Model year record

1996 MERCURY Mystique

7 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 303 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V230000

Electrical system

Component: Electrical system
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 342,962
Reported to NHTSA: 2001-07-09
Owners notified: 2001-08-29

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THE OPEN CIRCUIT COULD LEAD TO ELECTRICAL ARCING THAT COULD MELT THE CONNECTOR HOUSING MATERIAL CREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V367000

Engine and engine cooling

Component: Engine and engine cooling
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 262,559
Reported to NHTSA: 2000-11-06
Owners notified: 2001-02-05

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V075000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components

Component: Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 436,200
Reported to NHTSA: 2000-03-09
Owners notified: 2000-10-11

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V247000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap

Component: Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 22,324
Reported to NHTSA: 1999-09-13
Owners notified: 1999-10-11

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A CRACKED HOSE COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING FUELED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUEL FILLER VENT HOSE CONTACTING THE APPROPRIATE BLEND OF PVC AND NITRILE RUBBER.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V103000

Exterior lighting: headlights: switch

Component: Exterior lighting: headlights: switch
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 605,581
Reported to NHTSA: 1999-05-05
Owners notified: 1999-07-16

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TERMINALS AT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN EXPERIENCE HEAT DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF OVERHEATING.

Safety risk

THE DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN DISTORTION OF THE TERMINAL CAUSING AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION, PARKING LAMP, AND TAIL LAMP CIRCUITS.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLAMP SWITCH WIRING CONNECTOR CONTAINING BRONZE TERMINALS AND AN INSPECTION, AND REPLACEMENT IF NECESSARY, OF THE HEADLAMP SWITCH.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V233000

Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift

Component: Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 175,000
Reported to NHTSA: 1998-09-18
Owners notified: 1998-11-20

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INCORRECT GEAR SELECTION.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V225000

Vehicle speed control: cables

Component: Vehicle speed control: cables
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 38,000
Reported to NHTSA: 1997-12-08
Owners notified: 1998-01-13

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT THE ENGINE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE CABLE WITH A REVISED DESIGN THAT IS LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO BENDING OR KINKING DURING INSTALLATION.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Power train: automatic transmission	26	56,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline	25	—
Visibility: power window devices and controls	11	—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood	10	96,500 mi
Electrical system	9	89,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery	9	65,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	9	—
Unknown or other	9	—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers	8	107,520 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	7	—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system	7	—
Structure: body: trunk lid	7	—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash	6	—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap	6	67,000 mi
Suspension	6	—
Air bags: frontal	5	—
Electrical system: ignition	5	—
Electrical system: wiring	5	96,500 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	5	—
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch	5	53,000 mi
Interior lighting	5	107,520 mi
Suspension: front	5	—
Vehicle speed control	5	—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly	4	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc	4	—
Visibility: windshield	4	—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan	3	—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly	3	—
Engine and engine cooling: engine	3	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control	3	—
Exterior lighting: brake lights	3	—
Exterior lighting: headlights	3	30,000 mi
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs	3	67,975 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages	3	—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element	3	53,000 mi
Air bags	2	88,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator	2	—
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk	2	—
Engine and engine cooling	2	90,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys	2	—
Exterior lighting: tail lights	2	120,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal	2	—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch	2	—
Fuel system, gasoline	2	98,512 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft	2	—
Power train: manual transmission	2	—
Seats: front assembly: recliner	2	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components	2	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	2	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder	2	—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar	2	86,032 mi
Structure	2	—
Suspension: rear	2	—
Tires	2	—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	2	—
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel	1	138,552 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch	1	—
Electrical system: starter assembly: relay	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	1	99,000 mi
Equipment: electrical	1	—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.	1	107,520 mi
Exterior lighting	1	138,552 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system	1	—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	1	—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)	1	—
Power train: axle assembly	1	—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft	1	—
Seat belts	1	—
Seat belts: front: retractor	1	—
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	—
Steering	1	—
Steering: linkages	1	—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly	1	—
Steering: rack and pinion	1	—
Structure: frame and members	1	—
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields	1	—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor	1	—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core	1	—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices	1	107,520 mi

The 1995 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1997 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.