Mercury Mystique Complaints

1,019 consumer complaints on file.

#10158017May 22, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
I HAVE HAD A SHUTDOWN OF THE HEATER/AC FAN DUE TO MELTING OF THE WIRING HARNESS DESCRIBED BELOW. I REPLACED IT ONCE A COUPLE YEARS AGO AND IT JUST FRIED AGAIN. I WAS UNAWARE OF AN IDENTIFIED PROBLEM PRIOR TO THIS UNTIL I SAW THIS NO THE INTERNET. I LIVE IN THE DESERT AND IS CURRENTLY TRIPLE DIGIT TEMPERATURES AND IS IMPERATIVE I GET THIS FIXED. I CHECKED MY VIN NUMBER AND IT IS NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL LIST BUT FROM THE PRIOR EXPERIENCE I HAVE HAD WITH THIS PROBLEM IN MY CAR, I FEEL IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. CAN YOU HELP ME? SYMPTOMS> COMPLETE SHUTDOWN OF A/C, HEATING. FAN SYSTEM AND AN ODOR OF SOMETHING BURNED. LAST TIME THE HARNESS WAS FRIED AND THE HARNESS WAS REPLACED (BUT I DID NOT KNOW OF THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE THEN) BUT THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTER WAS NOT REPLACED. CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V230000 DATE: 2001-JUL-09 COMPONENT: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DEFECT SUMMARY: ON CERTAIN MY 1996-1998 PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY, CUAUTITLAN ASSEMBLY PLANTS OR ON MY 1999 PASSENGER VEHICLES 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. CONSEQUENCE SUMMARY: THE OPEN CIRCUIT COULD LEAD TO ELECTRICAL ARCING THAT COULD MELT THE CONNECTOR HOUSING MATERIAL CREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE. CORRECTIVE SUMMARY: 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. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10157002May 8, 2006
SEAT BELTS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT AND REAR SEAT BELTS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. IN ORDER TO FASTEN THE BELTS, THEY MUST BE UNTANGLED BEFORE BEING FASTED BECAUSE THE BELTS DO NOT RETRACT. THE MATERIAL HAS BECOME DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE TO RETRACT WHEN NOT IN USE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150419February 16, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND IDLED AT AN ELEVATED LEVEL WHILE PARKED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 00V367000, REGARDING THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SUGGESTED REPLACING THE WIRING HARNESS THAT SUPPORTS THE ELECTRICAL CURRENTS OF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148043January 18, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE TEMPERATURE GAGE ELEVATED WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN. THE VEHICLE HAD AN ODOR OF SOMETHING BURNING LIKE PLASTIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED EXPOSED WIRES LEADING TO THE FAN AND ENGINE. THE RADIATOR WAS FLUSHED, ENGINE PERFORMANCE ENHANCER WAS ADDED, SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE EXPOSED WIRING WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED A RECALL CONCERNING THE FAN WIRING. THE VEHICLE REMAINED PARKED FOR TWO WEEKS BEFORE IT WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL SERVICE DEALER. THE DEALER BEGAN WORKING ON OBTAINING AUTHORIZATION FOR THE RECALL REMEDY, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE THE RECALL REMEDY BECAUSE OF THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT IS THE SECOND OWNER OF THE VEHICLE, BUT THE ORIGINAL OWNER DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL LETTER. THEREFORE THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 00V367000, REGARDING THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE TIME RESTRICTIONS OF THE RECALL REMEDY. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147635January 12, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. THIS COMPONENT HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE AND FAILED A SECOND TIME. THERE IS NHTSA RECALL, CAMPAIGN 99V103000, REGARDING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147379January 10, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147142January 7, 2006
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DASHBOARD COVER IS CURLING BACK FROM FRONT EDGE AND INTERFERING WITH PROPER DEFROSTER FUNCTION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146330December 29, 2005
