1998 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 PER YEAR
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
13% of complaints: suspension — 30 distinct reports on file.
9% of complaints: power train — 20 distinct reports on file.
5% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 12 distinct reports on file.
5% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 11 distinct reports on file.
INJURY5% of complaints: suspension — 11 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20140925
SAFETY TIMELINE
FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT READ BELOW 1/4
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TEXT AND/OR GRAPHICS FOR THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIR
Remedy: OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.
Campaign 98V028000 — check if this car was fixed
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 DETERIORAT
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL.
Campaign 98V233000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 99V103000 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH A BURR ON OR NEAR THE END OF THE CABLE SLEEVE INTERIOR. THIS BURR COULD FRAY THE CORE WIRE RESULTING I
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED ACCELERATOR CABLE THAT HAS A FLARED CONDUIT SLEEVE END AND MOLDED ON END FITTING.
Campaign 99V194000 — check if this car was fixed
VARIOUS INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL ISSUES
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAG SENSOR WIRING PIGTAIL INSULATION CAN BECOME BRITTLE AND CRACK OVER TIME DUE TO ACCUMULATION OF WATER IN THE PIGTAIL PROTECTIVE CONVOLUTE IN COMBI
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AIR BAG SENSORS WITH REVISED WIRING INSULATION. IN ADDITION, VEHICLES WHICH HAVE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WILL HAVE A NEW AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR INSTALLED.
Campaign 99V243000 — check if this car was fixed
BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS
FUEL EXPULSION DURING REFUELING
FUEL EXPULSION DURING REFUELING
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
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.
Campaign 00V075000 — check if this car was fixed
BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS
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 RO
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 S
Campaign 01V230000 — check if this car was fixed
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: 1998 FORD CONTOUR/MERCURY MYSTIQUE PASSENGER V
Remedy: FORD IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY FOR FRONT COIL SPRING REPLACEMENT FOR THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS FOR 10 YEARS FROM ORIGINAL DATE OF SALE OF A VEHICLE OR 150,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.
Campaign 01I013000 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY ASSEMBLY PLANT AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE,
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SPRING CATCHER BRACKETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 23, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE
Campaign 01V255000 — check if this car was fixed
INCORRECT GEAR INDICATION
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 BRAN
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 1-800-32
Campaign 06E022000 — check if this car was fixed
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 WIT
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.
Campaign 08E033000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1998 Mercury Mystique — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (30 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (20 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (12 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 98V028000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V233000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 99V103000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 99V194000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 99V243000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00V075000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 01V230000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 01I013000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 01V255000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E022000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08E033000 (suspension) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1998 Mercury Mystique reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Mercury Mystique is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Mercury Mystique?
The most-reported component is suspension:front:springs:coil springs, accounting for 13% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Mercury Mystique have?
11 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.