Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Mercury Mystique owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 1998 Mercury Mystique. The contact took her vehicle to a mechanic because the blower motor resistor failed. The mechanic stated that her fuse box melted, which caused the blower motor to fail. She called the manufacturer and a representative stated that her VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 01V230000 (electrical system), although the failures were identical. The contact would be responsible for the repair costs. She is in the process of having the vehicle repaired. The failure and current mileages were 114,708.
Dt: while driving down the road, I noticed smoke coming out of the dash. I pull over to the side of the road, opened the hood and the first thing I saw was fire coming from behind the glove compartment. The car caught fire and burned just five after I pulled over. No warning lights, looked at temp gauge and everything was fine before the fire. Called 911 at 5:44 pm, fire dept came and put out the fire. This was on the interstate.
Vehicle instrument panel went hay-wire, car starting hesitating, and slamming from gear to gear. Took to a service center that advised me that it had a bad sensor. Paid close to $800.00 to have replaced. Car started with more electrical issues within the next couple of days. (ie: lights would not go on, etc) took back to service center that then advised that the wiring harness on the car was malfunctioning and causes the electrical system to short circuit. The wiring harness would have to be replaced and wiring on car would have to be redone costing close to $3000.00. They also advised that this car is not safe to drive, that it would be just a matter of time before this car would catch fire. Did not have $$ to make repair, continued to drive car having no other option with a baby, and young child that need to be taken to school, etc. …
Tl contact owns a 1998 Mercury Mystique. While driving various speeds, the contact noticed that the fuel gauge and speedometer displayed inaccurate readings. In addition, the warning lights on the instrument control panel flicker on and off sporadically. The contact also stated that he felt excessive heat underneath the instrument panel. A local mechanic stated that the electrical system was defective and they are currently in the process of repairing the vehicle. The manufacturer did not provide any assistance. The contact has pictures of the failed component. The failure mileage was 43,000 and current mileage was 48,000.
Dt: the contact was having electrical problems. She said the vehicle would not start. The vehicle would jump while she was driving. She was going about 40 MPH. She had it looked at, and was told it was in the wiring. She said when the mechanic looked at the vehicle the windshield wipers came on by themselves. A mechanic told her the wires were bad, and they needed to be replaced. She was told this by two different mechanics. She found out about a recall 01V230000 on the wiring harness. Dealer told her the recall has expired. Manufacturer said this vehicle was not included in the recall.
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.
Ongoing problem with electrical shortages, causing vehicle to lose power. Vehicle has been to dealer's shop on four occasions, and problem continues to occur. Also a fire orignated under the hood. Feel free to provide further details.
While driving A/C motor stopped, consumer turned off the A/C switch. Then noticed smoke coming from under dash, consumer stopped, and vehicle caught on fire. Entire dashboard fell out on consumer .
I am the 2nd owner of my 1998 Mercury Mystique. I purchased the vehicle in 2004. It has a computer defect that gives a false reading for the check engine light. This car qualified for the nj lemon law because of this problem with its 1st owner. However, that owner was too kind to do anything about it. The previous owner gave me a file filled with service information from the date he purchased the vehicle, brand new in December 1997. Shortly after his purchase he had the vehicle back to the dealer for the check engine light. He had it back a couple more times for the same thing and they always fixed it. Obviously, they put a band-aid on a major defect. I noticed the light was on when I first purchased the vehicle. The former owner said he had it checked and was told not to pay attention to it. Well, since then I have been told at inspection that it has to be fixed every time. …
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. They had to replaced the fan motor unit and had to splice in a fan connector and wire into the rest of the sub-harness, because for said the sub-harness was obsolete and not available. While it functions, the check engine light has since illuminated for a cam shaft position sensor, which the consumer was informed it was related to the sub-harness. …
Related recalls
Electrical system
On certain my 1996-1998 passenger vehicles built at the kansas city, cuautitlan assembly plants or on my 1999 passenger vehcles built at the automotive alliance international assembly plants, the rough surface of the heater blower resistor's stainless steel blades can damage the copper surface of the wiring harness connector.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new heater blower resistor and a new wire jumper harness. Owner notification began August 29, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not…
NHTSA investigations
Blower switch/resistor or wiring harness
There is no summary currently available
Blower switch/resistor or wiring harness
There is no summary currently available
Electrical complaints in other Mystique years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1998 Mercury Mystique?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Mercury Mystique, 12% of the model year's 231 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › fuses and circuit breakers (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Mercury Mystique electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 01V-230 (electrical system, Jul 9, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Mercury Mystique electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 115,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 6 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.