NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 65 owner complaints for the 2000 Mercury Mystique. Most complaints involve structure (18) and visibility (11). The EPA rates it 21–25 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, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“DASH HAS PEELED BACK BY WINDSHIELD, DEFROSTER SECTION POPPED OUT, AS TIME PROGRESSES THE DASH KEEPS PEELING BACK/RAISING UP...EVENTUALLY, IT WILL BE TOO HIGH TO SEE OVER. (I AM SHORT STATURE). *TR”
“TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL, BUT IN ACTUALITY IT WAS A SAFETY BULLETIN ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO SAFETY RECALL ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE. AS SOON AS REACHING 70 MPH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STARTED RUMBLING AS IF SOMETHING WAS LOOSE. IF THE WEATHER WAS POOR THE VISIBILITY WAS DIMINISHED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HAD DONE THIS SINCE THE PURCHASE DATE. THE CONTACT HAD REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES THREE TIMES WITH EXPENSIVE WIPER BLADES, BUT IT DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THAE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,360.*AK”
“2000 MYSTIQUE LS, ENGINE STALL 7 TIMES OVER THE LAST 10 MONTHS. AFTER MULTIPLE REPAIRS, THE MERCURY DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *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 | 19 | 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 | 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 |
5 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 65 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (18), visibility (11), engine and engine cooling (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2000 Mercury Mystique at 21–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).