1996 Mercury Mystique problems
Owners have filed 303 complaints about the 1996 Mercury Mystique with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 19.5% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of engine and engine cooling at 16.8%.
Complaints303
Crashes19
Fires14
Injuries22
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 19.5% · 59
Engine and engine cooling 16.8% · 51
Power train 10.9% · 33
Visibility 6.9% · 21
Service brakes, hydraulic 6.6% · 20
Exterior lighting 6.3% · 19
Suspension 5.3% · 16
Fuel system, gasoline 4.6% · 14
Severity
Of those complaints, 19 describe a crash, 14 describe a fire and 22 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 5 model years of the Mercury Mystique in this data, 1996 ranks 3rd by complaint volume — 1995 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 9 in the last three years against 24 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 93,500 miles.
In owners' own words
Fire occured while vehicle was parked. Would like someone to investigate. Ford says they would not investigate and would not compensate for replacement of vehicle. Insurance will only cover market value which does not replace my car. Please advise as far as legal recourse. Dealership says they cannot do anything either. In the mean time I cannot purchase a similar vehicle for the blue book value. Electrical system
Ea 01 001/blower switch/risistor or wiring harness: blower experience a wiring harness melt down; manufacturer was not notified at this time. Feel free to provide any further details on this matter. *Ak consumer states blower motor inoperable, motor and fuse were replaced, nad then motor went out again, consumer found problem to be a plug that was going into the fuse box, that was melted. Electrical system
Wiring harness was burning up. Dealer notified, and informed that it was not covered under a recall. *Ak consumer states that the wiring harness in the head liner is totally burned up, also under the dashboard there are melted wires causing the power mirrors, radio, clock, and interior lights to be inoperable, dealer stated that both wiring harnesses have to be replaced. *Slc Electrical system
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…