NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 137 owner complaints for the 1999 Mercury Mystique. Most complaints involve structure (29) and service brakes, hydraulic (20). The EPA rates it 20–25 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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“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”
“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”
“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”
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 | 31 | 25 | $2,550 | 355 |
| Mystique Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,800 | 386 |
| Mystique Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Mystique Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| 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 |
4 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 137 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (29), service brakes, hydraulic (20), visibility (17). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1999 Mercury Mystique at 20–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).