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
What owners actually said
71 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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 MANUFACTURE…
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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 ODI #8016030
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 · Apr 2, 2002
Seat Belts
WHILE TRYING TO PUT ON SEAT BELTS BELTS WILL LOCK UP, AND CONSUMER HAS TROUBLE PUTTING SEAT BELT ON. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8006832
Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2002
Equipment
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I HAVE TRIED TO GET THE AIR CONDITIONER IN MY CAR FIXED 6 SEPARATE OCCASION EACH ABOUT 2 MONTHS APART AND I LIVE IN TEXAS SO AN AIR CONDITIONER IS A MUST. I HAVE SPENT 249.00 EACH TIME TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT I SHOULD DO, I WAS TOLD THIS WAS A VERY RELIABLE CAR BUT IT HAD A P…
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TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I HAVE TRIED TO GET THE AIR CONDITIONER IN MY CAR FIXED 6 SEPARATE OCCASION EACH ABOUT 2 MONTHS APART AND I LIVE IN TEXAS SO AN AIR CONDITIONER IS A MUST. I HAVE SPENT 249.00 EACH TIME TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT I SHOULD DO, I WAS TOLD THIS WAS A VERY RELIABLE CAR BUT IT HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER WHEN I BOUGHT IT. THE SALEMAN THAT SOLD ME THE CAR, JIM HONEYCUTT, SAID THAT ALL I NEEDED TO DO WAS TAKE IT TO A SHOP TO GET THE BLOWER FIXED AT THE LOCKHART FORD MOTOR CO. WHICH I HAVE DONE 6 TIMES. CAN ANYONE HELP ME WITHTHIS, SO I DON'T GET RIPPED OFF ANYMORE. NLM
NHTSA ODI #759875
Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2002
Exterior Lighting
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #757465
Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2001
Air BagsCrash
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. *AK
NHTSA ODI #754115
Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2001
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
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 *YD
NHTSA ODI #897536
Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2001
Visibility
THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO THE REGULATOR TEARING APART. *YH
NHTSA ODI #563163
Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2001
VisibilityFire
HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR OVERHEATED, RESULTING IN A FIRE, AND TOTALLING VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #895871
Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2001
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING AND COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. WHEN TAKING OFF STEERING WHEEL STOPS SHAKING. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
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.
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.
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.
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
1997 Mercury Mystique Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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