Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The rear wheels are locking when the driver is slowing down to stop. This occurs when the weather is cold. The owner was informed by a mechanic that the rear brake assembly was completely rusted. The owner contacted the manufacturer, but received no assistance. There was a bad noise when the vehicle was started and the vehicle would hesitate when trying to increase in speed along with hard shifting. Recall campaign # 00V075000.
In March of 2002 the dash starting coming unglued and rolling up, which caused my defogger to pop out and not defog my windshield correctly. The car also stalls out when taking off from a starting position or changing to passing gear. The engine has to then be shut off and restarted for it to clear up. This will last about 30 minutes before it happens again.
My check engine light came on and the diagnostic code says that the catalytic converter was defective, even though it is supposed to be covered by an 8 year 80,000 mile warranty I have been stone walled by earnhardt Ford in arizona in getting it fixed. I have already had to replace 4 o2 sensors at my expense in the last 6 months. When my engine light came on the first time I took the car into my mechanic who said the code was for the catalytic converter and that it would be covered by my warranty so I should contact a Ford dealer. I called a Ford dealer and they said call a Mercury dealer, when I called the Mercury dealer they said the light had to be on or they wouldn't fix the problem. …
We purchased this vehicle in 2001. We were told that an elderly woman got the accelerator stuck and she ran into a tree. Thus, they put a brand new engine in the vehicle. So, we got this great new car with only 1,000 miles on the new engine. We have since replaced the idler pulley three times and the tension pulley once. Ford says that they knew that this is a continual problem with these cars once the head has been removed. I can't believe they would risk stranding people instead of taking responsibility for fixing their problem. For example: Ford had my car for 2 weeks while I was on vacation. They fixed the idler pulley, the serpentine belt and cover, and the oil pump. That same day I got my car back I was driving home and not even 12 miles from town the car broke down again and it was the exact same problem they had my car in the repair shop for 2 weeks. …
My problem is that my car stalls when driven at any speed, whether I am stopped, turning or just driving. I have brought this car to the dealership to get fixed and they don't know what this is. This was accident related and my insurance said if it isn't accident related then I am responsible for the bill that the dealer will charge for looking at the car. Now this started happening when my car was hit in the front at over 40+ miles/hr. Am I protected by any law that will allow me to get this car fixed at no cost to me? I am driving a very dangerous car right now and almost got killed last week when I was turning off a highway and the car stalled, a rig was coming right towards me and at last second I got out of the way. This is very scary and don't know what to do for help! …
Fan stopped working on 1998 Mercury Mystique, no heat in car. Most likly cause is the resistor on the heater blower moter. This should be covered on Ford recalls 01s22 or 01m07, but Ford will not fix it. Ford did replace this part under recall 99m07 on 01/17/2001, this is an on going issue and all mystiques should be cover under 01m07.
Apparently Ford/merc in their ultimate wisdom placed the catalytiv converter in the exhaust manifold. The mechanic indicated that they all seem to plug up around 140,000 to 170,000 km. The labour alone is over $600.00 plus the parts are very expensive and both the front and rear need to be replaced or the car will start to lose power. So I have a vehicle that up until now ran well and had good gas milage. Now it is worth $2500.00 dollars on a trade in but the repairs are $ 2600.00 so the car is actually a total right off. Everything else works. Great Ford you have definitely lost a customer for life!
Dt: the wiring harness and the blower resistor was fixed which were on recall. On 4-22-05 and on 5-06-05 while the car was being driven on the highway, the car gave a ticking noise. Then the car gave a puff of blue and black smoke and the car stopped. After the mechanic looked at the car, the mechanic said the engine was gone. The car underwent regular check ups and oil changes. There were no indications that the engine was having any problems or malfunctions. The engine has not been repaired. The cost for replacing was more than the consumer can afford.
Related recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling
Vehicle description: 1995 passenger vehicles equipped with the 2.0l and 2.5l engines, and 1996 vehicles equipped with 2.5l engines. Tightening of the engine cooling fan motor bearings, up to and including motor stall, can result in increased motor torque and higher than normal motor current and accompanying high motor…
Remedy: Dealers will install a positive temperature coefficient device in-line with each fan motor. Ford will also extend the warranty on the engine cooling fan assembly to a total of 8 years of service or 100,000 miles from…
NHTSA investigations
Engine cooling fan fires
Odi opened this investigation on August 18, 1999, based on four reports of fire involving the engine cooling fan.the reports allege the electronic cooling fan caught fire with resultant damage to the fan and wire harness and/or the harness connector.in its pe response, Ford provided information relevant to 46 additional alleged fire incidents and 47 alleged failures of the cooling fan involving thermal damage to the…
Engine cooling fan fires
There is no summary currently available
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercury Mystique years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (93), 1996 (41), 1998 (34), 1999 (16) and 1997 (13) model years. Engine complaints make up 28% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Mercury Mystique engine problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 00V-367 (engine and engine cooling, Nov 6, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mercury Mystique engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles; 17% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine › gasoline (58 mentions), followed by the engine (48).
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.