MYRModel Year Report

1998 Mercury Mystique

◆ Worse than typical
1998 Mercury Mystique
BUILT 2026-10-10

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
231
Recalls
11

Campaigns on file for 1998

Investigations
7

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Suspension

24% of complaints

Complaints per year

1994: 2 complaints 1994 1995: 335 complaints 1996: 185 complaints 1996 1997: 71 complaints 1998: 231 complaints 1998 231 1999: 128 complaints 2000: 63 complaints 2000 2001: 2 complaints 2002: 2 complaints 2002
1994: 2 complaints 1994 1995: 335 complaints 1995 1996: 185 complaints 1996 1997: 71 complaints 1997 1998: 231 complaints 1998 231 1999: 128 complaints 1999 2000: 63 complaints 2000 2001: 2 complaints 2001 2002: 2 complaints 2002
1994: 2 complaints 1994 1995: 335 complaints 1995 1996: 185 complaints 1996 1997: 71 complaints 1997 1998: 231 complaints 1998 231 1999: 128 complaints 1999 2000: 63 complaints 2000 2001: 2 complaints 2001 2002: 2 complaints 2002

1998: 231 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19942
1995335
1996185
199771
1998231
1999128
200063
20012
20022

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Suspension

24% · 55 reports

Most commonly citing coil springs and front.

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, 2014-09-25

Also filed under Engine and engine cooling and electrical system

Power train

18% · 42 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and axle assembly.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer experienced problems with shift level indicator. While having vehicle washed, vehicle started moving on its own. This vehicle's sudden movement, caused it to run into an iron structure in which the vehicle was damaged.

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-11-24

Engine and engine cooling

18% · 42 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Service brakes

13% · 30 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

FIREINJURY

Electrical system

13% · 30 reports

Most commonly citing fuses and circuit breakers and horn.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Dt: while driving down the road, I noticed smoke coming out of the dash. I pull over to the side of the road, opened the hood and the first thing I saw was fire coming from behind the glove compartment.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-05-12

Safety timeline

11 recalls · 7 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    1998Complaint volume 231 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    1998-01-27SQClosed 1998-07-31 Fuel gauge does not read below 1/4
  3. R
    1998-03-23Exterior lighting98V028000 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…

    Remedy: Owner guides containing revised aiming instructions will be mailed to owners of these vehicles.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    1999-08-17Vehicle speed control99V194000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a revised accelerator cable that has a flared conduit sleeve end and molded on end fitting.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    1999-09-15Recall queryClosed 2001-03-07 Various intermittent electrical issues
  8. R
    1999-09-27Air bags99V243000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. I
    2000-06-14Preliminary evaluationClosed 2001-01-05 Blower switch/resistor or wiring harness
  10. I
    2000-07-10Preliminary evaluationClosed 2000-10-04 Fuel expulsion during refueling
  11. I
    2000-10-04Engineering analysisClosed 2001-01-25 Fuel expulsion during refueling
  12. R
    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. I
    2001-01-05Engineering analysisClosed 2001-07-31 Blower switch/resistor or wiring harness
  14. R
    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. R
    2001-09-19Suspension01I013000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  16. R
    2001-10-23Suspension01V255000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  17. I
    2002-02-26Recall queryClosed 2002-09-12 Incorrect gear indication
  18. R
    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  19. R
    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1998 Mercury Mystique — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Suspension: 55 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 42 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 42 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 98V028000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 98V233000 · Power train
  • Recall 99V103000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 99V194000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 99V243000 · Air bags
  • Recall 00V075000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 01V230000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 01I013000 · Suspension
  • Recall 01V255000 · Suspension
  • Recall 06E022000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 08E033000 · Suspension
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years2 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, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Mercury Mystique have?
11 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.