1996 Mercury Mystique
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 185
- Recalls
- 10
- Investigations
- 5
- Top problem
- Electrical system
Campaigns on file for 1996
Opened by NHTSA
31% of complaints
Complaints per year
1996: 185 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 2 |
| 1995 | 335 |
| 1996 | 185 |
| 1997 | 71 |
| 1998 | 231 |
| 1999 | 128 |
| 2000 | 63 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 2 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Electrical system
31% · 57 reportsMost commonly citing front underhood and 12v/24v/48v battery.
Show complaint excerpts
Ford contour 1995 engine fire that destroyed everything in the engine mecury 1996 mystic wireing shortage that could have started a fire in the engine compartment.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-02-14
Engine and engine cooling
24% · 44 reportsMost commonly citing gasoline and cooling system.
Show complaint excerpts
A malfunctioned water pump resulted in a vehicle fire.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-02-03
Engine cooling system water pump failure causing a vehicle fire.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-02-03
Power train
16% · 30 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.
Visibility
11% · 20 reportsMost commonly citing power window devices and controls and windshield.
Show complaint excerpts
The vehicle hit a pothole in which the driver's and passenger's side airbags deployed, and the windshield also cracked. *ak consumer states vehicle was only traveling 5 MPH, dash also has a split.
NHTSA ODI report, 1997-09-10
Also filed under Air bags
Service brakes
11% · 20 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Safety timeline
10 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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1996Complaint volume 185 complaints filed for this model year.
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1998-01-13Vehicle speed control97V225000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with the traction control option. The throttle cables were damaged during vehicle assembly leading to fraying or separation of the throttle cable.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the throttle cable with a revised design that is less susceptible to bending or kinking during installation.
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1998-11-20Power train98V233000 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…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the automatic transmission floor shift control.
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1998-12-03Preliminary evaluationClosed 1999-05-10 Headlight switch
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1999-07-16Exterior lighting99V103000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The terminals at the headlight switch and wiring harness connector can experience heat damage as a result of overheating.
Remedy: Dealers will install a headlamp switch wiring connector containing bronze terminals and an inspection, and replacement if necessary, of the headlamp switch.
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1999-09-15Recall queryClosed 2001-03-07 Various intermittent electrical issues
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1999-10-11Fuel system, gasoline99V247000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The fuel filler pipe vent hose may have less than the intended level of ozone resistance, which could result in the hose becoming brittle and cracking.
Remedy: Dealers will install a fuel filler vent hose contacting the appropriate blend of pvc and nitrile rubber.
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2000-06-14Preliminary evaluationClosed 2001-01-05 Blower switch/resistor or wiring harness
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2000-10-11Service brakes, hydraulic00V075000 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…
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.
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2001-01-05Engineering analysisClosed 2001-07-31 Blower switch/resistor or wiring harness
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2001-02-05Engine and engine cooling00V367000 Vehicle description: 1995 passenger vehicles equipped with the 2.0L and 2.5L engines, and 1996 vehicles equipped with 2.5L engines. Tightening of the engine cooling fan motor bearings, up to and…
Remedy: Dealers will install a positive temperature coefficient device in-line with each fan motor. Ford will also extend the warranty on the engine cooling fan assembly to a total of 8 years of service or…
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2001-08-29Visibility01I009000 This is not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act. However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. Vehicle description: 1995-1997 Ford contour and Mercury Mystique…
Remedy: Ford will provide additional warranty coverage for the heater blower switch for 10 years from original date of sale of the vehicle or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first. Dealers will install a…
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2001-08-29Electrical system01V230000 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…
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…
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2002-02-26Recall queryClosed 2002-09-12 Incorrect gear indication
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2006-03-20Service brakes, hydraulic06E022000 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…
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…
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2008-05-22Suspension08E033000 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…
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.
Buy-smart checklist
1996 Mercury Mystique — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Electrical system: 57 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 44 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 30 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 97V225000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 98V233000 · Power train
- Recall 99V103000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 99V247000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 00V075000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 00V367000 · Engine and engine cooling
- Recall 01I009000 · Visibility
- Recall 01V230000 · Electrical system
- Recall 06E022000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 08E033000 · Suspension
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1996 Mercury Mystique reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Mercury Mystique is rated "worse than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 1996 Mercury Mystique?
- The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 31% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1996 Mercury Mystique have?
- 10 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.