1999 Mercury Mystique

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 128 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the structure. It has been recalled 4 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
60,000 milesMedian miles at failure

47 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Structure21
000
Unknown or Other17
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip7
101
Air Bags › Frontal5
405
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System4
000
Vehicle Speed Control4
403
Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash4
000
Structure › Body3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling3
000
Electrical System3
010

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Suspension08E033000
Filed Apr 14, 20086,903 vehiclesFederal-Mogul Chassis Products

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic06E022000
Filed Mar 13, 20067,440 vehiclesBrake Parts, Inc.

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components00V075000
Filed Mar 9, 2000436,200 vehiclesFord Motor Company

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.

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch99V060000
Filed Mar 17, 19994,569 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WHICH UTILIZE A PARK/LOCK SOLENOID. IT IS POSSIBLE TO ROTATE THE IGNITION KEY TO THE LOCK POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT THE SHIFT LEVER AND TRANSMISSION BEING IN PARK. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION."

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES. VEHICLES THAT HAVE UNITS WITH IGNITION KEYS REMOVABLE IN GEAR POSITIONS OTHER THAN PARK, WILL HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Structure
Filed Oct 8, 2012125,000 milesAZ

I WAS DRIVING ALONG WHEN I COULD SMELL MY CAR GETTING HOT, SO I PULLED OVER AND SURE ENOUGH IT WAS OVERHEATING, BUT DID NOT SHOW INSIDE ON THE DASHBOARD, SO I HAD IT CHECKED AND THE PLASTIC HOUSING AROUND THE THERMOSTAT WAS CRACKED IN 3 PLACES, SO I SAY FIX IT ,THEY SAID IT WOULD BE 450.00, OK NO PROBLEM, THEN THEY CALLED BACK AND SAID THAT THE HOUSING WAS WELDED TO THE MANIFOLD AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE ALL FOR 1200.00 AND THAT THE HOUSING WASN'T MADE OF PLASTIC ANYMORE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AND FIXED FOR FREE. *TR

Equipment
Filed Mar 17, 2011TX

S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM REQUESTING THE RECALL AND REPLACEMENT OF FACULTY FLOOR MATS DUE TO SAFETY REASONS ON HIS 1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE CLIPS THAT HELD THE FLOOR MATS IN PLACE BROKE DUE TO NORMAL WEAR.

Structure
Filed Oct 29, 200980,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANELS SURFACE BEGAN DEVELOPED CRACKS AND WARPS. A PLASTIC PIECE FROM THE PANEL, THAT WAS 5 INCHES IN HEIGHT BLOCKS THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT COMMENTED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE FORD CONTOUR DASHBOARD DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jan 17, 200970,000 milesPA

1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE, SECOND OWNER, PURCHASED IS 2005. THE GAS LINE FREEZES WHEN THE TEMPERATURE REACHES BELOW 20 DEGREES. THE TANK IS HALF FULL, TREATED FOR WINTER WEATHER AND IT STILL FREEZES. THIS IS NOT NORMAL: I'VE OWNED 2 OTHER VEHICLES (FORD TEMPO/DODGE STRATUS) NEVER HAPPENED. I'VE MISSED WORK DUE TO THIS GAS LINE FREEZE AND AM THE ONLY RESIDENT IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD THAT IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. IT HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURE DEFECT OR THE GAS TANK IS NOT PROTECTED. THIS IS THE SECOND WINTER SEASON THIS HAS HAPPENED. *TR

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jan 2, 2009TX

MY HUSBAND AND I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC FROM AN APPOINTMENT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTS SMOKING WITHIN A QUICK SECOND THE FRONT LEFT SIDE BURST INTO FLAMES, ELECTRICAL WINDOWS WOULDN'T WORK AND THE BRAKES FAILED, THE WE HAD TO RIDE TRAFFIC UNTIL WE COULD MOVE OVER TO THE CURVE AT THIS TIME THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD TO BE USED IN ORDER TO STOP THE CAR AND I HAD TO MOVE MYSELF OUT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jul 16, 2008206,000 milesIN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE DRIVEWAY AT 2 MPH, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. SHE HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. SHE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH. SHE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINE AND CHASSIS WERE EXCESSIVELY RUSTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 206,000. UPDATED 09/10/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/12/08. *JB

