NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 74 owner complaints for the 1997 Mercury Mystique. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (12) and engine and engine cooling (12). The EPA rates it 21–24 mpg combined.
FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1995-1997 FORD CONTOUR AND MERCURY MYSTIQUE VEHICLES. THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR COULD OVERHEAT CAUSING THE ATTACHED ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TO MELT.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“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 REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V075000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS) AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 93,000. UPDATED 8/23/12 *CN”
“DT: THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE BLOWER RESISTOR WAS FIXED WHICH WERE ON RECALL. ON 4-22-05 AND ON 5-06-05 WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR GAVE A TICKING NOISE. THEN THE CAR GAVE A PUFF OF BLUE AND BLACK SMOKE AND THE CAR STOPPED. AFTER THE MECHANIC LOOKED AT THE CAR, THE MECHANIC SAID THE ENGINE WAS GONE. THE CAR UNDERWENT REGULAR CHECK UPS AND OIL CHANGES. THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS THAT THE ENGINE WAS HAVING ANY PROBLEMS OR MALFUNCTIONS. THE ENGINE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE COST FOR REPLACING WAS MORE THAN THE CONSUMER CAN AFFORD. *TT”
“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 TO REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS. *NM”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mystique Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 30 | 24 | $2,700 | 370 |
| Mystique Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 23 | $2,800 | 386 |
| Mystique Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 28 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| Mystique Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
7 safety recalls as of Nov 6, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 74 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (12), engine and engine cooling (12), exterior lighting (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1997 Mercury Mystique at 21–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).