1997 Mercury MYSTIQUE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
48 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
77,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 48 complaints (8.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 9 | 18.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 16.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 10.4% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 6.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch: 3; Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 36 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 10 |
| 2001 | 13 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
2000: 10; 2001: 13; 2002: 6; 2003: 5; 2004: 3; 2005: 4; 2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2012: 2
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10003614 · 2003-01-13 (January 13, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION ON THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003614 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009038 · 2003-02-21 (February 21, 2003)
THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED, HOWEVER THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009038 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020961 · 2003-06-03 (June 3, 2003)
CAR ENGINE WHILE DRIVING JUST STOPS. DEALER CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM AFTER NUMEROUS TRIES. CAR WILL IMMEDIATELY RE-START BUT THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF NOT CORRECTED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020961 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029945 · 2003-07-23 (July 23, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING HEATER BLOWER SWITCH OVERHEATED, ALMOST RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10029945 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10034407 · 2003-09-15 (September 15, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THE TAIL LIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS DID NOT WORK. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL # 99V103000 CONCERNING HEADLIGHT SWITCH/WIRING HARNESS DEFECT. BUT BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. SHE WANTED TO KNOW WHY, SHE DID NOT THINK THIS WAS FAIR.*AK CONSUMER SPOKE WITH THREE OTHER MECHANICS WHOM STATED THE MILEAGE SHOULDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL. *PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10034407 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10069177 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILED WHILE IN MOTION. T WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR.
Owner-reported narrative. 83,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10069177 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10071363 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
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 OR THE CAR WILL START TO LOSE POWER. SO I HAVE A VEHICLE THAT UP UNTIL NOW RAN WELL AND HAD GOOD GAS MILAGE. NOW IT IS WORTH $2500.00 DOLLARS ON A TRADE IN BUT THE REPAIRS ARE $ 2600.00 SO THE CAR IS ACTUALLY A TOTAL RIGHT OFF. EVERYTHING ELSE W…
Owner-reported narrative. 165,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10071363 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10071755 · 2004-04-28 (April 28, 2004)
GEAR SHIFTER INDICATOR MALFUNCTIONS, AND DOESN'T INDICATE THE GEAR THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN. THERE IS A SHIFT LEVER DAMAGE RECALL 98V233000, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10071755 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
00V075000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
Reported: 2000-03-09 (March 9, 2000)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗01V230000 · Electrical System
Reported: 2001-07-09 (July 9, 2001)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗98V233000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Floor Shift
Reported: 1998-09-18 (September 18, 1998)
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.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INCORRECT GEAR SELECTION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V103000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch
Reported: 1999-05-05 (May 5, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TERMINALS AT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN EXPERIENCE HEAT DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF OVERHEATING.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