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1997 Mercury MystiqueProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 71 owner complaints about the 1997 Mercury Mystique, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

70
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years57% below the Mystique median · #5 of 6 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints719 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage123kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 20, 2012. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Mercury Mystique has problems

71 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
Engine and engine cooling131
Service brakes, hydraulic111
Exterior lighting90
Power train90
Visibility81
Electrical system72
Suspension50
Vehicle speed control42
Seats40
9 other systems171

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

4 recalls

1997 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

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

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

1997 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

1997 Mercury Mystique safety ratings

1997 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
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1997 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. INCORRECT GEAR INDICATIONRQ02006 · closed Sep 12, 2002
    Led to recall 98V-233
  4. VARIOUS INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL ISSUESRQ99019 · closed Mar 7, 2001
    Led to recall 99V-243
In owners' words

What Mystique owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

DT: THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE BLOWER RESISTOR WAS FIXED WHICH WERE ON RECALL. ON 4-22-05 AND ON 5-06-05 WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR GAVE A TICKING NOISE. THEN THE CAR GAVE A PUFF OF BLUE AND BLACK SMOKE AND THE CAR STOPPED. AFTER THE MECHANIC LOOKED AT THE CAR, THE…
Complaint 10120999 · May 16, 2005 · 80,000 miles
APPARENTLY FORD/MERC IN THEIR ULTIMATE WISDOM PLACED THE CATALYTIV CONVERTER IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THEY ALL SEEM TO PLUG UP AROUND 140,000 TO 170,000 KM. THE LABOUR ALONE IS OVER $600.00 PLUS THE PARTS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE AND BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR NEED TO BE REPLACED…
Complaint 10071363 · Jan 15, 2004 · 165,000 miles
WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE BECAME HOT AND THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. *AK THE SPEED SENSOR AND EGR VALVE WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE CONTINUED CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS. *JB
Complaint 8001452 · Oct 1, 2002

Own a 1997 Mystique?

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