1998 MERCURY MYSTIQUE Suspension Problems

1998 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. ELECTRICAL SUB-HARNESS CONNECTOR PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HIS MECHANIC, BECAUSE THE AC WASN'T COOLING PROPERLY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD OVER HEAT, WHILE IT WAS ON. THE VEHICLE HAS TWO FANS IN THE FRONT AND THEY FOUND THE COOLING FAN MELTED AND THE SUB-HARNESS CONNECTOR BURNED UP. IN ADDITION, THEY SHOWED THE CONSUMER THE PART OF THE SUB-HARNESS WITH THE INSULATION JUST FALLING OFF THE WIRE. THEY HAD TO REPLACED THE FAN MOTOR UNIT AND HAD TO SPLICE IN A FAN CONNECTOR AND WIRE INTO THE REST OF THE SUB-HARNESS, BECAUSE FOR SAID THE SUB-HARNESS WAS OBSOLETE AND NOT AVAILABLE. WHILE IT FUNCTIONS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS SINCE ILLUMINATED FOR A CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR, WHICH THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WAS RELATED TO THE SUB-HARNESS. ALSO, THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS, BALL JOINTS, FRONT STRUTS, REAR STRUTS AND REAR MOUNTS, NUMEROUS O2 SENSORS, RADIO ANTENNA, RACK AND PINION, DRIVERS SIDE POWER WINDOW AND SWITCH CONTROLLER WERE ALL REPLACED. THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. WHILE PULLING AWAY FROM A CURB AT 5 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE, CAUSING A BLOW OUT. THE VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V255000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 87,000.

Mileage: 87,000

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS FRONT END PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE FRONT TIE RODS TWICE IN A YEAR AND A HALF. HAVING PROBLEMS WITH STRUTS .CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS NEED TO CHANGED. ALSO STABILIZERS LINKAGE HAD TO BE CHANGED. HAVE ALSO PUT NEW BALL JOINTS IN. *TR

Mileage: 87,000

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS FRONT END PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE FRONT TIE RODS TWICE IN A YEAR AND A HALF. HAVING PROBLEMS WITH STRUTS .CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS NEED TO CHANGED. ALSO STABILIZERS LINKAGE HAD TO BE CHANGED. HAVE ALSO PUT NEW BALL JOINTS IN. *TR

Mileage: 87,000

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS FRONT END PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE FRONT TIE RODS TWICE IN A YEAR AND A HALF. HAVING PROBLEMS WITH STRUTS .CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS NEED TO CHANGED. ALSO STABILIZERS LINKAGE HAD TO BE CHANGED. HAVE ALSO PUT NEW BALL JOINTS IN. *TR

Mileage: 87,000

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS FRONT END PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE FRONT TIE RODS TWICE IN A YEAR AND A HALF. HAVING PROBLEMS WITH STRUTS .CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS NEED TO CHANGED. ALSO STABILIZERS LINKAGE HAD TO BE CHANGED. HAVE ALSO PUT NEW BALL JOINTS IN. *TR

Mileage: 87,000

FORD MOTOR CO. IS REFUSING TO REIMBURSE FOR REPAIRS RELATED TO SAFETY RECALL #01S23, 98 MERCURY MYSTIQUE. *NM

Mileage: 53,000

THE TRANS IS OUT NOT WORKING. IT WORKED FINE,AND JUST STOP,MADE A FUNNY NOISE AND JUST STOPED. IPULLED IN MY YARD.KNOW IT WANT MOVE.FOR KNOW REASON.

MCPHERSON STRUT ASSEMBLY RUSTED AT THE BASE OF THE ASSEMBLY WHERE IT WAS ATTACHED TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. WHILE DRIVING ON A MOUNTAINOUS WINDING ROAD WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE SWAYED TO THE RIGHT, AND THE WHEEL DISASSEMBLED. VEHICLE SWAYED, AND STOPPED IN A GRASSY AREA WHILE BEING DRIVEN AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. *AK

Mileage: 116,000

RECALL 01I013000, WHILE DRIVING FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE AND THE FRONT END COLLAPSED. THIS OCCURRED SIX MONTHS AFTER THE SHIELD WAS INSTALLED. DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO REPLACE THE COIL SPRING BECAUSE THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *AK

Mileage: 102,000

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE FRONT COIL SPRING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD BROKEN AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB

WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE, AND PROCEEDED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO INVESTIGATE THE NOISE. UPON EXISTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SUSPENSION COLLAPSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, WHO INDICATED THAT DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE. *AK RECALL# 01V255000. *SC *JB

