Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Mercury Mystique owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My complaint involves a 1996 Mercury Mystique involving a failure of all interior lighting, side mirror adjustment, radio and clock related to a blown fuse #34 in the auxlillary fuse box. The cause was the overhead map light assembly which had overheated and the plastic retaining the 10w bulb holder melted allowing the metal bulb holder to slide in the molten plastic until it just barely contacted a negative bus in the assembly and blowing the fuse.it was a difficult problem to diagnose being a short was not present until the circuit was fused and then heat from the bulb would cause the metal holder to expand and short out blowing the fuse.I feel it appropriate to report this problem as I feel if the contacts had not shorted and blown the fuse and considering it became hot enough to melt the plastic is a potential fire hazard and I don't feel the assembly was engineered properly to …
Tl contact owns a 1996 Mercury Mystique. The parking lights on the front and rear of the vehicle along with the instrument panel lights were inoperative. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 99V103000 (exterior lighting:headlights:switch). The current and failure mileages were 138,552.
Dt: the contact states there is a NHTSA recall campaign 99V103000 concerning the exterior lighting.: headlights. This vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall, but it is not included in the recall due to VIN. No repairs have been made due to the expense. Updated 01/19/06.
Headlight lenses developed a cloudy white discoloration that reduced the lights illumination. The headlight lenses were replaced at 36,000. Now that the vehicle has 64000 miles the problem has recurred.
My heater control knob for high,med,low only work in the low position. My rear brake light had a leak,allowing water to fill up and blow my light bulbs.there is a ticking noise in my dash as if my turn signals is running, but no flash on the indicators. When I signal to take turns it works fine but when not turning still makes clicking noise. Transmission went out in October 2000, I heard this is a common problem in my vehical.. Thank you for your time.
When the consumer engaged the right turn signal, several seconds later smoke starting streaming out of the steering column through the rubber gasket surrounding the directional signal actuator arm, the dealer found that the multi-function switch was defective and it was replaced, the consumer is concerned that the part does not contain a change in design which would prevent this from occuring again.
Due to recall notice #99v1030000 consumer took vehicle for appointment, but notice that the vehicle remained parked in the same location sense delivery. However, the mechanic informed owner that the repair would take 20 to 45 min. The owner took the vehicle home & checked under hood and notice no repair had been done. Owner not satisfied.
Switch is so poorly made. The contacts(where it plugs into the wire harness) don't make good contact and as a result the switch gets hot and melts the plastic. It was replaced by the factory during a recall 8/06/99 and has failed again. The defective parts are still being used!
While it was raining driver's head lamp got soaked with rain, and caused low beam light to go out, which May cause visual difficulties. Also, passenger's side was soaked. But, bulb did no go out. Dealer said it was a common problem.
While driving interior lights stay on for 4 days. Parked vehicle for the weekend, and now vehicle is driving as normal. Been to dealer. Dealer cannot determine the problem. Please provide further information.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The terminals at the headlight switch and wiring harness connector can experience heat damage as a result of overheating.
Remedy: Dealers will install a headlamp switch wiring connector containing bronze terminals and an inspection, and replacement if necessary, of the headlamp switch.
NHTSA investigations
Headlight switch
Odi opened the preliminary evaluation on December 3, 1989 based on five consumer complaints, all of which mentioned concerns centered on the dashboard-mounted headlight switch.these concerns included an allegation of the switch catching fire, an allegation of headlight loss, and three allegations of instrument panel and tail light outages.three of the reports specifically identified the headlight switch and its…
Headlight complaints in other Mystique years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 1996 Mercury Mystique?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the lights of the 1996 Mercury Mystique, 11% of the model year's 185 complaints. The component named most often is headlights › switch (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Mercury Mystique headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 99V-103 (switch, May 5, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1996 Mercury Mystique headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 108,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to lights 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.