How many recalls does the 1997 Mercury Mystique have?

The 1997 Mercury Mystique has 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 1997 Mercury Mystique has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 1997 Mercury Mystique?

Of 100 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is engine and engine cooling.

1997 Mercury Mystique Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1997 Mercury Mystique has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,559,743 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 100 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 01V230000 2001-07-09 342,962 affected

Defect

ON CERTAIN MY 1996-1998 PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY, CUAUTITLAN ASSEMBLY PLANTS OR ON MY 1999 PASSENGER VEHCLES BUILT AT THE AUTOMOTIVE ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY PLANTS, THE ROUGH SURFACE OF THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR'S STAINLESS STEEL BLADES CAN DAMAGE THE COPPER SURFACE OF THE WIRING HARNESS…

Consequence

THE OPEN CIRCUIT COULD LEAD TO ELECTRICAL ARCING THAT COULD MELT THE CONNECTOR HOUSING MATERIAL CREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR AND A NEW WIRE JUMPER HARNESS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 29, 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 REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 00V075000 2000-03-09 436,200 affected

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). A PRESSURE CONSCIOUS REDUCING VALVE (PCRV) IN THE REAR BRAKES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CORROSION AND RESULT IN MALFUNCTION, WHEN OPERATED IN AREAS THAT USE SALT COMPOUNDS ON THE ROADWAY FOR DE-ICING OR DUST CONTROL.

Consequence

IF BOTH PCRV'S MALFUNCTION, VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED DURING BRAKING AS A RESULT OF THE REAR WHEELS LOCKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL IMPROVED PCRV'S IN THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS RECALL WAS EXPANDED IN SEPTEMBER 2000 TO INCLUDE 1999 AND 2000 FORD CONTOUR, MERCURY MYSTIQUE AND COUGAR VEHICLES.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 99V103000 1999-05-05 605,581 affected

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TERMINALS AT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN EXPERIENCE HEAT DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF OVERHEATING.

Consequence

THE DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN DISTORTION OF THE TERMINAL CAUSING AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION, PARKING LAMP, AND TAIL LAMP CIRCUITS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLAMP SWITCH WIRING CONNECTOR CONTAINING BRONZE TERMINALS AND AN INSPECTION, AND REPLACEMENT IF NECESSARY, OF THE HEADLAMP SWITCH.

POWER TRAIN 98V233000 1998-09-18 175,000 affected

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FLOOR SHIFT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL CAN BE DAMAGED IF SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN INTERIOR CLEANING PRODUCTS. THE GEAR POSITION INDICATOR CAN DETERIORATE AND NOT CORRECTLY INDICATE THE ACTUAL GEAR POSITION.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INCORRECT GEAR SELECTION.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL.

Complaints by component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

SEATS

SUSPENSION

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

Total complaints100

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“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…”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · reported 2012-06-01

“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…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2012-06-01

“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…”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS · reported 2012-01-13

“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:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · reported 2008-09-01

“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…”

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS · reported 2007-02-15

“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…”

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH · reported 2006-10-01

“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…”

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS · reported 2006-10-01

“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…”

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · reported 2006-10-01