Mileage: 59,600

COMPLAINTS: 1.DIDN'T RECEIVE RECALL NOTICE (01S23) UNTIL 2 YRS AFTER IT WAS ISSUED. 2.NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE OF A "SERVICE CAMPAIGN" (01I013000) TO REPLACE SPRINGS IF FOUND TO BE CORRODED OR BREAK. 3.RECALL DID NOT ADDRESS ISSUE OF RECALL OR PROBLEM.(CORRISIVE,RUSTED SPRINGS).RECALL DID INSTRUCT DEALER/REPAIRER TO INSTALL SPRING BRACKETS (COMPLETED SATISFACTORLY). COMPARISON: BATTERIES DEAD IN FLASHLIGHT,OWNER REPLACES BULB. THE SPRINGS WERE CAUSING THE PROBLEM. 4.VEHICLE NOW HAS LOUD THUMPS THAT WEREN'T THERE BEFORE THE "SPRING BRACKETS" WERE INSTALLED. 5.REGIONAL RECALLS. NOTES: CAR HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY A CERIFIED MECHANIC AND FOUND NOT TO HAVE DEFECTIVE CV JOINTS OR WHEEL BEARINGS, NO UNDER CARRIAGE PARTS LOOSE. CAR IS SCHEDULED FOR INSPECTION BY A FORD DEALERSHIP ON 11/07/03. CAR PREVIOUSLY OPERATED IN NEW ENGLAND STATE (3 YRS).

Mileage: 79,786

INFORMATION OF MY CAR: 1998 MERCURY MYSTIQUE V6 2.5L ENGINE ODOMETER: 141,120KM VIN: [XXX] THREE DAYS AGO, THE VEHICLE HAD SOME NOISE WHEN TURN LEFT. THE MECHANICS TOOK A LOOK AND FOUND ONE OF THE SUSPENSION BIG COIL SPRING BROKEN (THE ONE JUST OVER THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL). YESTERDAY, THE BROKEN SUSPENSION COIL SPRING WAS REPLACED. TO OUR SURPRISE, THE SPRING WAS BROKEN INTO 3 PIECES, AND THE BROKEN INTERFACE WAS COVERED BY A VERY HEAVY RUST. THE HEAVY RUST MEANS THE BIG COIL SPRING ACTUALLY WAS BROKEN LONG TIMES AGO. WE ARE LUCKY, BECAUSE THE SPRING WAS BROKEN AT THE TWO END, SO THE REMINDER OF THE SPRING CAN STILL WORK AND NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE MECHANICS TOLD US, THEY REPAIRED A FORD CONTOUR BEFORE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT THAT GUY'S COIL SPRING BROKEN IN THE MIDDLE AND HIS VEHICLE WAS BAD DAMAGED. I STILL KEEP THE BROKEN COIL SPRING (ALL THE 3 PIECES), I CAN SEND YOU A PHOTO PICTURE OR SHIP THE SPRING ITSELF TO YOU IF YOU WANT. THIS IS MY CONTACT: [XXX]. TEL: [XXX] EMAIL: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 130,000

CONSUMER STATES COIL SPRING FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Mileage: 32,000

THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT LEFT TIRE. *NLM

BROKEN COIL SPRING ON DRIVER SIDE OF CAR, ALL OTHER SPRINGS ROTTING AWAY. ALSO CAR VIBRATES TREMENDOUSLY WHEN GOING 60 MPH. *JB

Mileage: 48,868

THE RIGHT FRONT SHOCK STRUT COIL POPPED OFF AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. *JB

Mileage: 60,000

AFTER THE RECALL FOR THE FRONT COIL SPRING WAS PERFORMED, RECALL #01I013000, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE RECALL REMEDY DID NOT STOP THE SPRING FROM BREAKING, IT ONLY STOPPED IT FROM BLOWING THE TIRE.*JB

CONSUMER IS STILL HAVING PROBLEMS AFTER RECALL HAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE RECALL#011013000 FRONT COIL SPRING. LINCOLN MERCURY MONROE, MI 732-241-2060 MR

REMEDY THAT MANUFACTURER USED TO FIX THE PROBLEM WITH TIRE WHEN PUTTING PLATE AROUND COIL SPRINGS DID NOT WORK. TIRE DID NOT HAVE THAT MUCH SPACE WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN TIRE/ PLATE, AND NUTS. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

CUP/PLATE ADDED TO FRT COIL ASSEMBLY ADVERSELY IMPACTS VEHICLE HANDLING. *AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE IS PREMATURE WEAR OF THE FRONT HUB BEARINGS. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *JG

