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

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004

Unknown Or Other

THEY HAD A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM BUT DEALER CLAIMS HE FIX THE PROBLEM BUT IT STILL CONTINUES TO HAPPEN VERY UNHAPPY

NHTSA ODI #10068905

80,000 miles · Jan 6, 2004

Air Bags

DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO RECOGNIZE PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE RECALL. VEHICLE NEEDED NEW AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR. DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO ACCOMMODATE CONSUMER. IF DEALERSHIP MADE THE ADJUSTMENT THEY WOULD CHARGE THE CONSUMER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10053470

60,000 miles · Jan 2, 2004

Engine And Engine Cooling

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. UPON SLOWING DOWN WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE JERKS FORWARD. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE EGR VALVE AND SENSOR 3 TIMES IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, BUT FAILED TO DO SO.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10052237

134,000 miles · Dec 9, 2003

Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THIS OCCURRED STEERING AND BRAKES LOCKED UP. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10050324

70,903 miles · Nov 4, 2003

Service Brakes, Air

WENT TO FORD DEALER REGARDING 1998 MERCURY MYSTIQUE- ABS LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF. THEY TESTED IT AT $90.00 AND THEN SAID THAT THE WHOLE HCU WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AT A COST OF $3,000. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS PART DOESN'T BRAKE DOWN OR NEED REPLACEMENT OFTER. NO RECALLS AVAILABLE I CAN'T AFFORD TO F…

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NHTSA ODI #10045376

2,000 miles · Sep 4, 2003

Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL. THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE TIMING BELT COMING OFF THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE BELT HAD BEEN REPLACED, BUT DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10038227

42,000 miles · Sep 2, 2003

Exterior Lighting

BOTH HEADLIGHT LENS ASSEMBLIES HAVE BECOME CLOUDY/HAZY, SO THE LIGHT EMITTED IS GREATLY REDUCED, CREATING AN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION. REPLACEMENT COST IS $400 PLUS LABOR. I FEEL FORD SHOULD COVER THIS, AS THE ASSEMBLIES ARE OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE, AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10037029

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2003

Electrical System

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I CAME TO THIS SITE LOOKING FOR RECALL INFORMATION TO SEE IF THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL RELATED TO MY PROBLEMS WITH THE 1998 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. SO FAR NOTHING TOO DANGEROUS HAS HAPPENED, BUT I AM FEELING VERY UNSAFE FOR OBVIOUS REASONS. ONE BY ONE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS IN MY CAR ARE SHORTING OUT. I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO POWER DOWN THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW FOR QUITE SOME TIME. THEN THE RADIO (ALWAYS FAULTY -- THEY WERE NEVER ABLE TO FIX IT EVEN BY REPLACING IT) SHORTED OUT COMPLETELY ON THE INCIDENT DATE BELOW. THEN THE INTERIOR OVERHEAD AND FLOORBOARD LIGHTS SHORTED OUT A FEW DAYS LATER. I'M CONCERNED THAT THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS AND POWER STEERING ARE NEXT. I CAN'T GET AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE ALL THIS LOOKED AT FOR ANOTHER COUPLE OF WEEKS. I WAS CHECKING THE SITE TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RELATED RECALLS OR COMPLAINTS. THOUGHT I'D ADD A COMPLAINT BECAUSE MAYBE IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10036835

130,000 miles · Aug 28, 2003

Suspension

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INFORMATION OF MY CAR: 1998 MERCURY MYSTIQUE V6 2.5L ENGINE ODOMETER: 141,120KM VIN: [XXX] THREE DAYS AGO, THE VEHICLE HAD SOME NOISE WHEN TURN LEFT. THE MECHANICS TOOK A LOOK AND FOUND ONE OF THE SUSPENSION BIG COIL SPRING BROKEN (THE ONE JUST OVER THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL). YESTERDAY, THE BROKEN SUSPENSION COIL SPRING WAS REPLACED. TO OUR SURPRISE, THE SPRING WAS BROKEN INTO 3 PIECES, AND THE BROKEN INTERFACE WAS COVERED BY A VERY HEAVY RUST. THE HEAVY RUST MEANS THE BIG COIL SPRING ACTUALLY WAS BROKEN LONG TIMES AGO. WE ARE LUCKY, BECAUSE THE SPRING WAS BROKEN AT THE TWO END, SO THE REMINDER OF THE SPRING CAN STILL WORK AND NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE MECHANICS TOLD US, THEY REPAIRED A FORD CONTOUR BEFORE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT THAT GUY'S COIL SPRING BROKEN IN THE MIDDLE AND HIS VEHICLE WAS BAD DAMAGED. I STILL KEEP THE BROKEN COIL SPRING (ALL THE 3 PIECES), I CAN SEND YOU A PHOTO PICTURE OR SHIP THE SPRING ITSELF TO YOU IF YOU WANT. THIS IS MY CONTACT: [XXX]. TEL: [XXX] EMAIL: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10036784

60,000 miles · Aug 22, 2003

Power Train

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I HAVE HAD SHIFTING PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS ON A 1998 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. FROM MY RESEARCH THIS TRANSMISSION MADE BY A JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN MAZDA AND FORD HAS HAD MAJOR PROBLMES. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER SEVEN TIMES TO GET IT FIXED. THEY THOUGHT IT WAS ALL ELECTRICAL BUT NOW TELL ME THEY NEED TO PULL THE TRANSMISSION AND CHECK THREE THINGS INSIDE IT. THE CAR HAS BEEN UNDRIVEABLE FOR THREE MONTHS THROUGH THIS PROCESS. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT $650.00 AND NOW THE REAL EXPENSED PROCESS STARTS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10033300

Official recalls

01V255000 · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs

Aug 8, 2001

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.

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.

99V243000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Sep 8, 1999

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.

99V194000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Jul 20, 1999

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.

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.

98V028000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Feb 10, 1998

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 ↗