1999 Mercury Mystique: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 128 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (21% of complaints); the 1997 and 2000 model years look 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 128 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2012
“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.”Owner report · Equipment · Mar 2011
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2008
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jul 2008
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jan 2008
“My 1999 mercury mystiques dash board has completely warped. It has rendered the defroster useless. I was not informed of any recall for the defect. I now understand that the lincoln/mercury company did acknowledge a defect in the dashboards. What remedy can I expect ? *tr”Owner report · Visibility · Jul 2007
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2007
“I had a strap that had rusted underneath my car. A 1999 mercury mystique 2.0, so I took it to the mechanic. He indicated that my gas tank strap rusted through and that the other one was about to fail as well. He told me that this is a definite hazard and could have proved to be dangerous if I did not take care of it. He also said that there should have been a recall regarding this problem. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Apr 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 mercury mystique. The contact heard a loud grinding noise coming from the front end of the vehicle and felt a vibration while idling. The mechanic stated that the engine mounts needed to be changed. The contact stated that the vehicle would jerk to the right when stopping and jerked to the left when he accelerated. As of july 27, 2007, the vehicle has not been repaired. The current mileage was 57,000 and failure mileage was 50,000. Updated 02-01-08. *kb the consumer has since traded in the vehicle. Updated”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2007
“I own a 1999 mercury mystique. The dashboard has come loose and warped significantly near the windshield. The plastic piece that surrounds the defrost vent has broken. The defroster no longer works sufficiently due to the warped dashboard being in the way. The local dealer told me they could fix it at what to me is a significant cost. I cannot afford this and it is obviously a defect in the vehicle. *jb”Owner report · Visibility · Mar 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 14 of these complaints and injuries in 12 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WHICH UTILIZE A PARK/LOCK SOLENOID. IT IS POSSIBLE TO ROTATE THE IGNITION KEY TO THE LOCK POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT THE SHIFT LEVER AND TRANSMISSION BEING IN PARK. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES. VEHICLES THAT HAVE UNITS WITH IGNITION KEYS REMOVABLE IN GEAR POSITIONS OTHER THAN PARK, WILL HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED.
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 1999 Mercury Mystique reliable?
NHTSA has 128 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Mercury Mystique. The most complained-about area is structure (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Mercury Mystique problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,000 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Mercury Mystique have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic. 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.