1998 Mercury Mystique Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 5%of 231 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 87,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the steering of the 1998 Mercury Mystique, 5% of the 231 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 87,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“I have had numerous front end problems. I have had to replace front tie rods twice in a year and a half. Having problems with struts .control arm bushings need to changed. Also stabilizers linkage had to be changed. Have also put new ball joints in.”
NHTSA complaint #10207384, filed 2007-10, 87,000 miles“The steering has never been able to hold an alignment. I had an check engine light go on and had two service tries before it was fixed. I have had a rotten egg smell and engine pinging for the last 6,000 miles. I only have 10,500 on it now. The dealer will not even try to fix it. I'm trying to get a hold of the district rep to try to switch to another vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #701543, filed 1998-12“1998 Mercury Mystique. Electrical sub-harness connector problems. The consumer stated he took the vehicle to his mechanic, because the AC wasn't cooling properly and the vehicle would over heat, while it was on. The vehicle has two fans in the front and they found the cooling fan melted and the sub-harness connector burned up. In addition, they showed the consumer the part of the sub-harness with the insulation just falling off the wire. …”
NHTSA complaint #10637913, filed 2014-09“Horn does not work. Vehicle has been checked by dealer several times. Horn would work intermittently, but currently it has failed completely. The rear seat belts are inoperative. The power steering, alternator, and front brakes failed. The catalytic converter caught on fire.”
NHTSA complaint #8014643, filed 2002-07“Power steering pump failed after a few days of driving in very heavy rain. Power steering was intermittent and then gone completely. The dealer said the rack&pinion and pump need to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #750928, filed 2001-08Related service bulletins
- 10013115Jan 1, 2004Steering column shipped without crush pad - reuse original crush pad if not damaged.
Steering: other model years
Other parts of the 1998 Mercury Mystique
49 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
38 complaintsEngine cooling
34 complaintsBrakes
28 complaintsElectrical system
28 complaintsAir bags
18 complaintsExterior lighting
18 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsSeat belts
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 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