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 20, 2008WA

1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE DASHBOARD IS CURLING UP. CONSUMER STATES THAT FORD'S RECALL TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM HAS EXPIRED AND THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *NJ

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Jun 9, 200848,246 milesNJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. THE CONTACT NOTICED MOISTURE IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT DRIPPED WATER INTO THE TRUNK WHEN IT WAS OPENED. SHE NOTICED THAT THE MOISTURE WAS ALWAYS PRESENT, ESPECIALLY AFTER IT RAINED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 51,504 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,246. UPDATED 07/07/08. *LJ THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS INOPERABLE, THE TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED. UPDATED

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 28, 200885,000 milesNC

DASH STARTED PEELING FROM RIGHT CORNER AND NOW HAS PEELED AWAY FROM FRONT OF DASH AREA ALL THE WAY ACROSS. *CN

Structure
Filed Jul 27, 200750,000 milesNY

MY 1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUES DASH BOARD HAS COMPLETELY WARPED. IT HAS RENDERED THE DEFROSTER USELESS. I WAS NOT INFORMED OF ANY RECALL FOR THE DEFECT. I NOW UNDERSTAND THAT THE LINCOLN/MERCURY COMPANY DID ACKNOWLEDGE A DEFECT IN THE DASHBOARDS. WHAT REMEDY CAN I EXPECT ? *TR

Suspension
Filed Jul 27, 200750,000 milesAZ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND FELT A VIBRATION WHILE IDLING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK TO THE RIGHT WHEN STOPPING AND JERKED TO THE LEFT WHEN HE ACCELERATED. AS OF JULY 27, 2007, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 02-01-08. *KB THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED IN THE VEHICLE. UPDATED

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Apr 24, 2007MI

I HAD A STRAP THAT HAD RUSTED UNDERNEATH MY CAR. A 1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE 2.0, SO I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC. HE INDICATED THAT MY GAS TANK STRAP RUSTED THROUGH AND THAT THE OTHER ONE WAS ABOUT TO FAIL AS WELL. HE TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A DEFINITE HAZARD AND COULD HAVE PROVED TO BE DANGEROUS IF I DID NOT TAKE CARE OF IT. HE ALSO SAID THAT THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Mar 30, 2007TX

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 1999 FORD MYSTIQUE'S DASHBOARD WAS FALLING FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS AFRAID THAT THE AIR BAGS MAY DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, OR THE DASHBOARD WILL FALL INTO HER LAP WHILE DRIVING. SHE HAS CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRING THE DASHBOARD UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CONTACT FEARED DRIVING THE VEHICLE, AND SHE THOUGHT THAT FORD WOULD HONOR THE WARRANTY. SHE DID SPEAK WITH SOMEONE AT A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP, AND THEY QUOTED HER A PRICE OF $2000, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAD 29,000 MILES. *AK

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Mar 12, 2007FL

I OWN A 1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. THE DASHBOARD HAS COME LOOSE AND WARPED SIGNIFICANTLY NEAR THE WINDSHIELD. THE PLASTIC PIECE THAT SURROUNDS THE DEFROST VENT HAS BROKEN. THE DEFROSTER NO LONGER WORKS SUFFICIENTLY DUE TO THE WARPED DASHBOARD BEING IN THE WAY. THE LOCAL DEALER TOLD ME THEY COULD FIX IT AT WHAT TO ME IS A SIGNIFICANT COST. I CANNOT AFFORD THIS AND IT IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE. *JB

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Feb 3, 2007MN

SEE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : DP06004. COMPLAINANT VEHICLE (MERCURY MYSTIQUE 1999) EXHIBITS THE IDENTICAL CONDITIONS. COMPLAINANT ATTEMPTED TO RECEIVE REPAIRS FROM AN AUTHORIZED MERCURY DEALER IN 2002, WAS (A) NOT TOLD OF ANY EXISTING FORD CAMPAIGN INVOLVING THE SUBJECT MATTER; AND (B) WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE FOR LESS THAN MULTIPLE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. SINCE THAT TIME, THE WARPAGE HAS WORSENED TO THE POINT WHERE THE GRILL FOR THE DEFROSTER WILL NO LONGER STAY IN PLACE, AND DEFROSTER PERFORMANCE TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS SEVERELY UNDERMINED DUE TO UNCONTROLLED AIRFLOW THROUGH THE OPENING TO THE DEFROSTER BLOWER. *NM