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2000 MERCURY MYSTIQUE LS AND THE DASHBOARD PAD IS DELAMINATING AND CURLING UP ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I PREVIOUSLY HAD THE RECALL FIX THAT WAS ISSUED FOR IT DONE AND THIS WAS ONLY SOMEWHAT SUCCESSFUL AS IT DID ADDRESS THE DASH WARPAGE AROUND THE DEFROST VENT BUT NOW THE DASH HAS NOW BEGUN TO CURL UP AT THE BASTE OF THE WINDSHIELD. EVENTUALLY IT WILL CONTINUE TO CURL AND BEGIN TO OBSTRUCT MY VIEW OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146141December 27, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT HAY-WIRE, CAR STARTING HESITATING, AND SLAMMING FROM GEAR TO GEAR. TOOK TO A SERVICE CENTER THAT ADVISED ME THAT IT HAD A BAD SENSOR. PAID CLOSE TO $800.00 TO HAVE REPLACED. CAR STARTED WITH MORE ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. (IE: LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO ON, ETC) TOOK BACK TO SERVICE CENTER THAT THEN ADVISED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS ON THE CAR WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND CAUSES THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO SHORT CIRCUIT. THE WIRING HARNESS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND WIRING ON CAR WOULD HAVE TO BE REDONE COSTING CLOSE TO $3000.00. THEY ALSO ADVISED THAT THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, THAT IT WOULD BE JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS CAR WOULD CATCH FIRE. DID NOT HAVE $$ TO MAKE REPAIR, CONTINUED TO DRIVE CAR HAVING NO OTHER OPTION WITH A BABY, AND YOUNG CHILD THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN TO SCHOOL, ETC. WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE DAYS LATER, THE CAR WENT FROM 75 MPH TO 10 MPH LIKE HITTING A WALL. ALMOST GOT REAR-ENDED AND HAD TO EXIT, DRIVING HOME AT 10 MPH THE WHOLE WAY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145966December 23, 2005
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145967December 23, 2005
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1. NO EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE. 2. DASHBOARD COVER DELAMINATION IN WIFE'S 99 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. MAKES VISIBILITY DIFFICULT, AND DEFROSTER LESS EFFECTIVE. 3. DEALER STATED RECALL NO LONGER VALID, PARTS NOT REPLACED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144130December 1, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN #01V230000 CONCERNING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED BECAUSE IT WAS TOO EXPENSIVE *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144182December 1, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE DIAGNOSTIC CODE SAYS THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS DEFECTIVE, EVEN THOUGH IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE COVERED BY AN 8 YEAR 80,000 MILE WARRANTY I HAVE BEEN STONE WALLED BY EARNHARDT FORD IN ARIZONA IN GETTING IT FIXED. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE 4 O2 SENSORS AT MY EXPENSE IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. WHEN MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE FIRST TIME I TOOK THE CAR INTO MY MECHANIC WHO SAID THE CODE WAS FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THAT IT WOULD BE COVERED BY MY WARRANTY SO I SHOULD CONTACT A FORD DEALER. I CALLED A FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID CALL A MERCURY DEALER, WHEN I CALLED THE MERCURY DEALER THEY SAID THE LIGHT HAD TO BE ON OR THEY WOULDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON 2 WEEKS LATER AND I TOOK IT TO EARNHARDT MERCURY IN TEMPE AZ WHO CHECKED THE LIGHT AND SAID THAT IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BUT THEY HAT TO REPROGRAM THE PCM TO CONFIRM THE DIAGNOSIS AND THAT THEY COULDN'T DO IT AT THAT DEALER AND SHIPPED MY CAR TO EARNHARDT FORD IN CHANDLER WHO SAID THEY WERE TO BUSY TO REPROGRAM THE PCM AND HAD TO KEEP MY CAR OVERNIGHT. THEY THEN SAID THAT I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN BEFORE THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO ORDER PARTS TO FIX IT. SO I WILL HAVE TO LEAVE MY CAR WITH THEM A 3RD TIME. SO FAR THEY STILL HAVE MY CAR FOR A 2ND DAY AND I CANNOT GET A CALL BACK FROM THE MANAGER OF THE SERVICE DEPT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143439November 22, 2005
EQUIPMENT, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I HAVE A 1998 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. THE VEHICLE RECENTLY BEGAN RUNNING ABNORMALLY. SO IN INSPECTION OF THIS, I DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLES ACCELERATION IS BEING RAISED WITHOUT ME EVEN TOUCHING THE GAS. I WAS ON THE ROAD AND MY VEHICLE WAS SPEEDING UP ON IT'S OWN AND I COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHY. IT SEEMS AS IF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS CONSTANTLY ON OR SOMETHING. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142865November 16, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
