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1998 Mercury MystiqueProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 231 owner complaints about the 1998 Mercury Mystique, most often about the suspension. It is covered by 8 safety recalls.

43
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.3× the Mystique median · #2 of 6 years by complaints
Safety recalls8Free fix at dealersOwner complaints23122 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage87kSuspension, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 6, 2016. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Mercury Mystique has problems

231 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
Suspension490
Power train382
Engine and engine cooling343
Electrical system286
Service brakes, hydraulic272
Air bags183
Exterior lighting180
Visibility162
Vehicle speed control141
10 other systems436

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

8 recalls

1998 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

Frontal: sensor/control module-inactive

Recall 99V-243 · Sep 8, 1999 · 280,481 vehicles

Risk. IN SOME CASES, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAN ILLUMINATE AND THE AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM DISABLED.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 4 more recalls
–no report yet

Vehicle speed control

Recall 99V-194 · Jul 20, 1999 · 159,565 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE THROTTLE STICKING, BINDING, OR CAUSING HIGH ENGINE RPM.

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 →

–no report yet

Exterior lighting: headlights

Recall 98V-028 · Feb 10, 1998 · 571,800 vehicles

Risk. IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONFUSED BY THE AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS TO BE…

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

1998 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

1998 Mercury Mystique safety ratings

1998 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
7 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1998 Mercury Mystique, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FUEL EXPULSION DURING REFUELINGEA00025 · closed Jan 25, 2001
    No recall
  2. BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESSEA01001 · closed Jul 31, 2001
    Led to recall 01I009000
  3. BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESSPE00023 · closed Jan 5, 2001
    No recall
  4. FUEL EXPULSION DURING REFUELINGPE00027 · closed Oct 4, 2000
    No recall
  5. INCORRECT GEAR INDICATIONRQ02006 · closed Sep 12, 2002
    Led to recall 98V-233
  6. VARIOUS INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL ISSUESRQ99019 · closed Mar 7, 2001
    Led to recall 99V-243
  7. FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT READ BELOW 1/4SQ98002 · closed Jul 31, 1998
    No recall
In owners' words

What Mystique owners report

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

1998 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. ELECTRICAL SUB-HARNESS CONNECTOR PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HIS MECHANIC, BECAUSE THE AC WASN'T COOLING PROPERLY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD OVER HEAT, WHILE IT WAS ON. THE VEHICLE HAS TWO FANS IN THE FRONT AND THEY FOUND THE COOLING FAN MELTED AND…
Complaint 10637913 · Sep 25, 2014
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. WHILE PULLING AWAY FROM A CURB AT 5 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE, CAUSING A BLOW OUT. THE VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V255000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS). THE CURRENT AND…
Complaint 10219069 · Feb 25, 2008 · 87,000 miles
I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS FRONT END PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE FRONT TIE RODS TWICE IN A YEAR AND A HALF. HAVING PROBLEMS WITH STRUTS.CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS NEED TO CHANGED. ALSO STABILIZERS LINKAGE HAD TO BE CHANGED. HAVE ALSO PUT NEW BALL JOINTS IN. *TR
Complaint 10207384 · Oct 29, 2007 · 87,000 miles

Own a 1998 Mystique?

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