RoadVitals

1999 Mercury Mystique

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
128
Latest Oct 8, 2012
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest Apr 14, 2008
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
15
12 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 128 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Mercury Mystique, most frequently naming the body & structure, brakes and engine categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 170 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
08E033000

SUSPENSION

Apr 14, 2008
6,903 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
The risk: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The 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.
FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS PRODUCTSView on NHTSA.gov
06E022000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Mar 13, 2006
7,440 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.
The risk: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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 1-800-323-0354.
BRAKE PARTS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
00V075000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

Mar 9, 2000
436,200 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The 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.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 00S03View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP06004ClosedDefect Petition

INSTRUMENT PANEL COVER WARPAGE

Opened Oct 23, 2006
Closed Apr 10, 2007

THE AGENCY HAS DENIED A PETITION REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF INSTRUMENT PANEL WARPAGE FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. THE NOTICE OF DENIAL WAS PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER, VOLUME 72, NUMBER 67, ON MONDAY, APRIL 9, 2007, PAGES 17605 AND 17606.SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH FOR DETAILS.

STRUCTURE
EA01001ClosedEngineering Analysis

BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS

Opened Jan 5, 2001
Closed Jul 31, 2001

There is no summary currently available

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMLed to recall 01I009000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 128
Body & structureEngine
Filed Oct 8, 2012

I WAS DRIVING ALONG WHEN I COULD SMELL MY CAR GETTING HOT, SO I PULLED OVER AND SURE ENOUGH IT WAS OVERHEATING, BUT DID NOT SHOW INSIDE ON THE DASHBOARD, SO I HAD IT CHECKED AND THE PLASTIC HOUSING AROUND THE THERMOSTAT WAS CRACKED IN 3 PLACES, SO I SAY FIX IT ,THEY SAID IT WOULD BE 450.00, OK NO PROBLEM, THEN THEY CALLED BACK AND SAID THAT THE HOUSING WAS WELDED TO THE MANIFOLD AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE ALL FOR 1200.00 AND THAT THE HOUSING WASN'T MADE OF PLASTIC ANYMORE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AND FIXED FOR FREE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10479223
Incident
Oct 2, 2012
Mileage
125,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Mar 17, 2011

S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM REQUESTING THE RECALL AND REPLACEMENT OF FACULTY FLOOR MATS DUE TO SAFETY REASONS ON HIS 1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE CLIPS THAT HELD THE FLOOR MATS IN PLACE BROKE DUE TO NORMAL WEAR.

NHTSA ID
10391944
Incident
Mar 1, 2011
Body & structure
Filed Oct 29, 2009

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANELS SURFACE BEGAN DEVELOPED CRACKS AND WARPS. A PLASTIC PIECE FROM THE PANEL, THAT WAS 5 INCHES IN HEIGHT BLOCKS THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT COMMENTED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE FORD CONTOUR DASHBOARD DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

NHTSA ID
10290283
Incident
Jul 21, 2001
Mileage
80,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 17, 2009

1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE, SECOND OWNER, PURCHASED IS 2005. THE GAS LINE FREEZES WHEN THE TEMPERATURE REACHES BELOW 20 DEGREES. THE TANK IS HALF FULL, TREATED FOR WINTER WEATHER AND IT STILL FREEZES. THIS IS NOT NORMAL: I'VE OWNED 2 OTHER VEHICLES (FORD TEMPO/DODGE STRATUS) NEVER HAPPENED. I'VE MISSED WORK DUE TO THIS GAS LINE FREEZE AND AM THE ONLY RESIDENT IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD THAT IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. IT HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURE DEFECT OR THE GAS TANK IS NOT PROTECTED. THIS IS THE SECOND WINTER SEASON THIS HAS HAPPENED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10255408
Incident
Jan 7, 2008
Mileage
70,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 2, 2009
Fire reported

MY HUSBAND AND I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC FROM AN APPOINTMENT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTS SMOKING WITHIN A QUICK SECOND THE FRONT LEFT SIDE BURST INTO FLAMES, ELECTRICAL WINDOWS WOULDN'T WORK AND THE BRAKES FAILED, THE WE HAD TO RIDE TRAFFIC UNTIL WE COULD MOVE OVER TO THE CURVE AT THIS TIME THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD TO BE USED IN ORDER TO STOP THE CAR AND I HAD TO MOVE MYSELF OUT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10253621
Incident
Dec 28, 2008
Brakes
Filed Jul 16, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE DRIVEWAY AT 2 MPH, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. SHE HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. SHE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH. SHE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINE AND CHASSIS WERE EXCESSIVELY RUSTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 206,000. UPDATED 09/10/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/12/08. *JB

NHTSA ID
10234509
Incident
Jul 11, 2008
Mileage
206,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 20, 2008

1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE DASHBOARD IS CURLING UP. CONSUMER STATES THAT FORD'S RECALL TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM HAS EXPIRED AND THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *NJ

NHTSA ID
10231809
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
EngineExterior lightingSeat belts
Filed Jun 9, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. THE CONTACT NOTICED MOISTURE IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT DRIPPED WATER INTO THE TRUNK WHEN IT WAS OPENED. SHE NOTICED THAT THE MOISTURE WAS ALWAYS PRESENT, ESPECIALLY AFTER IT RAINED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 51,504 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,246. UPDATED 07/07/08. *LJ THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS INOPERABLE, THE TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED. UPDATED

NHTSA ID
10230307
Incident
Jun 10, 2007
Mileage
48,246 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

04189

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:REAR WINDOW

REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR. *TT

042107

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT

04217

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

GENERAL POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT

031501

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT

INOPERATIVE ELECTRIC REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER (HEATED BACKLITE) GRID LINES, INTEGRAL ANTENNA CONCERNS. *TT

04104

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0420 AND/OR P0430/ 2.5L ENGINE ONLY. *TT

041814

STEERING:COLUMN

STEERING COLUMN SHIPPED WITHOUT CRUSH PAD - REUSE ORIGINAL CRUSH PAD IF NOT DAMAGED. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mercury Mystique by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2002200—
2001200—
2000635156.3
1999Viewing1284259.3
199823111760.9
1997717460.9
199618510562.2
199533512661.9
1994200—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.