1996 Mercury Mystique

Defect. FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.

Risk. THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.

Defect. CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.

Risk. LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Defect. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1995-1997 FORD CONTOUR AND MERCURY MYSTIQUE VEHICLES. THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR COULD OVERHEAT CAUSING THE ATTACHED ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TO MELT.

Risk. THIS COULD CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.

Remedy. FORD WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE HEATER BLOWER SWITCH FOR 10 YEARS FROM ORIGINAL DATE OF SALE OF THE VEHICLE OR 150,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR AND A NEW WIRE JUMPER HARNESS FREE OF CHARGE.

Defect. 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.

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.

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.

Defect. 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.

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.

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.

Defect. 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.

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

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

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

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.

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

Defect. 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.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INCORRECT GEAR SELECTION.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL.

Defect. 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.

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT THE ENGINE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE.

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

1996 MERCURY MYS AIR BAGS FAILURE IN CAR ACCIDENT. *TR

THE UNDER HOOD WIRE HARNESS BURNED UP. THIS CAR HAS 89,000 MILES AND RUNS GOOD. I HEARD THERE WAS A RECALL / TSB #( ONP 99M03) ON THIS CAR BUT FORD WILL NOT HONOR IT BECAUSE THE CAR IS OVER 10 YEARS OLD. I THINK FORD SHOULD REIMBURSE FOR REPAIRS OR BUY BACK THE CAR. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AS THE CAR WILL STALL ABRUPTLY AND LOSE POWER STEERING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. THE PARKING LIGHTS ON THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE ALONG WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V103000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 138,552.

THE FORWARD GEARS ON MY TRANSMISSION HAVE CEASED TO WORK. NOW I'M BEING TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I FIND IT KIND OF WEIRD THAT A 96 NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION ALREADY. *TR

FAULTY WIRING INSULATION MAKES THE CAR INOPERABLE AND DANGEROUS TO OPERATE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD MERCURY MYSTIQUE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE SPEED ODOMETER WENT FROM ZERO TO 120, THE RMP WENT UP TO 40,000, THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS FAILED AND THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER DRIVABLE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (NHTSA CAMPAIGN #01V230000) HOWEVER; THE MANUFACTURE STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,500 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE 61,900.

FOR ALONG TIME THERE HAS BEEN BEARING CHANGES. I GAVE MY CAR TO A TENANT AND SHE WANTED IT TO GET INSPECTED, BUT SHE NEEDED BOTH FRONT SPRING COILS TO BE REPLACED. AND FOR A LONG TIME THE AIR CONDITIONING (A/C) BEARINGS HAVE BEEN BAD. IT IS GOING TO COST HER MUCH MONEY. CAN A CLAIM BE MADE BECAUSE OF A RECALL?*AK

CAR HAS HAD INCREASING NUMBER OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS...CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. MECHANICS COULDN'T FIND WHAT WAS TRIGGERING IT AFTER REPLACING THE OXYGEN SENSORS REPEATEDLY. OTHER TWITCHES (STALLING, BURNED UP TURN SIGNAL MODULE,) FINALLY CULMINATING IN COMPLETE BRAKE LIGHT AND REVERSE LIGHT FAILURE. TOOK THE CAR BACK TO MY MECHANICS, WHO REPLACED THE SIGNAL MODULE, AND SHOWED ME THE BURN MARKS ON IT. THEY STATED THAT THEY TRIED TO GET THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO WORK, AND FOUND THAT THE PRIMARY WIRING HARNESS WAS JUST DISINTEGRATING (INSULATION FAILURES ALL OVER.) THEY CALLED FORD/MERCURY BEFORE THEY TOLD ME OF THIS PROBLEM, AND WERE TOLD THAT FORD/MERC WOULD REPLACE THE HARNESS AS LONG AS THE CAR HADN'T GONE OVER 100K MILES, AND WAS NOT MORE THAN TEN YEARS OLD (IT WASN'T.) DROPPED THE CAR AT A LOCAL FORD DEALER, WHO CALLED ME BACK TO SAY THAT THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN GLAD TO REPLACE THE HARNESS, HAD I FOUND THE PROBLEM PRIOR TO JAN 2006. THEY PROMPTLY INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO REPLACE THE HARNESS FOR ABOUT $2,000.00 I INFORMED THEM THAT I'D BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO PERFORM BRAIN SURGERY ON THEM WITH A WEEDEATER AT NO CHARGE. I'LL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT IN MY LIFE, AND I UNFORTUNATELY CURRENTLY OWN FIVE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS FUEL LEAKAGE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BEING FUELED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 99V247000, REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM GASOLINE STORAGE TANK ASSEMBLY FILLER PIPE AND CAP. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. ALTHOUGH THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED, NO INSPECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE.

