MERCURY MYSTIQUE · model year

1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE

169 NHTSA complaints, 16 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1999MERCURYMYSTIQUE carries 169 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 16 crashes, 2 fires, 15 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1999 MYSTIQUE is structure with 23 filings, followed by unknown or other (19) and service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (8). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 22 investigation files overlapping the 1999 MYSTIQUE. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

169
Complaints
16
Crashes
2
Fires
15
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

169 filings

Crashes Reported

16 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STRUCTURE23
UNKNOWN OR OTHER19
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP8
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM7
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR7
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING5
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH4
STRUCTURE:BODY3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM3
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM3

Recent Complaints

20121008STRUCTURE

I WAS DRIVING ALONG WHEN I COULD SMELL MY CAR GETTING HOT, SO I PULLED OVER AND SURE ENOUGH IT WAS OVERHEATING, BUT DID NOT SHOW INSIDE ON THE DASHBOARD, SO I HAD IT CHECKED AND THE PLASTIC HOUSING AROUND THE THERMOSTAT WAS CRACKED IN 3 PLACES, SO I SAY FIX IT ,THEY SAID IT WOULD BE 450.00, OK NO PROBLEM, THEN THEY CALLED BACK AND SAID THAT THE HOUSING WAS WELDED TO THE MANIFOLD AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE ALL FOR 1200.00 AND THAT THE HOUSING WASN'T MADE OF PLASTIC ANYMORE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AND FIXED FOR FREE. *TR

Mileage: 125,000

20121008ENGINE

I WAS DRIVING ALONG WHEN I COULD SMELL MY CAR GETTING HOT, SO I PULLED OVER AND SURE ENOUGH IT WAS OVERHEATING, BUT DID NOT SHOW INSIDE ON THE DASHBOARD, SO I HAD IT CHECKED AND THE PLASTIC HOUSING AROUND THE THERMOSTAT WAS CRACKED IN 3 PLACES, SO I SAY FIX IT ,THEY SAID IT WOULD BE 450.00, OK NO PROBLEM, THEN THEY CALLED BACK AND SAID THAT THE HOUSING WAS WELDED TO THE MANIFOLD AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE ALL FOR 1200.00 AND THAT THE HOUSING WASN'T MADE OF PLASTIC ANYMORE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AND FIXED FOR FREE. *TR

Mileage: 125,000

20110317EQUIPMENT

S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM REQUESTING THE RECALL AND REPLACEMENT OF FACULTY FLOOR MATS DUE TO SAFETY REASONS ON HIS 1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE CLIPS THAT HELD THE FLOOR MATS IN PLACE BROKE DUE TO NORMAL WEAR.

20091029STRUCTURE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANELS SURFACE BEGAN DEVELOPED CRACKS AND WARPS. A PLASTIC PIECE FROM THE PANEL, THAT WAS 5 INCHES IN HEIGHT BLOCKS THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT COMMENTED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE FORD CONTOUR DASHBOARD DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

Mileage: 80,000

20090117FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE, SECOND OWNER, PURCHASED IS 2005. THE GAS LINE FREEZES WHEN THE TEMPERATURE REACHES BELOW 20 DEGREES. THE TANK IS HALF FULL, TREATED FOR WINTER WEATHER AND IT STILL FREEZES. THIS IS NOT NORMAL: I'VE OWNED 2 OTHER VEHICLES (FORD TEMPO/DODGE STRATUS) NEVER HAPPENED. I'VE MISSED WORK DUE TO THIS GAS LINE FREEZE AND AM THE ONLY RESIDENT IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD THAT IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. IT HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURE DEFECT OR THE GAS TANK IS NOT PROTECTED. THIS IS THE SECOND WINTER SEASON THIS HAS HAPPENED. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

20090102FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY HUSBAND AND I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC FROM AN APPOINTMENT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTS SMOKING WITHIN A QUICK SECOND THE FRONT LEFT SIDE BURST INTO FLAMES, ELECTRICAL WINDOWS WOULDN'T WORK AND THE BRAKES FAILED, THE WE HAD TO RIDE TRAFFIC UNTIL WE COULD MOVE OVER TO THE CURVE AT THIS TIME THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD TO BE USED IN ORDER TO STOP THE CAR AND I HAD TO MOVE MYSELF OUT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. *TR

20090102FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

MY HUSBAND AND I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC FROM AN APPOINTMENT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTS SMOKING WITHIN A QUICK SECOND THE FRONT LEFT SIDE BURST INTO FLAMES, ELECTRICAL WINDOWS WOULDN'T WORK AND THE BRAKES FAILED, THE WE HAD TO RIDE TRAFFIC UNTIL WE COULD MOVE OVER TO THE CURVE AT THIS TIME THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD TO BE USED IN ORDER TO STOP THE CAR AND I HAD TO MOVE MYSELF OUT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. *TR

