1996 Mercury Mystique: problems, recalls and reliability
10 recalls and 185 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (20% of complaints); the 1997 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2008
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 185 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The under hood wire harness burned up. This car has 89,000 miles and runs good. I heard there was a recall / tsb #( onp 99m03) on this car but ford will not honor it because the car is over 10 years old. I think ford should reimburse for repairs or buy back the car. This is a dangerous situation as the car will stall abruptly and lose power steering. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 mercury mystique. The parking lights on the front and rear of the vehicle along with the instrument panel lights were inoperative. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 99v103000 (exterior lighting:headlights:switch). The current and failure mileages were 138,552.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2008
“The forward gears on my transmission have ceased to work. Now I'm being told that the transmission needs to be replaced. I find it kind of weird that a 96 needs a new transmission already. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2007
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford mercury mystique. While driving 60 mph the speed odometer went from zero to 120, the rmp went up to 40,000, the over drive light illuminated and the vehicle shifted out of gear. The mechanic stated that the wiring harness was failed and the vehicle is no longer drivable. There is a recall for the electrical system (NHTSA campaign #01v230000) however; the manufacture stated that the VIN was not included. The current mileage was 63,500 and the failure mileage 61,900.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2007
“For along time there has been bearing changes. I gave my car to a tenant and she wanted it to get inspected, but she needed both front spring coils to be replaced. And for a long time the air conditioning (a/c) bearings have been bad. It is going to cost her much money. Can a claim be made because of a recall?*ak”Owner report · Suspension · May 2007
“Dt*: the contact stated there was fuel leakage when the vehicle was being fueled. There is a NHTSA recall, # 99v247000, regarding the fuel system gasoline storage tank assembly filler pipe and cap. The VIN was not included in the recall. Although the manufacturer was alerted, no inspections have been made.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jun 2006
“Dt: the contact states there is a NHTSA recall campaign 99v103000 concerning the exterior lighting.: headlights. This vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall, but it is not included in the recall due to VIN. No repairs have been made due to the expense. *ak updated 01/19/06. *jb”Owner report · Visibility · Dec 2005
“Dt: the door latch on driver's side would not shut, had to go to junk yard to get a part and put it in. This happened on august 20, 2005. Consumer bruised hand trying to get the down shut. There was clicking noise in the panel on the driver's side that controls the power windows. Also, the key got hot in the ignition.*ak”Owner report · Visibility · Aug 2005
“I purchased my mercury mystique new in november of 1996. I have always driven the car very easy, I don't even get on the expressway very often. At around 45,000 miles, I had the transmission serviced, which the owners manual doesn't even mention. Now, with only 55k miles, the transmission has failed and needs a total rebuild! Although the car is nearly 9 years old, at 55,000 miles the transmission failing is not acceptable. There has to be some kind of flaw in the design for it to do this. *b”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2005
“I first started smelling fuel after fueling up my car. Then later I noticed that fuel leaks out from under my car when I put fuel into it. I recently noticed it running out from under the car when I just happen to fill up at a gas station that was on an incline. I took the car to a dealership and they said that the ford recall #99s24 does not apply to my car. But.... It is what problem is. Help please. *jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 10 campaigns
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL.
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 INCLUDING MOTOR STALL, CAN RESULT IN INCREASED MOTOR TORQUE AND HIGHER THAN NORMAL MOTOR CURRENT AND ACCOMPANYING HIGH MOTOR TEMPERATURES.
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 100,000 MILES FROM THE WARRANTY START DATE, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. IF THE VEHICLE ALREADY HAS MORE THAN 100,000 MILES, THIS COVERAGE WILL LAST UNTIL JULY 31, 2001.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 VEHICLES. THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR COULD OVERHEAT CAUSING THE ATTACHED ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TO MELT.
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 NEW HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR AND A NEW WIRE JUMPER HARNESS FREE OF CHARGE.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Mystique by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Mercury Mystique reliable?
NHTSA has 185 owner complaints and 10 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Mercury Mystique. The most complained-about area is electrical system (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Mercury Mystique problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 88,500 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Mercury Mystique have open recalls?
10 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and cap. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.