VehicleVerdict

2000 Mercury Mystique problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2000 Mercury Mystique is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 81 owner complaints run below the Mystique median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across body & structure (18), visibility & wipers (9), and fuel system (8), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

81

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Mystique years?

Mystique NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted524 complaints1994: 2 complaints1995: 524 complaints1996: 303 complaints1997: 100 complaints1998: 326 complaints1999: 169 complaints2000: 81 complaints2001: 2 complaints2002: 3 complaints
Mystique NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Mystique years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Mercury Mystique problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure1822%
Visibility & Wipers911%
Engine810%
Fuel System810%
Airbags79%
Electrical System79%
Speed Control56%
Other45%
Transmission45%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)34%
Steering22%
Suspension22%
Brakes22%
Tires & Wheels11%
Seat Belts11%

Does the 2000 Mercury Mystique have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08E033000SuspensionApril 14, 2008 · 6,903 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.

06E022000BrakesMarch 13, 2006 · 7,440 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.

00V228001Seat BeltsAugust 18, 2000 · 144,435 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON CERTAIN SEAT BELT BUCKLES OF YOUR VEHICLE AND REPLACE ALL SEAT BELT BUCKLES THAT FALL WITHIN THE SUSPECT DATE CODE RANGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 26, 2000. 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.

00V075000BrakesMarch 9, 2000 · 436,200 units

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.

99V361000OtherDecember 29, 1999 · 1,381 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN INCORRECT LABEL WAS INSTALLED ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR. THIS LABEL CONTAINS INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ACTIVATION OF THE CHILDPROOF SAFETY LOCKS.

Consequence

THE OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE MAY BELIEVE THE CHILDPROOF SAFETY LOCK WAS ACTIVATED WHEN IT WAS NOT, POTENTIALLY ALLOWING THE DOOR TO BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A REPLACEMENT LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION TRAVELLING APPROXIMATELY 20-25MPH AND WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK BOTH FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS WERE OFF TRACK. THE FRONT RIGHT & REAR DOORS WERE PUSHED 2 FEET INTO THE DRIVERS SIDE, WITH THE FRONT &…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · February 20, 2002 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON 12-09-2000, WITH HEATER ON, BECAME VERY DISORIENTED, HIT CONCRETE BARRIER, ARRIVED 2 HOURS LATE TO WORK, WAS TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO HOSPITAL,, MY CO-WORKERS WILL CONFIRM THAT I COULD NOT TALK OR WALK PROPERLY, WAS VERY CONFUSED, CHECKED OUT BY NEUROLOGISTS, ALL TESTS RESULTS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · March 27, 2001 · crash

“FUEL INDICATOR SHOWED 1/4 TANK OF GAS IN TANK. ENGINE CUT OFF BECAUSE TANK WAS EMPTY. FILLED WITH GAS AND CAR STARTED. TWO WEEKS LATER GAS INDICATOR SHOW A LITTLE MORE THAN 1/4 TANK OF GAS AND ENGINE CUT OFF. FILLED WITH GAS AND CAR STARTED. I NOW FILL THE GAS TANK WHEN THE ODOMETER GETS TO 170…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 15, 2001

“IN MARCH OF 2002 THE DASH STARTING COMING UNGLUED AND ROLLING UP, WHICH CAUSED MY DEFOGGER TO POP OUT AND NOT DEFOG MY WINDSHIELD CORRECTLY. THE CAR ALSO STALLS OUT WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STARTING POSITION OR CHANGING TO PASSING GEAR. THE ENGINE HAS TO THEN BE SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED FOR IT TO CLEAR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 10, 2002

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S DASH WARPED ON 10/15/06 CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER VENT COVER TO POP OUT OF PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SHORTLY AFTER AND DETERMINED THAT A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 0346 WITH NHTSA ITEM #10001899 HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 15, 2005

2000 Mercury Mystique — common questions

Is the 2000 Mercury Mystique reliable?

It is close to typical for the Mystique: 81 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2000 Mystique problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (18 complaints), visibility & wipers (9 complaints), fuel system (8 complaints).

Does the 2000 Mercury Mystique have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Mercury Mystique. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2000 Mercury Mystique under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mercury Mystique years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Mystique years to avoid are 1995, 1998, 1996, 1999. The cleanest record among Mystique years belongs to 2001.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.