Mercury

Mystique

Compact Cars · model years 1995 to 2000

See all 24 Mystique trims

The verdict

Best year: 2000. complaints: 63, below this model's typical 157; recalls: 3, below this model's typical 6.

Worst year: 1995. complaints: 335, about 2.1x this model's typical 157; recalls: 8, above this model's typical 6.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Mercury Mystique
Year	Trims	MPG	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Top complaints
1995	4Gas	23	$2,725	8	335	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 20%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16%, POWER TRAIN 12%
complaints: 335, about 2.1x this model's typical 157 recalls: 8, above this model's typical 6 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 11 complaints reporting a fire: 15 Score: 13 of 100, where higher is better.
1996	4Gas	22.5	$2,775	7	185	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 16%, POWER TRAIN 12%
complaints: 185, above this model's typical 157 recalls: 7, above this model's typical 6 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 9 complaints reporting a fire: 12 Score: 47 of 100, where higher is better.
1997	4Gas	22.5	$2,775	4	71	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 15%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 13%, EXTERIOR LIGHTING 10%
complaints: 71, below this model's typical 157 recalls: 4, below this model's typical 6 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 complaints reporting a fire: 3 Score: 73 of 100, where higher is better.
1998	4Gas	23	$2,725	8	231	SUSPENSION 17%, POWER TRAIN 13%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12%
complaints: 231, above this model's typical 157 recalls: 8, above this model's typical 6 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 7 complaints reporting a fire: 7 Score: 37 of 100, where higher is better.
1999	4Gas	22	$2,825	2	128	STRUCTURE 18%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 12%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 12%
complaints: 128, below this model's typical 157 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 6 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 12 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 50 of 100, where higher is better.
2000	4Gas	22	$2,825	3	63	STRUCTURE 23%, VISIBILITY 11%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 10%
complaints: 63, below this model's typical 157 recalls: 3, below this model's typical 6 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 Score: 80 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median1995: 23 to 2000: 22

Owner complaints1995: 335 to 2000: 63

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Mercury Mystique to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.