1997 Mercury Mystique

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #01V230000July 9, 2001342,962 vehicles affected

  electrical system

  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.

  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 recall #00V075000March 9, 2000436,200 vehicles affected

  service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components

  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.

  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 recall #99V103000May 5, 1999605,581 vehicles affected

  exterior lighting: headlights: switch

  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The terminals at the headlight switch and wiring harness connector Can experience heat damage as a result of overheating.

  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 recall #98V233000September 18, 1998175,000 vehicles affected

  power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift

  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.

  This condition Can result in incorrect gear selection.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the automatic transmission floor shift control.

Other model years

• 1995 335
• 1996 185
• 1997
• 1998 231
• 1999 128
• 2000 63