1998 Mercury Mystique problems
The 1998 Mercury Mystique has 326 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (18%) concerns suspension. After that come engine (10%) and transmission (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 326 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Suspension 18% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 10 and 17
- Injuries and deaths
- 9 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 80,000 miles 60 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 | 3 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 3 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 9 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 14 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 15 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 9 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 5 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 2 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 60 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 80,000 miles. For suspension specifically, the median reported mileage is about 87,000 miles (14 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 10 complaints mention a crash; 17 complaints mention a fire; 9 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1998 ranks 2nd most-complained-about out of 6 model years of the Mercury Mystique with enough data (190 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 8 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.
Vehicle was hit on front passenger's side, and front seatbelts did not lock up, causing injuries to driver and front seat passenger. Dealer has not seen vehicle.
While in frontal impact the driver's air bag did deploy, but the passenger's airbag did not deploy, which did not protect the occupant in this accident. Also, the passenger's seatbelt did hold the occupant, causing the passenger to sustain head injuries. Please provide further information.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 mercury mystique. While driving various speeds, the contact noticed that the fuel gauge and speedometer displayed inaccurate readings. In addition, the warning lights on the instrument control panel flicker on and off sporadically. The contact also stated that he felt excessive heat underneath the instrument panel. A local mechanic stated that the electrical system was defective and they are currently in the process of repairing the vehicle.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 mercury mystique. While pulling away from a curb at 5 MPH, the front passenger side coil spring failed and punctured the tire, causing a blow out. The VIN is not included in NHTSA campaign id number 01v255000 (suspension:front:springs:coil springs). The current and failure mileages were 87,000.