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: 52 of 231 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.
Suspension. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
9 crash reports7 fire reports6 injury reports
What owners actually said
231 reports
43,000 miles · Feb 19, 2008
Electrical System
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 I…
Read full complaint
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 ODI #10218534
87,000 miles · Oct 29, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingSteeringSuspension
I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS FRONT END PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE FRONT TIE RODS TWICE IN A YEAR AND A HALF. HAVING PROBLEMS WITH STRUTS .CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS NEED TO CHANGED. ALSO STABILIZERS LINKAGE HAD TO BE CHANGED. HAVE ALSO PUT NEW BALL JOINTS IN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10207384
97,000 miles · Jul 13, 2007
Unknown Or Other
THE GEAR POSITION INDICATOR DETERIORATED AND DOES NOT CORRECTLY INDICATE THE ACTUAL GEAR POSITION.
NHTSA ODI #10196247
55,420 miles · Jun 2, 2007
Tires
TIRE FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10192315
Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
RIGHT REAR BRAKE HOSE RUBBED AGAINST STRUT CAUSING THE HOSE TO BREAK AND LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID ON A 1998 MERCURY MYSTIQUE GS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10188604
102,000 miles · Apr 3, 2007
Visibility
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. THE VEHICLE'S HEATER BLOWER FAILED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE CONCERNING THE BLOWER ,AND THE CONNECTOR ON THE HEATER BLOWER CABLE WAS REPLACED. TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THIS VEHICLEWAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL # 01V23000…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. THE VEHICLE'S HEATER BLOWER FAILED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE CONCERNING THE BLOWER ,AND THE CONNECTOR ON THE HEATER BLOWER CABLE WAS REPLACED. TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THIS VEHICLEWAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL # 01V230000. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 102,000.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10186816
53,000 miles · Feb 8, 2007
Suspension
FORD MOTOR CO. IS REFUSING TO REIMBURSE FOR REPAIRS RELATED TO SAFETY RECALL #01S23, 98 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10181959
145,000 miles · Nov 29, 2006
Exterior Lighting
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH FOR THE VEHICLE WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA RECALL #99V103000 REGARDING EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TO A SERVICE DEALER TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #10174724
158,689 miles · Oct 18, 2006
Power Train
FAILED TO GO INTO GEAR FROM PARK, CHANGING GEARS DIFFICULT, DID NOT MOVE IN DRIVE, WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE, ENGINE DIED WHILE DRIVING 35 M.P.H MADE LOUD NOISE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10171231
61,000 miles · Jun 5, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE RPM'S REVVED, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE OVERDRIVE SERVO PISTON SEAL AND O RING WAS REPLACED. FIVE WEEKS LATER, WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH, THE SAME INCIDE…
Read full complaint
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE RPM'S REVVED, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE OVERDRIVE SERVO PISTON SEAL AND O RING WAS REPLACED. FIVE WEEKS LATER, WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH, THE SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND IT HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY A MECHANIC. *AK
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY ASSEMBLY PLANT AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SOME TIRES HAVE DEFLATED DUE TO CONTACT WITH A BROKEN SPRING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SPRING CATCHER BRACKETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 23, 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 1-866-436-7332.
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 AIR BAG SENSOR WIRING PIGTAIL INSULATION CAN BECOME BRITTLE AND CRACK OVER TIME DUE TO ACCUMULATION OF WATER IN THE PIGTAIL PROTECTIVE CONVOLUTE IN COMBINATION WITH HIGH UNDERHOOD TEMPERATURES RELATED TO THE ROUTING OF THE WIRING PIGTAIL NEAR THE RADIATOR. THIS CAN RESULT IN ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS CRACKING OF THE INSULATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN SOME CASES, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAN ILLUMINATE AND THE AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM DISABLED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AIR BAG SENSORS WITH REVISED WIRING INSULATION. IN ADDITION, VEHICLES WHICH HAVE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WILL HAVE A NEW AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR INSTALLED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH A BURR ON OR NEAR THE END OF THE CABLE SLEEVE INTERIOR. THIS BURR COULD FRAY THE CORE WIRE RESULTING IN THE ACCELERATOR NOT RETURNING TO IDLE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE THROTTLE STICKING, BINDING, OR CAUSING HIGH ENGINE RPM.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED ACCELERATOR CABLE THAT HAS A FLARED CONDUIT SLEEVE END AND MOLDED ON END FITTING.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TEXT AND/OR GRAPHICS FOR THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONFUSED BY THE AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS TO BE IMPROPERLY AIMED.
Remedy: OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.
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
7
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
EA00025 · Fuel Expulsion During Refueling
Opened Oct 4, 2000 · Closed Jan 25, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
PE00027 · Fuel Expulsion During Refueling
Opened Jul 10, 2000 · Closed Oct 4, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
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
SQ98002 · Fuel Gauge Does Not Read Below 1/4
Opened Jan 27, 1998 · Closed Jul 31, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
FORD'S SERVICE BULLETIN DATED DECEMBER 8, 1997, POINTS OUT THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WILL NOT READ ABOVE 3/4 TANK OR BELOW 1/4 TANK OF FUEL.THE ERRONEOUS FUEL GAUGE READING WILL INDICATE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE FUEL RESERVE THAN ACTUALLY PRESENT IN THE FUEL TANK.ODI HAS ONE COMPLAINT WHERE THE DRIVER ALLEGED THAT HIS VEHICLE RAN OUT OF GAS DUE TO A FALSE FUEL GAUGE READING.THIS INVESTIGATION WASTO ASCERTAIN FACTS CONCERNING THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE, SCOPE, AND RATIONAL FOR ELECTING NOT TO CONDUCT A SAFETY COMPAIGN.
1998 Mercury Mystique Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration