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1996 Mercury MystiqueProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 185 owner complaints about the 1996 Mercury Mystique, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 7 safety recalls.

47
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.1× the Mystique median · #3 of 6 years by complaints
Safety recalls7Free fix at dealersOwner complaints18525 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage97kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 13, 2009. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Mercury Mystique has problems

185 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system4712
Engine and engine cooling414
Power train301
Visibility193
Exterior lighting150
Suspension150
Service brakes, hydraulic142
Fuel system, gasoline140
Steering130
10 other systems438

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

7 recalls

1996 Mercury Mystique recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Electrical system

Recall 01V-230 · Jul 9, 2001 · 342,962 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 00V-367 · Nov 6, 2000 · 262,559 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components

Recall 00V-075 · Mar 9, 2000 · 436,200 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Tank assembly: filler pipe and cap

Recall 99V-247 · Sep 13, 1999 · 22,324 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 3 more recalls
–no report yet

Headlights: switch

Recall 99V-103 · May 5, 1999 · 605,581 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mercury.

Best & worst years

1996 vs. every other Mystique year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Mystique median. How we score

'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1996 Mercury Mystique safety ratings

1996 Mercury Mystique 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1996 Mercury Mystique, and the recalls they led to.

  1. BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESSEA01001 · closed Jul 31, 2001
    Led to recall 01I009000
  2. BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESSPE00023 · closed Jan 5, 2001
    No recall
  3. HEADLIGHT SWITCHPE98063 · closed May 10, 1999
    Led to recall 99V-103
  4. INCORRECT GEAR INDICATIONRQ02006 · closed Sep 12, 2002
    Led to recall 98V-233
  5. VARIOUS INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL ISSUESRQ99019 · closed Mar 7, 2001
    Led to recall 99V-243
In owners' words

What Mystique owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 10254653 · Jan 11, 2009 · 89,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10217287 · Feb 6, 2008 · 138,552 miles
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…
Complaint 10198423 · Aug 3, 2007 · 61,900 miles

Own a 1996 Mystique?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.