPLACED SENSOR, CHARGED $211.00. TWO DAYS LATER LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. DEALER DETECTED THERMOSTAT, HAD TO ORDER PART AND REPLACED. TWO WEEKS LATER TEMPERATURE 20 DEGREES, CAR TOOK OVER 30 MINUTES TO HEAT UP AND ICE FORMED ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. WILL TAKE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER.

NHTSA ODI #715795

Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility

ENGINE SENSOR FAILED CAUSING THE ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. NLM.

NHTSA ODI #549310

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingSeats

ENGINE EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE NOISE, DUE TO DESIGN FLAW, NO INSTALLATION OF SUPPRESION BLANCKET, ONCE OWNER INSTALLED ONE MADE FOR OTHER VEHICLE, PROBLEM WAS RECTIFIED. *YC

NHTSA ODI #607523

Official recalls

4

01V230000 · 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.

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.

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.

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

4

RQ02006 · 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