Headlight complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Dt*: the contact stated the interior lights and tail lights do not work. This component has been replaced once and failed a second time. There is NHTSA recall, campaign 99V103000, regarding the headlight switch. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however, it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.
Both headlight lens assemblies have become cloudy/hazy, so the light emitted is greatly reduced, creating an unsafe driving condition. Replacement cost is $400 plus labor. I feel Ford should cover this, as the assemblies are obviously defective, and this is a safety issue.
Dt*: the contact stated while traveling various speeds, the overdrive activated on and off. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop, where a certified mechanic determined that either the inside or outside sensor of the automatic transmission was faulty. There was a NHTSA recall #98V233000, regarding the powertrain: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift. The manufacturer was contacted and determined that the vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. Also, the clock light on the insrument panel went permanently out. The rear brake light located on top of the rear window would illuminate in a distorted pattern. The rear brake lights was made up of 9 Mini lights, and 3 lights would light up while braking. On other occasions, 4 or 5 lights would illuminate. There was a NHTSA recall #99V103000 regarding exterior lighting: headlights: switch. …
Car had a recall associated with exterior lights when my parents owned it about five years ago. The parking lights stopped operating. Per suggestion of Ford took car to dealership and paid $85 for an evaluation. They indicated I had two open wires and the estimated repair cost would exceed $2,000 to replace the wiring harness.
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.
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. …
Head light switch over heated since the car was new. Gets uncomfortably warm to the touch. Blower speed switch over heated, melted internal plastic base so fan speed could only be set at top 2 speeds. Upon removal for repair found the power terminal had also over heated that the copper was discolored and the plastic insulation on mating connector had begun to melt and deform. ****dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis****739799.
Related recalls (2)
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.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The text and/or graphics for the vehicle headlamp aiming instructions provided in the owner guides are not sufficiently clear. This does not meet the requirements of FMVSS no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Remedy: Owner guides containing revised aiming instructions will be mailed to owners of these vehicles.
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…
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercury Mystique years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1996 (20), 1998 (19), 1997 (10) and 1995 (8) model years. Headlight complaints make up 11% of all complaints for the 1996.
Is there a recall for Mercury Mystique headlight problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 99V-103 (switch, May 5, 1999); 98V-028 (headlights, Feb 10, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mercury Mystique headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 99,000 miles; 29% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the headlights › switch (18 mentions), followed by the tail lights (13).
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.