1995 Mercury Mystique Engine Problems

Which parts fail

• Engine
  24
• Cooling system › Fan
  21
• Engine › Gasoline
  19
• Cooling system
  15
• Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
  5
• Exhaust system
  3

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  00%
• 25k–50k
  111%
• 50k–75k
  222%
• 75k–100k
  222%
• 100k–150k
  333%
• 150k+
  111%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Mercury Mystique owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

While the driver of the 1995 Mercury Mystique was operating the vehicle, I was in the passengers seat. The car began losing power and the driver kept the car going. At this point a driver pulled up along side the car and yelled "your car is on fire". The driver of the Mystique then pulled to the shoulder and the car was engulfed in flames on the passenger side. I immediately exited the car while hearing a woman scream "it's going to explode". I suffered 2nd degree burns on my face,right ear, right arm, right leg and isolated 3rd degree on my right knuckles. I attempted to contact an attorney but he eventually quit the case. I don't think that I should have to pay medical bills from this fire. The driver was unhurt but his car was burnt to a hunk of black metal.

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle temperature gage elevated while driving at normal highway speeds and the engine suddenly shut down. The vehicle had an odor of something burning like plastic. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop. The independent mechanic discovered exposed wires leading to the fan and engine. The radiator was flushed, engine performance enhancer was added, spark plugs were replaced, but the exposed wiring was not repaired. The independent mechanic discovered a recall concerning the fan wiring. The vehicle remained parked for two weeks before it was taken to a local service dealer. The dealer began working on obtaining authorization for the recall remedy, but the manufacturer would not authorize the recall remedy because of the age of the vehicle. The contact is the second owner of the vehicle, but the original owner did not receive a recall letter. …

At around 50,000 miles we noticed the housing that holds the driver\\'s side airbag coming loose. We received a couple of recall notices on other things so when we took it in to get the recalls done I asked the technician at sunflower Lincoln/Mercury if he could check out the problem with the airbag housing and possibly fix it for us. He called us back stating that the bolts had sheered off from the inside of the housing and that they couldn\\'t fix it and that we would have to pay between $300-$500 dollars out of our own pocket to get it fixed. We then called Lincoln/Mercury headquarters and were told that \\"the housing is just like a tire and that over time it wears out and that we would be responsible for any repair costs to it\\". …

While driving and without warning vehicle caught on fire under the hood. Dealership was notified, vehicle was serviced. However, vehicle was continued to be used, miles later vehicle became inoperable. The engine cooling fan motor and wire harness caught on fire, dealer replaced the engine cooling fan assembly and main fuse, dealer also repaired the burnt wiring, 2 years later, consumer received recalls 00V367, 99m03, 99m06, 00s44/00m13 and 00s44, consumer has not been reimbursed for any of the repairs. Dealer replaced right rear weather stripping and reinstalled mold around the handle due to the weather strip bowing. Tape player would not eject. Vehicle was hard to steer, especially when raining, dealer could not duplicate problem. Front brake pads were replaced and rotors were machined due to vibration when braking. …

Vehicle caught on fire in same way as mentioned in NHTSA recall 00-v-367-000/ manufacturer's recall 00s44. Consumer stopped to have timing belt repairs estimated. While walking away from vehicle consumer heard chirping, and smoke was coming from vehicle. Consumer's hand was burned while reaching to unplug power plug. Consumer contacted manufacturer about a recall not received. Manufacturer would not offer remedy because vehicle was over 100,000 miles for extended warranty. However, at time when recall was sent out vehicle had between 96,000-98,000 miles. Manufacturer did admit that recall notice might have gone to another address, but they still will not cover it.

Tl contact owns a 1995 Mercury Mystique. While inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the cooling system was below level and he added antifreeze. Several days later, he noticed that all of the antifreeze leaked out and he filled it back up. He checked the cooling system again a week later and the failure recurred. The heating system was also inoperative. The dealer stated that the vehicle was experiencing the same failure as mentioned in NHTSA campaign id number 00V367000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle has not been repaired. The purchase date was unknown. The failure mileage was 38,000 and current mileage was 38,800.

Dt*: the contact stated the engine overheated and idled at an elevated level while parked. There is a NHTSA recall, # 00V367000, regarding the engine. The vehicle was seen by an authorized dealer. The service department suggested replacing the wiring harness that supports the electrical currents of the engine. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.

1995 Mercury Mystique check engine light related to the 332 service code started coming on randomly around 51K , and now illuminates after vehicle has been driven approximately 1 mile. Car now has 83K but I never received a recall notice regarding this condition. This vehicle's inspection sticker has expired and cannot be inspected in this condition. Pressure feedback sensor, ECU and evr have all been replaced to no avail.

This, I believe, is manuafacturer's defect that I have tried work with the company and the billy young Mercury dealership on this matter. But the dealership and myself have been meet with confusion on the Mercury staff at [phone] and what I see as apparent lack of concern over a possible fire hazard.

The engine wire insulation melted which caused the electrical system to fail. Ph. While driving, the vehicle abruptly shut down because the electrical system failed, which was caused by a wiring harness problem. The consumer believed the problem was related to the recall.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Engine complaints in other Mystique years