ON MONDAY, AUGUST 8TH, 2005 IN THE MORNING I DROVE THE CAR TO WORK WITH MY WIFE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. ON OUR WAY FILLED THE GAS TANK AT ESSO STATION AT 7:30 A.M. SHORTLY AFTER DRIVING THE CAR OUT OF THE GAS STATION I HEARD TWO LOUD BANGS IN QUICK SUCCESSION FOLLOWED BY A ROUGH SOUND WHICH SOUNDED LIKE THE CAR WAS DRAGGING A PIECE OF METAL ON THE ROAD. STOPPED THE CAR ON THE SHOULDER AND HAD THE INSPIRATION TO LOOK UNDER IT. I SAW TWO PIECES OF WHAT LOOKED LIKE PUTRID STEEL STRAPS HANGING FROM UNDER THE GAS TANK AND TOUCHING THE PAVEMENT. DROVE THE VEHICLE TO MIDTOWN FORD, THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I REGULARLY SERVICE MY CAR WHERE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN ACCEPTED FOR SERVICE AT 7:50 A.M. I ASKED THE MIDTOWN CSR NICK PULSE TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT ON THE SPOT TO ASSESS THE VEHICLE'S CONDITION. NICK HAD A QUICK VISUAL INSPECTION LOOKING UNDER THE CAR AND CONFIRMED THAT: A.BOTH STRAPS ARE BROKEN AND THEY APPEAR COMPLETELY RUSTED HAVING A PAPER-LIKE TEXTURE. B.THE GAS TANK AT THAT MOMENT WAS ONLY HOLDING IN PLACE ON THE FUEL PIPE. C.THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE FOR DRIVING. D.IT IS THE FIRST TIME WHEN HE SAW ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAPPENING TO A VEHICLE HE SERVICED. AS A RESULT, MIDTOWN FORD SERVICED MY VEHICLE PROMPTLY AND NICK PROVIDED HIGH QUALITY PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE AS ALWAYS. GIVEN THE FACTS PRESENTED ABOVE I ASCERTAIN THE FOLLOWING: 1.THE FUEL TANK STRAPS BROKE UNEXPECTEDLY. 2.I HAD NO INFLUENCE OVER THIS EVENT AND DID NOT INFLUENCE IT. 3.THE BREAKING OF THE STRAPS ENDANGERED MY WIFE''S LIFE AND MINE. THE GAS TANK WAS FULL AND COULD HAVE DROPPED ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING SUDDEN IGNITION OF THE FUEL POTENTIALLY FOLLOWED BY EXPLOSION. 4.AT THE MOMENT OF PURCHASE I WAS NOT INFORMED OF ANY POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL TANK STRAPS OR WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM. 5.I DID NOT RECEIVE TO DATE ANY RECALL NOTIFICATION FROM FORD CANADA ON THE ISSUE OF DEFECTIVE FUEL TANK STRAPS OR ON THE OVERALL FUEL SYSTEM. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142773November 15, 2005
STRUCTURE
DASH BOARD WARP / CURL / DELAMINATION CAUSES OBSTRUCTED VISIBILITY. 1999 MODEL YEAR CONTOUR OMITTED DASH PANEL COMPONENT FOR SECURING DASH COVER AT WINDSHIELD. WINDSHIELD FOGS BADLY IN RAINY OR HUMID CONDITIONS AND WARPED DASH COVER DISLODGES VENT PREVENTING EFFECTIVE DEFROST / DE-FOGGING EFFORTS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10140525October 23, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
RAINY DAY, SUV VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME COMPLETELY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF STREET TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN, HE MUST HAVE JUST STOPPED, BECAUSE WHEN I SLOWED DOWN TO BRAKE MY CAR SLID AND HIT HIM IN THE REAR, MY WHOLE FRONT OF CAR WAS SMASHED WITH THE RADIATOR PARTIALLY UP IN THE AIR, THE CAR TOTALLED, I WOULD SAY, YET THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND IT HAD DUAL AIR BAGS. I HAD A CUT ON MY NOSE, NOT BAD, BUT WITH BLEEDING INSIDE NOSE, AND LOWER BACK PAINS, MY HEAD HITTING STEERING WHEEL. ALSO MY BROTHER HAS PAINS IN HIS RIB WHICH WE ARE GOING TO THE DOCTOR FORTO HAVE XRAYS. I BELIEVE THESE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED AT TIME OF IMPACT, I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS . THANK YOU. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10139667October 14, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
DT: THE CONTACT WAS HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. SHE SAID THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WOULD JUMP WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING. SHE WAS GOING ABOUT 40 MPH. SHE HAD IT LOOKED AT, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS IN THE WIRING. SHE SAID WHEN THE MECHANIC LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON BY THEMSELVES. A MECHANIC TOLD HER THE WIRES WERE BAD, AND THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SHE WAS TOLD THIS BY TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS. SHE FOUND OUT ABOUT A RECALL 01V230000 ON THE WIRING HARNESS. DEALER TOLD HER THE RECALL HAS EXPIRED. MANUFACTURER SAID THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10136054September 9, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10134309August 26, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS TOLD THE WIRING HARNESS ON MY 1995 MERCURY MYSTIQUE HAS FAILED. THE CAR ONLY HAS 72,000 MILES. IT STARTED WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS SYSTEMS FAILING. IT HAS NOW SPREAD TO THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. THE CAR IS NOW UNDRIVABLE. MY FORD DEALER TOLD ME THIS FAILURE IS BECOMING A PROBLEM ON THE FORD CONTOUR/MERCURY MYSTIQUE MODELS. IS THERE ANY RECOURSE I CAN TAKE?*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Mercury Mystique