Suspension complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl contact owns a 1999 Mercury Mystique. The contact heard a loud grinding noise coming from the front end of the vehicle and felt a vibration while idling. The mechanic stated that the engine mounts needed to be changed. The contact stated that the vehicle would jerk to the right when stopping and jerked to the left when he accelerated. As of July 27, 2007, the vehicle has not been repaired. The current mileage was 57,000 and failure mileage was 50,000. Updated 02-01-08. The consumer has since traded in the vehicle. Updated
While driving 55 MPH, a loud noise was heard coming from the front. Theconsumer was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer for an inspection. The mechanic replaced the driver side front coil spring because it was cracked. Please fill in additional information.
Complaints: 1.didn't receive recall notice (01s23) until 2 yrs after it was issued. 2.never received notice of a "service campaign" (01i013000) to replace springs if found to be corroded or break. 3.recall did not address issue of recall or problem.(corrisive,rusted springs).recall did instruct dealer/repairer to install spring brackets (completed satisfactorly). Comparison: batteries dead in flashlight,owner replaces bulb. The springs were causing the problem. 4.vehicle now has loud thumps that weren't there before the "spring brackets" were installed. 5.regional recalls. Notes: car has been inspected by a cerified mechanic and found not to have defective cv joints or wheel bearings, no under carriage parts loose. Car is scheduled for inspection by a Ford dealership on 11/07/03. Car previously operated in new england state (3 yrs).
While driving, the consumer heard a noise, and proceeded to pull off the road to investigate the noise. Upon existing the vehicle, the consumer noticed that the driver's side front suspension collapsed. The vehicle was towed to a dealership, who indicated that driver's side coil spring broke. Recall# 01V255000.
1996 Mercury Mystique(68,000). Ford motor company had what they referred to as a "program", evidently for a problem with the front springs.the program was basically a free inspection. My car was inspected in 2002 while it was in for another recall, at which time it was given a passing grade.the program expired @ 150,000 or dec. Of 2004 whichever came first.in February 2005 a 6" chunck of the pass. Side spring snapped off, luckily on a residential street. I heard the noise and was able to retrieve the piece from the street.on close inspection the piece did not break due to corrosion.I believe it was due to poor material quality, my concern is that this could cause tire failure at higher rates of speed resulting in possible fataliies. Ford would not replace the spring.
For along time there has been bearing changes. I gave my car to a tenant and she wanted it to get inspected, but she needed both front spring coils to be replaced. And for a long time the air conditioning (A/C) bearings have been bad. It is going to cost her much money. Can a claim be made because of a recall?
Both rear springs on the 1995 Mercury Mystique broke in several places. Front springs are recalled as defective. Rear coil springs are the same part number and manufacture as the front. How can one be recalled and not the other when they are the same item and manufacture. This is very irresponsible on the part of Mercury.
In feb 1999 we received a recall notice for failure of the front springs on this vehicle since it originally had been sold in a snow/cold state. The front springs have not failed. However there was noise and poor handling in the rear of the car. Investigation by a Ford dealer in tucson did not disclose any failure of springs. The dealer recomended replacement of rear struts. This work was authorized at an independent repair facility (ase certified mechanic) upon dissassembly of the strut unit both rear springs werre found to be broken near the top. The failure was attributed to corrosion. I requested a meeting with a Ford motor co representative to show the failed springs and rquest reimbursement for the parts. Met with paul berradi. He refused to acknowledge there was a problem although he did write down and document the failure. …
Related recalls (1)
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil springs
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles built at the kansas city assembly plant and originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island,…
Remedy: Dealers will install spring catcher brackets. Owner notification began October 23, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercury Mystique years have suspension problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1998 (49), 1995 (36), 1996 (15), 1999 (6) and 1997 (5) model years. Suspension complaints make up 21% of all complaints for the 1998.
Is there a recall for Mercury Mystique suspension problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 01V-255 (coil springs, Aug 8, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mercury Mystique suspension problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 91,000 miles; 11% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front › springs › coil springs (47 mentions), followed by the rear (11).
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.