I FIRST STARTED SMELLING FUEL AFTER FUELING UP MY CAR. THEN LATER I NOTICED THAT FUEL LEAKS OUT FROM UNDER MY CAR WHEN I PUT FUEL INTO IT. I RECENTLY NOTICED IT RUNNING OUT FROM UNDER THE CAR WHEN I JUST HAPPEN TO FILL UP AT A GAS STATION THAT WAS ON AN INCLINE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THE FORD RECALL #99S24 DOES NOT APPLY TO MY CAR. BUT.... IT IS WHAT PROBLEM IS. HELP PLEASE. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 99V103000 CONCERNING THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING.: HEADLIGHTS. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE DUE TO THE EXPENSE. *AK UPDATED 01/19/06. *JB

I PURCHASED MY MERCURY MYSTIQUE NEW IN NOVEMBER OF 1996. I HAVE ALWAYS DRIVEN THE CAR VERY EASY, I DON'T EVEN GET ON THE EXPRESSWAY VERY OFTEN. AT AROUND 45,000 MILES, I HAD THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED, WHICH THE OWNERS MANUAL DOESN'T EVEN MENTION. NOW, WITH ONLY 55K MILES, THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AND NEEDS A TOTAL REBUILD! ALTHOUGH THE CAR IS NEARLY 9 YEARS OLD, AT 55,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION FAILING IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THERE HAS TO BE SOME KIND OF FLAW IN THE DESIGN FOR IT TO DO THIS. *B

DT: THE DOOR LATCH ON DRIVER'S SIDE WOULD NOT SHUT, HAD TO GO TO JUNK YARD TO GET A PART AND PUT IT IN. THIS HAPPENED ON AUGUST 20, 2005. CONSUMER BRUISED HAND TRYING TO GET THE DOWN SHUT. THERE WAS CLICKING NOISE IN THE PANEL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT CONTROLS THE POWER WINDOWS. ALSO, THE KEY GOT HOT IN THE IGNITION.*AK

1996 MERCURY MYSTIQUE(68,000). FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAD WHAT THEY REFERRED TO AS A "PROGRAM", EVIDENTLY FOR A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT SPRINGS.THE PROGRAM WAS BASICALLY A FREE INSPECTION. MY CAR WAS INSPECTED IN 2002 WHILE IT WAS IN FOR ANOTHER RECALL, AT WHICH TIME IT WAS GIVEN A PASSING GRADE.THE PROGRAM EXPIRED @ 150,000 OR DEC. OF 2004 WHICHEVER CAME FIRST.IN FEBRUARY 2005 A 6" CHUNCK OF THE PASS. SIDE SPRING SNAPPED OFF, LUCKILY ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET. I HEARD THE NOISE AND WAS ABLE TO RETRIEVE THE PIECE FROM THE STREET.ON CLOSE INSPECTION THE PIECE DID NOT BREAK DUE TO CORROSION.I BELIEVE IT WAS DUE TO POOR MATERIAL QUALITY, MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS COULD CAUSE TIRE FAILURE AT HIGHER RATES OF SPEED RESULTING IN POSSIBLE FATALIIES. FORD WOULD NOT REPLACE THE SPRING.*AK

THE VEHICLE RAN ROUGH WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THIS CONDITION CAUSED A PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

WHILE DRIVING DURING NIGHT HOURS REAR TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK. DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT REPAIR THEM BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK

HEADLIGHT LENSES DEVELOPED A CLOUDY WHITE DISCOLORATION THAT REDUCED THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATION. *AK THE HEADLIGHT LENSES WERE REPLACED AT 36,000. NOW THAT THE VEHICLE HAS 64000 MILES THE PROBLEM HAS RECURRED. *NM

CONSUMER STATES THAT HER VEHICLE DIES ON THE FREEWAY. SHE STATES THAT VEHICLE CONSTANTLY BLOWS FUSES. SHE SAID THAT SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT, HER ELECTRICAL WIRES ARE MELTING TOGETHER. ALSO WAS TOLD THAT SINCE THIS IS HAPPENING, WHEN IT TOUCHES IT BLOWS FUSES. SHE STATES THAT SOMETIMES HER VEHICLE WILL NOT START. SHE ALSO STATES THAT THE MECHANIC STATES THEY WILL NOT TOUCH THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE IF HAS MAJOR PROBLEMS, AND IS OVER THE MILEAGE LIMIT TO BE COVERED BY ANY WARRANTY. SHE SAID SHE WAS ALSO TOLD, THAT THIS VEHICLE COULD CAUGHT FIRE AT ANY TIME, AND THAT SHE SHOULD NOT DRIVE IT BECAUSE IT IS DANGEROUS. PLEASE HELP. *NM

CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW CONTROL PANEL CORRODING AND THE WINDOW NOT OPERATING. I HAVE REPLACED JUST ABOUT EVERY PART POSSIBLE AND THE WINDOW STILL DOESN'T WORK.

HEAD GASKET FAILURE. COOLANT SYSTEM FAILURE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITHOUT WARNING, FLASHED AND CONSTANT. I GUESS WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT FORD IS RIGHT FOUND ON ROAD DEAD FIX OR REPAIR DAILY OUCH