Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Consumer stated vehicle jumped out of gear, even when slamming on the brakes, vehicle would not stop. This resulted in several accidents. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer/mechanic, and was told that they could not resolve the problem.
Transmission will not down shift had a new transmission put in the car and it still does the same thing. No one seems to know why? Could you please help me I have spent to much money now. 1995 Mercury Mystique.
Since we have purchased this car its been nothing but problems. The first thing was the blower for the heater and air conditioner was making a loud rattling noise.then the brain for the transmission went out and would not allow the car to shift automatically. Next, the power steering pump leaked ,so that had to be repaired. Then , here comes a good one...the front left rotor and calipor went bad..now this is even better,two weeks ago on the 11th of January, the 2 rear coil springs broke without warning, almost causing my wife to loose control of the car. This also caused the rear brakes to seize up and warp the rotors and calipors. I informed Ford of the problem and they responded "thank you for letting us know of your problems, this will help us build better products in the future." we have a case id # 189341, this is the number Ford gave us. …
Problem with fan motor LED to our taking vehicle into dealer. Their inspection revealed severe deterioration to wiring harness insulation which service manager said might lead to a fire hazard. Ford area rep contacted and offered $1,500 payment toward $2,500 bill. This all took place yesterday, June 10, 1999. I did not authorize any replacement to be done pending further conversation with Ford and request that they replace defective wiring harness at no charge to me. Please also note that in June 1998, I completed and filed another vehicle owner's questionanaire, this time having to do with defective wiring relating to the ABS system. I received no response from that from dot or Ford. This problem, having to do with defective weatherproof covering on the 22 pin electrical connector that controls ABS and traction control circuits and causes inadvertent braking. …
The transmission just started slipping upon initial acceleration and the speedometer needle flipped over to zero and stuck. Took back to the dealer where I bought it used (weliever) who took it to wilcher Ford as an authorized Ford dealer. They initially said it was the transmission/vehicle speed sensor and replaced that. That did not cure the speedometer problem. So they are ordering a new speedometer cable. I will not know if this cures the transmission problem until vehicle is returned. But this failure seems similar to odi id 513344 in your recall list. Could you furnish more information to me about this case and/or check to see if my vehicle is listed as still outstanding on any recalls?
At around 38000 miles, the starter gear split in half, causing starter failure. The component was inspected by both an independent mechanic and a Ford service technician, and both agreed that the part failed because of a defect. After driving the vehicle about 2000 miles, apparently a piece of the broken starter entered the transmission housing and destroyed the clutch and ring gear, and punched a hole in the transmission housing. I believe this to be a safety issue because the technician told me that the problem was severe enough that it could have caused transmission or clutch parts to actually break off at road speed, possibly entering the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
This is the 2nd transmission to blow in this car! The first one went at 43,500. I reported this to you on 4/28/99 in your database! Three years later same month my 2nd one blew out and now I have to pay another 2,000 bucks for what clearly is a defective Ford transmission! Why has NHTSA not done anything about this! When it blew out I was going 55 miles an hour and I was almost rear-ended by an 18 wheeler! This has been a problem for years. NHTSA is good at authoring a recall on seatbelts and cup-holders but when it comes to a high priced part you do nothing as the consumer continues to get raped! Thanks alot NHTSA!
Caliviar Ford in chesapeake va. Refused to complete recall of engine cooling fan electronic fuse due to melted wiring harness. This fault was caused be a previous recal (campaine id number : 01i0090000) (visability: defrogger system:windshield:controls:wiring) causing the attached electrical connectors to melt. I just spent $2000.00 and replacet car with new motor because the motor blowed up due to another factory recall id# 00V367000 engine and engine cooling. I purchased this car with over 100,000 miles and this work was never performed and I did not receive the recal until after 100,000 miles.
Power seat fore/aft inop - can't adjust. Both front head restraint plastic innards have disintegrated - wobble around -can't adjust. Found cruise control inop after delivery - replaced. Drivers seatbelt buckle stop button gone - falls to floor. Water pump impeler exploded on freeway - left stranded. Battery/cable shorted &burned - caused loss of engine power / steering upon short. Has also affected performance since incedent- - poor milage and such.automatic trans. Switch failed on freeway caused sudden/erratic slowing of vehicle in traffic and loss of acceleration ability.
I first told the dealer of a small leak. They said it was nothing. I've had nothing but problems with this car and Ford refuses to address the problems. I know of many people who have had similar problems. I should not be paying $3,000 for a new transmission for a car that only has 43,594 miles on it. The government should do something about this ongoing problem. The consumer shouldn't be raped by manufacturers lack of interest in making vehicles that will last past 50,000 miles when they ask for tens of thousands up front for their product. Please help!!!!!!
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The floor shift automatic transmission control can be damaged if subjected to certain interior cleaning products. The gear position indicator can deteriorate and not correctly indicate the actual gear position.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the automatic transmission floor shift control.
NHTSA investigations
Incorrect gear indication
There is no summary currently available
Transmission complaints in other Mystique years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1995 Mercury Mystique?
NHTSA has 53 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1995 Mercury Mystique, 16% of the model year's 335 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (34 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Mercury Mystique transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 98V-233 (floor shift, Sep 18, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1995 Mercury Mystique transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 114,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.