1996 Mercury Mystique Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 47about this part
- Share
- 25%of 185 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 97,450miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 47 complaints about the electrical system of the 1996 Mercury Mystique, 25% of the 185 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 97,450 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 10 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10254653, filed 2009-01, 89,000 miles“Car has had increasing number of electrical problems...check engine light coming on. Mechanics couldn't find what was triggering it after replacing the oxygen sensors repeatedly. Other twitches (stalling, burned up turn signal module,) finally culminating in complete brake light and reverse light failure. Took the car back to my mechanics, who replaced the signal module, and showed me the burn marks on it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10167604, filed 2006-09, 98,400 miles“My complaint involves a 1996 Mercury Mystique involving a failure of all interior lighting, side mirror adjustment, radio and clock related to a blown fuse #34 in the auxlillary fuse box. …”
NHTSA complaint #10029124, filed 2003-07, 107,520 miles“Ford contour 1995 engine fire that destroyed everything in the engine mecury 1996 mystic wireing shortage that could have started a fire in the engine compartment.”
NHTSA complaint #10005834, filed 2003-02, 165,000 miles“Fire occured while vehicle was parked. Would like someone to investigate. Ford says they would not investigate and would not compensate for replacement of vehicle. Insurance will only cover market value which does not replace my car. Please advise as far as legal recourse. Dealership says they cannot do anything either. In the mean time I cannot purchase a similar vehicle for the blue book value.”
NHTSA complaint #701643, filed 1998-12Related recalls
- 01V230000Jul 9, 2001On certain my 1996-1998 passenger vehicles built at the kansas city, cuautitlan assembly plants or on my 1999 passenger vehcles built at the automotive…Covers: Mercury Mystique 1996–1998, Ford Contour 1996–1998, Mercury Cougar 1999
Related service bulletins
- 10020445Oct 1, 1999Under hood wire harness. Additional 10 years or 100,000 miles. Ford.
Electrical system: other model years
Other parts of the 1996 Mercury Mystique
41 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
30 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
19 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsExterior lighting
15 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsFuel system
14 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsAir bags
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Mercury Mystique
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology