The 1998 Mercury Mystique has 42 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 13% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.
42
Transmission complaints
13%
Share of year
2
Crash-involved
1
Related recalls
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.
“CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH SHIFT LEVEL INDICATOR. WHILE HAVING VEHICLE WASHED, VEHICLE STARTED MOVING ON ITS OWN. THIS VEHICLE'S SUDDEN MOVEMENT, CAUSED IT TO RUN INTO AN IRON STRUCTURE IN WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. THE DEFECTS DESCRIBED COMPLY…”
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the 1998 Mercury Mystique transmission — 13% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 98V233000.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.