Structure
Filed Dec 20, 2006128,400 milesMD

I BELIEVE IT'S A SHAME THAT MANUFACTURERS CAN SELL CARS WITH GLUED DASHBOARDS THAT REQUIRE THE REMOVAL OF THE WINDSHIELD TO REPAIR THE DASHBOARD. THIS IS A 1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE, THE DASHBOARD MATERIAL CAME LOOSE AND SQUEEZED THE DEFROST DIVERTER PLASTIC UP AND OFF THE DASHBOARD, THEREFORE MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO USE THE DEFROSTER. *NM

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 4, 200648,000 milesNY

AFTER THE CAR WAS ABOUT 5 YEARS OLD THE DASHBOARD WARPED. IT CAME UP ABOUT 3 INCHES AND COVERS ABOUT 10% OF THE WINDSHIELD. IT ALSO WILL NOT HOLD THE DEFROSTER DEFLECTOR TRIM SO IT HAD TO BE REMOVED. I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM FORD (MERCURY)ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND FEEL IT IS THEIR PROBLEM TO REPAIR AND NOT AN EXPENSE I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY. *JB

Structure
Filed Nov 29, 2006120,000 milesFL

1. DASH WARP CAUSES VISIBILITY PROBLEMS, DEFROSTER MALFUNCTION, LOOSE TRIM. I DROVE OVER A SEAM IN THE ROADWAY AT AN OVERPASS (SMALL BUMP) & THE VENT TRIM POPPED LOOSE. THIS IS SIMPLY AN AGING ISSUE AS THERE WAS NO UNUSUAL EVENT. MY CAR IS A 1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE, BUT THIS ISSUE IS ALSO PREVALENT ON THE FORD 1999 & 2000 CONTOUR, AND SOME 1998 MODELS WITH THE NEWER STYLE DASH. 2. THE TRIM POPPED LOOSE FROM THE DASH WHILE COMMUTING ON I-95 TO WORK. THE VENT TRIM CAME TO REST IN FRONT OF THE AIR BAG & ON MY ARMS AS I DROVE, BUT FORTUNATELY DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. 3. THE VENT TRIM WAS PLACED LOOSELY ONTO THE DASH SO THE DEFROSTER WOULD STILL BE USABLE, BUT THE WARPED DASH PREVENTS IT FROM BEING PROPERLY SECURED. A NEW VENT TRIM WILL NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM. THERE WAS AN OLD RECALL WHICH INCLUDED A 'REPAIR KIT', BUT IT HAS EXPIRED. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE RECALL RE-INSTATED. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Abs Warning LightCrash
Filed Nov 3, 2006IL

THE SENSOR RING FOR ABS (BRAKES) ON RIGHT AND LEFT AXELS ON THE FRONT OF MY 99 MERCURY MYSTIQUE ARE BOTH CRACKED CAUSING ABS TO NOT FUNCTION,ALSO I JUST RETURNED FROM GETTING RESISTERS REPLACED FOR MY BLOWER MOTOR WHICH I JUST FOUND OUT HAD A RECALL THAT WAS CLOSED PLEASE LET ME KNOW OF ANYTHING I CAN DO . I DID HAVE AN ACCIDENT I THOUGHT THE BRAKES DIDNT WORK PROPERLY BUT DONT KNOW IF IT IS RELATED

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Abs Warning LightCrash
Filed Nov 3, 2006IL

THE SENSOR RING FOR ABS (BRAKES) ON RIGHT AND LEFT AXELS ON THE FRONT OF MY 99 MERCURY MYSTIQUE ARE BOTH CRACKED CAUSING ABS TO NOT FUNCTION,ALSO I JUST RETURNED FROM GETTING RESISTERS REPLACED FOR MY BLOWER MOTOR WHICH I JUST FOUND OUT HAD A RECALL THAT WAS CLOSED PLEASE LET ME KNOW OF ANYTHING I CAN DO . I DID HAVE AN ACCIDENT I THOUGHT THE BRAKES DIDNT WORK PROPERLY BUT DONT KNOW IF IT IS RELATED

20 of 128 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1995
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20022000Routine
20012000Routine
200063500Routine
1999 — this page128411Fatalities reported
19982311170Above average
199771730Routine
199618510120Routine
199533512150Above average
19942000Routine

Compare every Mystique year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Apr 14, 2008. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.