1997 Mercury Mystique problems & reliability
71 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Mercury Mystique, alongside 2 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
2 complaints report injuries (3 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling → | 13 | 18% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic → | 11 | 15% |
| Exterior Lighting | 9 | 13% |
| Power Train | 9 | 13% |
| Visibility | 8 | 11% |
| Electrical System | 7 | 10% |
| Suspension | 5 | 7% |
| Seats | 4 | 6% |
| Steering | 4 | 6% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 6% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 mercury mystique. The contact stated that he noticed a leak under the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where he was informed that the pressure conscious regulating valve on the rear driver side would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact…”
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · filed Jul 20, 2012
“My 97 mercury mystique has a bad brake fluid leak from a part on the brake line (pressure conscious release valve) that was recalled #06e022000. Fluid must be added every few days when the brake light comes on. Ford tells me there is no recall info for my car and won't do anything. They could not say if any recall…”
Service Brakes · filed Jun 28, 2012
“The vehicle is not shifting into the proper gears. It just started happening one day. It has to be in drive 2 at the start of driving and when it gets to a certain point it must be shifted into drive. This occurs everytime I drive. Nothing has been done as of yet to repair the problem. *tr”
Power Train · filed Feb 2, 2009
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- INCORRECT GEAR INDICATION
Recall Query RQ02006 · opened Feb 26, 2002 · closed Sep 12, 2002 · led to recall 98V233000
- BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS
Engineering Analysis EA01001 · opened Jan 5, 2001 · closed Jul 31, 2001 · led to recall 01V230000
- BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS
Preliminary Evaluation PE00023 · opened Jun 14, 2000 · closed Jan 5, 2001
- VARIOUS INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL ISSUES
Recall Query RQ99019 · opened Sep 15, 1999 · closed Mar 7, 2001 · led to recall 99V243000
Technical service bulletins
188 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1997 Mercury Mystique. The 10 most recent:
General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures. *tt
042107 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 13, 2004
General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures. *tt
04217 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 1, 2004
Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illuminated with diagnostic trouble code(s) p0420 and/or p0430. *tt
041516 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 9, 2004
Malfunction indicator lamp illuminated with diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p0442, p0455, p0456, p0457 or p1442 or a check fuel cap lamp illuminated with dtc p0457 for the evaporative emission system. *tt
03203 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 13, 2003
Remote keyless entry (rke) - service tips. *tt
03181 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 15, 2003
New transmission cooler flusher - service tips. 2003 escort and super duty f series included. *tt
03148 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 21, 2003
Inoperative shift interlock solenoid or repeat instrument interface module failure. *tt
16880 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 1, 2003
Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illumination with diagnostic trouble codes p0442, p0455, p0456, p0457, p1442 or check fuel cap lamp illuminated with diagnostic trouble code p0457. *tt
0398 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 12, 2003
Climate control a/c service tech tips. *eh
02208 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 14, 2002
Replacement speaker installation tips. *tt
022001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 1, 2002
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 1997 Mercury Mystique has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1997 Mercury Mystique?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.