20080716SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE DRIVEWAY AT 2 MPH, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. SHE HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. SHE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH. SHE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINE AND CHASSIS WERE EXCESSIVELY RUSTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 206,000. UPDATED 09/10/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/12/08. *JB

Mileage: 206,000

20080620UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE DASHBOARD IS CURLING UP. CONSUMER STATES THAT FORD'S RECALL TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM HAS EXPIRED AND THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *NJ

20080620STRUCTURE

1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE DASHBOARD IS CURLING UP. CONSUMER STATES THAT FORD'S RECALL TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM HAS EXPIRED AND THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *NJ

20080609EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. THE CONTACT NOTICED MOISTURE IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT DRIPPED WATER INTO THE TRUNK WHEN IT WAS OPENED. SHE NOTICED THAT THE MOISTURE WAS ALWAYS PRESENT, ESPECIALLY AFTER IT RAINED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 51,504 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,246. UPDATED 07/07/08. *LJ THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS INOPERABLE, THE TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED. UPDATED

Mileage: 48,246

20080609EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. THE CONTACT NOTICED MOISTURE IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT DRIPPED WATER INTO THE TRUNK WHEN IT WAS OPENED. SHE NOTICED THAT THE MOISTURE WAS ALWAYS PRESENT, ESPECIALLY AFTER IT RAINED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 51,504 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,246. UPDATED 07/07/08. *LJ THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS INOPERABLE, THE TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED. UPDATED

Mileage: 48,246

20080609ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. THE CONTACT NOTICED MOISTURE IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT DRIPPED WATER INTO THE TRUNK WHEN IT WAS OPENED. SHE NOTICED THAT THE MOISTURE WAS ALWAYS PRESENT, ESPECIALLY AFTER IT RAINED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 51,504 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,246. UPDATED 07/07/08. *LJ THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS INOPERABLE, THE TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED. UPDATED

Mileage: 48,246

20080609SEAT BELTS:FRONT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. THE CONTACT NOTICED MOISTURE IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT DRIPPED WATER INTO THE TRUNK WHEN IT WAS OPENED. SHE NOTICED THAT THE MOISTURE WAS ALWAYS PRESENT, ESPECIALLY AFTER IT RAINED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 51,504 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,246. UPDATED 07/07/08. *LJ THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS INOPERABLE, THE TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED. UPDATED

Mileage: 48,246

20080128UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DASH STARTED PEELING FROM RIGHT CORNER AND NOW HAS PEELED AWAY FROM FRONT OF DASH AREA ALL THE WAY ACROSS. *CN

Mileage: 85,000

20070727STRUCTURE

MY 1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUES DASH BOARD HAS COMPLETELY WARPED. IT HAS RENDERED THE DEFROSTER USELESS. I WAS NOT INFORMED OF ANY RECALL FOR THE DEFECT. I NOW UNDERSTAND THAT THE LINCOLN/MERCURY COMPANY DID ACKNOWLEDGE A DEFECT IN THE DASHBOARDS. WHAT REMEDY CAN I EXPECT ? *TR

Mileage: 50,000

20070727VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

MY 1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUES DASH BOARD HAS COMPLETELY WARPED. IT HAS RENDERED THE DEFROSTER USELESS. I WAS NOT INFORMED OF ANY RECALL FOR THE DEFECT. I NOW UNDERSTAND THAT THE LINCOLN/MERCURY COMPANY DID ACKNOWLEDGE A DEFECT IN THE DASHBOARDS. WHAT REMEDY CAN I EXPECT ? *TR

Mileage: 50,000

20070727SUSPENSION

TL*THE 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. *KB THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED IN THE VEHICLE. UPDATED

Mileage: 50,000

20070727ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL*THE 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. *KB THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED IN THE VEHICLE. UPDATED

Mileage: 50,000

20070424FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

I HAD A STRAP THAT HAD RUSTED UNDERNEATH MY CAR. A 1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE 2.0, SO I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC. HE INDICATED THAT MY GAS TANK STRAP RUSTED THROUGH AND THAT THE OTHER ONE WAS ABOUT TO FAIL AS WELL. HE TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A DEFINITE HAZARD AND COULD HAVE PROVED TO BE DANGEROUS IF I DID NOT TAKE CARE OF IT. HE ALSO SAID THAT THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Compare 1999MERCURYMYSTIQUE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE have?
The 1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE has 169 NHTSA complaints, 16 crashes, 2 fires, 15 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE?
The most-complained component for the 1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE is STRUCTURE with 23 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP.
Is the 1999 MERCURY MYSTIQUE safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.