The first thing is the "check Engine" light - it never goes out. It came on for the first time 2 months after I purchased the car and I have had to replace the alternator at 70,000 miles.
I replace back blinker and brake lights 5 times since I had the car. I contacted the Ford dealer about the frequent light blow outs and they told me that most 97 Mystique's have that problem. Because of poor manufacturing, there are a lot of cracks around the lights, and when it rains they can blow.
My radiator fan is extremely loud - you can hear it a mile away, and now at 90,000 miles, and in the dead of winter, my heater blower motor has clunked out on me, so no heat blows and it's -2 degrees in the car, so I'm saving for that 400 dollar job as we speak.
A lot of problems in just one year and that Check Engine light is still shining brightly.
Ford did a recall for this specific problem, faulty parts.
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