1997 Mercury Mystique Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 13%of 71 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 62,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Mercury Mystique, 13% of the 71 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,500 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“Gear shifter indicator malfunctions, and doesn't indicate the gear that the vehicle is in. There is a shift lever damage recall 98v233000, but this vehicle is not included in the recall due to VIN.”
NHTSA complaint #10071755, filed 2004-04, 50,000 miles“Recall on 1997 Mercury Mystique NHTSA campaign id# 48v233000. Power train. Automatic transmission lever and linkage floor shift. Dealer refusing to honor recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10170229, filed 2006-10, 30,000 miles“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. Also, the clock light on the insrument panel went permanently out. …”
NHTSA complaint #10173033, filed 2006-11, 94,000 milesRelated recalls
- 98V233000Sep 18, 1998Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The floor shift automatic transmission control can be damaged if subjected to certain interior cleaning products. The…Covers: Mercury Mystique 1995–1998, Ford Contour 1995–1998
Related service bulletins
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10013369Nov 1, 2004General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 Mercury Mystique
13 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Mercury Mystique
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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