Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Mercury Mystique owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I bought this car on June 22,2011. On that day I told the dealer that the speedometer was acting erratic,jumping up and down. At the time, it wasn't affecting the speed. They said they know and just wait and see what happens. About a month or so later,the speedometer stopped working, causing the car to hesitate a little. I brought it back and they got a cable from a used contour and rigged it so it would work. So they claim.I was also told they just repaired the cable differently. Regardless,they said they repaired it. It worked and I drove it for at least another 2 months or so now and it failed again. I drove back to the shop and they say its a dealer part or they don't even make them anymore? I don't know how fast im going,which is dangerous and as of today,the 9th of sept2011, it doesn't work.
Dt: there is a problem with the accelerator pedal sticking since June 2005. It happened at least five times. Three times it stuck to the floor. There have been no accidents because of this problem. The consumer found that there was a recall on the year, make, and model. When she contacted the manufacture r,they told her that this vehicle not included due to VIN. The recall only included vehicles with traction control.
Vehicle experienced sudden acceleration when consumer is not accelerating. While driving at higher speeds, the vehicle speed will drop unexpectedly, and after a moment it would return to the actual speed which results in stalling . In addition, vehicle shakes / vibrates. Consume states vehicle will accelerate itself up to 20 MPH without giving any gas and then will drop down again to the speed it was before, vehicle will decelerate to 10 MPH, without stalling and then will return to speed that was traveling before.
While traveling cruise control sticks, not disengaging set at 65 MPH. Owner pushed brake pedal to disengage, but no response. He then tried pushing off button on steering wheel, still no response. Owner had to immediately pull off the road and shut off ignition. Vehicle sat on the side of the road until owner felt that vehicle had cooled off. Then, and only then, was he able to shut off cruise control. Owner stated that manufacturer was reluctant, and did take complaint seriously. Please describe details.
While driving vehicle would not pick up speed. Later, it would kick in, and suddenly accelerate. Took to transmission mechanic, and was informed not transmission. Took to another mechanic, and was informed it was timing belt, and then later not timing belt, it was head gasket which was warped. Engine was replaced. Then vehicle not able to be started right away. Spark plugs had blown out. Currently, mechanic thinks it was electrical system.
Throttle sticks at wide open position. This caused damage to the transmission, which now grinds when shifting into third gear. The driveshaft was replaced due to noise and vibration at a cost of $1,100.00, but this did not fix the problem. The heater fan switch has failed twice. The first time it was covered under a voluntary program.
Received recall notice (*97V225000). Called & set appointment. Was called back & told no parts. While driving pressed on accelerator & no power., later it kicked in, intermittent only. Took to dealer & told to make other appointment in front & leave vehicle. Needed vehicle for work in evenings & could not leave vehicle all day.
The braking system malfuctions intermittently. When braking the vehicle moves to right or to the left, causing the vehicle to move into that lane which May cause an accident. Also at a stop sign with foot on the brake the vehicle idles, and moves forward abouth an inch. Dealer cannot determine problem.
Rpms running at 400-600 RPM's in drive, idle causes it to shake. Normally it runs 800-1000rpms. Consumer went to dealer regarding TSB, understanding that it was not a recall. Transmission is going bad because it's too close to engine. Dealer will fix the problem at consumer's cost.
Consumer received a recall print out from repairs shop concerning throttle cable; contacted mfr. And informed that vehicle was not part of recall; consumer is reporting this information to nhtsaand hoping NHTSA can assist ths matter or give addtional infor's. ( NHTSA recall # 97 v 225 000).
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control › Cables
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with the traction control option. The throttle cables were damaged during vehicle assembly leading to fraying or separation of the throttle cable.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the throttle cable with a revised design that is less susceptible to bending or kinking during installation.
Acceleration complaints in other Mystique years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 1995 Mercury Mystique?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 1995 Mercury Mystique, 6% of the model year's 335 complaints. The component named most often is cables (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Mercury Mystique acceleration problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 97V-225 (cables, Dec 8, 1997). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1995 Mercury Mystique acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 46,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.