1997 Mercury Mystique problems
The 1997 Mercury Mystique has 100 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (14%) concerns engine. After that come brakes (13%) and lighting (13%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 100 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 14% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 4 and 3
- Injuries and deaths
- 6 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 88,000 miles 16 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 0 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 1 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 2 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 3 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 9 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 0 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 16 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 88,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 4 complaints mention a crash; 3 complaints mention a fire; 6 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1997 ranks 6th most-complained-about out of 6 model years of the Mercury Mystique with enough data (52 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 4 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Consumer was traveling 20-25 MPH. Upon depressing the brake pedal to make a sudden stop, the pedal traveled to the floorboard, resulting in extended stopping distance, causing an accident. Consumer has contacted the dealer. Please provide any further details.
Crankshaft dampner/pulley failed causing vehicle to loose power steering in wet weather,resulting in vehicle collision and brain injury.
Dt*: the contact stated while traveling various speeds, the overdrive activated on and off. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop, where a certified mechanic determined that either the inside or outside sensor of the automatic transmission was faulty. There was a NHTSA recall #98v233000, regarding the powertrain: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift. The manufacturer was contacted and determined that the vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.
My 97 mercury mystique has a bad brake fluid leak from a part on the brake line (pressure conscious release valve) that was recalled #06e022000. Fluid must be added every few days when the brake light comes on. Ford tells me there is no recall info for my car and won't do anything. They could not say if any recall work had been done on my car. Bottom line, this is not preventative, my car is dangerously leaking brake fluid from a recalled part.