1997 Mercury Mystique GS from North America - Comments

Doors leak, leaving the floor wet and growing mold, and ruining the carpet.

Rear light assembly leaks, causing the same problem in the trunk.

Stalls just after start up when it's cold.

Handling is frighteningly bad around corners, feels as if it's drifting off the road.

Transmission is constantly shifting up and down for no reason.

This car is a cheap piece of crap, but what did I expect from Ford????

However in April of this year while driving - the engine seemed to disconnect from drive, resulting in high engine RPM for a few seconds, then re-engaging the drive - resulting in a forward lurch. This process repeats at intervals of 10 seconds to one minute. This problem occurs at different intervals and lasts from 1-10 minutes. Sometimes we drive 200 miles without a problem, at other times only a few miles.

Now recurring more frequently, anywhere between 5-50 miles.

Checked transmission fluid - was OK.

Had transmission checked by two different specialists. Found nothing wrong.

Lincoln-Mercury dealer in Menlo Park (Stanford) was unable to fix this problem, since it did not occur while dealer was performing a diagnostic test drive.

Has anyone out there had a similar experience? Any idea what part needs replacement? Did it work?? Please advise.

Ernie

fego@pacbell.net

I purchased a 2000 Mystique and it was a mistake. The front brakes completely wore out right at 12,500 miles and I was told that it was my fault. One month later a received a defect letter with the braking system.

I later experienced severe problems accelerating in very cold temperatures and it would even cut off.

To put the icing on the cake, my alternator went out in the middle of the freeway a few days ago on its 1st birthday and I still have yet to solve the fan belt moaning problem.

Though I have a beautiful, decked out, leather and wood grain model, I feel like I a purchased a used vehicle!

I am also having a problem with the transmission. When it is cold (and it only does this a couple of times before is runs OK), the transmission down shifts from second to first in such a way that the rpms kick up and it feels like the car is going to take off from under you. I also have taken it two shops without success. I am looking at getting rid of it ASAP.