1997 Mercury Mystique Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe brake problems, especially brake fluid leaks from the rear pressure-conscious valve and pedal-to-floor loss of braking, plus exterior lighting failures tied to the headlight switch and wiring. Many complaints are filed at higher mileages (often 60,000-125,000), and several owners mention that recall campaigns were not applied to their vehicle because of VIN or that a dealer refused or could not complete the work.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Brake fluid leaks and loss of brake pressure

   • 11 complaints (15%)
   • median 93,000 mi at 15.5 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2012

   Complaints describe brake fluid leaking from the pressure conscious reducing valve on the rear brake line, with the brake warning light coming on and fluid needing frequent topping up. Some owners report the pedal traveling all the way to the floor and stopping distance lengthening. Several mention the valve recall, and that they were told their VIN or mileage was not covered. Mostly reported between about 90,000 and 95,000 miles, in vehicles several years old.

   Recall 00V075000

   What to check: Have a mechanic inspect the rear brake lines and pressure conscious valve for corrosion or wetness and confirm whether recall 00V075000 was ever performed. Check brake fluid level and pedal feel before and after a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10463487, filed 2012-06, 93,000 miles

   “When driving and upon making a complete stop, master cylinder went out, resulting in loss of all fluid, and causing brake pedal to travel to the floorboard, resulting in unwanted and unexpected acceleration. Consumer has contacted the dealer. Please provide any further details.”

   NHTSA complaint #860296, filed 2000-04
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Gear position indicator wrong or shifter damaged

   • 6 complaints (8%)
   • median 47,000 mi at 9.2 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2001–2009

   Complaints describe the floor shifter becoming loose or damaged so the gear position indicator no longer shows the gear the car is actually in, and in some cases the vehicle jumping out of gear. Owners repeatedly cite the floor shift lever and linkage recall and say they were told their vehicle was excluded by VIN. Some also report harsh or delayed shifting, and one mentions intermittent overdrive engagement traced to a transmission sensor. Reported from about 30,000 to 75,000 miles, with several cars well over a decade old at the time.

   Recall 98V2330002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether recall 98V233000 applies to the VIN and was completed, then check that the indicator matches the gear selected in every position and that the shifter feels solid.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Nhtsa campaign id no. 98v233000. The same thing is happening to my 1997 Mercury Mystique, the gear position indicator is deteriorate and is not correctly indicating the actual gear position. I called ford motor co. And they are not going to do any thing about it!”

   NHTSA complaint #10132995, filed 2005-08, 44,000 miles

   “The vehicle is not shifting into the proper gears. It just started happening one day. It has to be in drive 2 at the start of driving and when it gets to a certain point it must be shifted into drive. This occurs everytime I drive. Nothing has been done as of yet to repair the problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10257128, filed 2009-02, 75,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Overheating, coolant and thermostat problems

   • 11 complaints (15%)
   • median 122,500 mi at 7.7 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1999–2008

   Owners describe the engine running hot with the check engine light coming on, sometimes followed by a stall, and repairs involving the thermostat, coolant sensor or EGR valve that did not resolve it. Others report slow warm-up in cold weather and ice forming inside the windshield. Leaking oil seals and a blown gasket are also described. Most often reported on higher-mileage cars, commonly above 100,000 miles, and slow warm-up is noted in cold weather.

   What to check: Check coolant level and condition, look for oil weeping at the engine seals, and confirm the temperature gauge reaches and holds normal during a warm-up drive with the heater and defroster on.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “This is the second time the oil seals have failed since I got this car just over a year ago. I don't drive it enough for it to be a problem that I have started. I only drive from my house to the subway which is about 6 blocks away. I don't think I should have to pay to get this recurring problem fixed and still have to pay a car note when the car is sitting in my backyard!”

   NHTSA complaint #763202, filed 2002-06

   “Dt: the wiring harness and the blower resistor was fixed which were on recall. On 4-22-05 and on 5-06-05 while the car was being driven on the highway, the car gave a ticking noise. Then the car gave a puff of blue and black smoke and the car stopped. After the mechanic looked at the car, the mechanic said the engine was gone. The car underwent regular check ups and oil changes. There were no indications that the engine was having any problems or malfunctions. The engine has not been repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10120999, filed 2005-05, 80,000 miles
4. 4
   Exterior lighting

   Headlights, tail lights and panel lights failing

   • 9 complaints (13%)
   • median 79,500 mi at 10.2 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2007

   Owners describe headlights, parking lights, tail lights or dash panel lights that stop working, flicker, or come on and off intermittently. Some link this to the headlight switch and wiring harness connector recall and say damage was found at the switch or that a wiring harness replacement was quoted at high cost. A turn signal that did not flash correctly and stopped working after a multi-function switch replacement is also described. Reported across a wide mileage range, from roughly 60,000 to over 90,000 miles, on cars many years old.

   Recall 99V103000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 99V103000 was completed on this car, and test every light — headlights on both settings, parking lights, tail lights, turn signals and dash lights — with the engine running.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Car had a recall associated with exterior lights when my parents owned it about five years ago. The parking lights stopped operating. Per suggestion of ford took car to dealership and paid $85 for an evaluation. They indicated I had two open wires and the estimated repair cost would exceed $2,000 to replace the wiring harness.”

   NHTSA complaint #10182996, filed 2007-02, 65,000 miles

   “The turn signal failure to operate properly poses a problem to the driver of the vehicle and other drivers in that it does not signal at the time it is flashing on the indicator on the dash of the automobile. We were charged by the dealer for work on this signal and it has never been corrected. We were charged $167.92 for work to replace a multi function switch. We feel this is a hazard that needs to be corrected by the dealer or manufacturer.”

   NHTSA complaint #732653, filed 2000-09
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Electrical shorts, blower resistor and under-hood wiring

   • 6 complaints (8%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 8.6 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2005

   Complaints describe electrical faults that leave hazard lights, interior lights and wipers working intermittently, with dealers unable to find the cause on some visits. Several owners report smoke or fire from under-hood wiring near the dash, and blower resistor or heater wiring damage; one says the resistor and wiring harness were replaced under recall. A separate complaint notes an electrical smell and occasional smoke from the heater and air conditioning switch. Reported from one to several years old, with several incidents occurring after washing the car or in wet weather.

   Recall 01V230000

   What to check: Ask whether the heater blower resistor wiring recall 01V230000 was completed, and check the blower on every speed setting along with the wipers, hazard and interior lights.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was drying my car off after washing it; the engine was off and the wiring under the hood just beyond the dash on the driver's side started smoking and caught fire. After the fire went out, when I started the engine, the wipers came on and would not go off until I removed the fuse. All panel lights are off. Previously, about six weeks before the fire event, the panel lights fuse blew (when it was raining) and I replaced it and the panel lights were dim.”

   NHTSA complaint #734789, filed 2000-10

   “Electrical system shorted out, causing hazard lights/ interior lights on door, and windshield wipers to work intermittently. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer unable to determine cause. Dealer cleaned everything after pulling down fuse panel, vehicle was back in shop a few days later, after last visit consumer has not had any problems.”

   NHTSA complaint #883452, filed 2001-03

Buying note. On a car of this age, the brake hydraulics and the lighting and shifter recalls are the practical points to verify: ask for any recall work records by VIN, and have the rear brake lines and valve inspected before relying on the car. Expect the usual maintenance items for a high-mileage 1990s compact, including cooling system and electrical repairs.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 49 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.