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE IN 3 PIECES AND THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE IN 2 PIECES. *SLC

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE IN 3 PIECES AND THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE IN 2 PIECES. *SLC

WHEEL BEARINGS WERE DEFECTIVE. STEERING MADE A LOT OF NOISE WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. TOOOK VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, INFORMED CONSUMER THAT SPINDLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE WAS DEFECTIVE. SPINDLE ON PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS NOT.*AK

NHTSA RECALL 01I013000/MANUFACTURER'S RECALLS 01M08 AND 01S23 CONCERNING FRONT COIL SPRING CORROSION. BOTH REPAIRS WERE DONE BY MANHATTAN FORD; MANHATTAN, NY; PHONE # 212/581WAS BEING MADE. DEALER INFORMED THAT THEY DID ALL THAT THEY NEEDED TO DO. ASKING NHTSA ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THE MATTER.*AK

NHTSA RECALL 01V255000/MANUFACTURER RECALL01S23//FRONT COIL SPRING CORROSION: RECALL REPAIR FAILURE. INSTALLED SHIELD PLACED TOO CLOSE TO SNOW TIRES WHICH POSED A RISK TO VEHICLE IF INVOLVED IN A SUDDEN TURN OR STOP. REPAIRS DONE BY HERITAGE FORD, SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT; PHONE# 802/865-8150. *AK DEALER REPAIRED BY REPLACING COIL SPRINGS AND CUTTING THE BACK INNER FENDER SHIELDS, CONSUMER STILL HAS A RUBBING SOUND WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION, POSSIBLY THE LOWER SPRING CAME INTO CONTACT WITH THE SIDEWALL. *JB

TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR RECALL 01V255000 REPAIRS. DEALERSHIP FIXED PROBLEM, BUT RECALL REMEDY FAILED. ALSO COIL SPRING WAS FRACTURED WHEN VEHICLE WAS IN FOR RECALL REPAIRS. *AK CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR CORRODED COIL SPRING, AND SHIELD WERE PUT ON NOT KNOWING THAT THE COIL WAS FRACTURED, WHEN CONSUMER ARRIVED TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE IT WAS LEANING AND RATTLING, CONSUMER THEN POINTED OUT THAT THE COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN BECAUSE OF IT LEANING, DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT STRUTS WERE NEEDED, CONSUMER STATED IF THE COIL SPRINGS HAD NOT WENT BAD THERE WOULD BE NO NEED FOR STRUTS.*SLC

TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR RECALL 01V255000 REPAIRS. DEALERSHIP FIXED PROBLEM, BUT RECALL REMEDY FAILED. ALSO COIL SPRING WAS FRACTURED WHEN VEHICLE WAS IN FOR RECALL REPAIRS. *AK CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR CORRODED COIL SPRING, AND SHIELD WERE PUT ON NOT KNOWING THAT THE COIL WAS FRACTURED, WHEN CONSUMER ARRIVED TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE IT WAS LEANING AND RATTLING, CONSUMER THEN POINTED OUT THAT THE COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN BECAUSE OF IT LEANING, DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT STRUTS WERE NEEDED, CONSUMER STATED IF THE COIL SPRINGS HAD NOT WENT BAD THERE WOULD BE NO NEED FOR STRUTS.*SLC

FRONT WHEEL BEARING HAS TO BE REPLACED OR WHEELS MAY COME OFF WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHEN TURNING VEHICLE LEFT OR RIGHT THERE IS A CLICKING INSIDE OF STEERING. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK *YH

AT 48,787 MILES THE LEFT COIL FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE IN 3 PIECES. 9 DAYS LATER THE RIGHT COIL SPRING BROKE INTO 2 PIECES. BOTH REPAIRED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE.

FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING FAILED BURING BACKUP, RESULTING IN TIRE GOUGE AND FRAME BOTTOMING. LOOKING AT THE 1998 MYSTIQUES/FORD CONTOURS, IT IS A VERY STRONG POSSIBLIITY THE THE COIL SPRINGS ON THESE CARS ARE FATIGUEING , FOR MANY SPRINGS HAVE FAILED IN THESE MODEL IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. THERE IS MOST CERTAINLY A TREND AND THIS IS A DEFINATE SAFETY THREAT. SHOULD ONE FAIL AT A HIGHER SPEED, THE RESULTS WILL BE CATASTROPHIC.

FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE DRIVING AND COMING TO A STOP IN A PARKING LOT. FRONT FENDER DROPPED DOWN ON TIRE AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNDRIVEABLE. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT COMPONENT HAD TO BE REPAIRED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. *AK

CAR NOT RUNNING, IGNITION OFF. COIL SPRING BROKE IN HALF AND POINT OF SPRING EJECTED THROUGH TIRE CAUSING TIRE TO BLOW UP. FORTUNATELY I JUST TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WAS GETTING READY TO ENTER DR. OFFICE. IT WAS ONLY MINUTES AFTER EXITING A HIGHWAY. I WAS JUST SITTING THERE AND HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION LIKE A GUN SHOT SOUND AND A WOOSH OF THE AIR EXITING THE TIRE IMMEDIATELY.*AK

FLAT TIRE WHILE DRIVING. WHEN CONSUMER WENT TO CHECK WHAT PROBLEM WAS, HE FOUND OUT THAT COIL SPRINGS SNAPPED AND PUNCTURED TIRE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE A FLAT TIRE WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN CONSUMER'S GARAGE AND THAT IS WHEN HE NOTICED THE FLAT TIRE, WHILE CHANGING TIRE, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING HAD SNAPPED, WHICH HAD PUNCTURED THE TIRE AND DESTROYED THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND MADE THE VEHICLE NOT BEING ABLE TO MOVE, VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED.*JB

FLAT TIRE WHILE DRIVING. WHEN CONSUMER WENT TO CHECK WHAT PROBLEM WAS, HE FOUND OUT THAT COIL SPRINGS SNAPPED AND PUNCTURED TIRE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE A FLAT TIRE WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN CONSUMER'S GARAGE AND THAT IS WHEN HE NOTICED THE FLAT TIRE, WHILE CHANGING TIRE, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING HAD SNAPPED, WHICH HAD PUNCTURED THE TIRE AND DESTROYED THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND MADE THE VEHICLE NOT BEING ABLE TO MOVE, VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED.*JB

LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED TIRE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

LEFT COIL SPRING SNAPPED IN HALF AND SHOT THROUGH LEFT FRONT TIRE.*AK

FRONT COIL SPRING CRACKED IN HALF, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SWAY. *AK

LEFT FRONT SPRING COIL SNAPPED. DEALER REPAIR SHOP DESCRIBES IT AS "LEFT FRONT SPRING BROKEN AND SITTING ON TIRE AND WRAPPED AROUND STRUT" WAS TOLD BY REPAIR SHOP THAT THIS NOT HAPPEN ON A CAR WITH SO FEW MILES. FORD DECLINES TO SAY THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM BUT THIS IS NOT THE FIRST OR ONLY MAKE AND MODEL WITH THIS PROBLEM. WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP OWNER THAT THIS IS GOING TO TURN INTO A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR FORD. *AK

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP SIGN COIL SPRING SNAPPED, CAUSING FRONT END TO COLLAPSE, STRUT TO BE BENT, TIRE TO BE SHREDDED. WHILE THIS PART HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED YET, THIS VEHICLE HAS NEEDED MORE THAN $2000 IN REPAIRS IN THE LAST 9 MONTHS.

WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY MERCURY MYSTIQUE DOWN THE ROAD ON 12/06/00 LEFT FRONT OF MY CAR DROPPED MY CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE AND MY CAR STOPPED ABRUPTLY I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE MY VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. A 6 INCH PIECE OF COIL SPRING BROKE OFF DROPPING MY LEFT SIDE OF MY CAR TO THE ROAD. *AK

VEHICLE HAS A CONSTANT RATTLE UNDER THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING, DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE. *SLC

HAS 6 RECALLS FOR DEFECTIVE PARTS ALREADY- THE COIL SPRINGS WILL EVENTUALLY BE RECALLED SOMEDAY AND GOD KNOWS WHAT ELSE. WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT THE SAME COIL SPRINGS WERE RECALLED IN OTHER FORDS SOME TIME AGO AND THEY MISSED THESE BECAUSE THE DATE WAS DIFFERENT. THE CAR IS UNSAFE. WHEN IS A CAR CONSIDERED A LEMON! *AK

VEHICLE CONTINUALLY EXPERIENCED VIBRATION, AS A RESULT OF SUSPENSION TROUBLE, EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE TIRES, TWO SETS OF TIRES REQUIRED REPLACEMENT IN LESS THAN 30,OOO MILES. *MJS

FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. FORD PROVIDED NO HELP. *AK *ML

RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. NLM

STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AT 65 TO 70 MPH. MJS

REAR AXLE TRAIL ARM BOLT FAILED. MJS

REAR AXLE TRAIL ARM BOLT FAILED. MJS

REAR AXLE TRAIL ARM BOLT FAILED. MJS

VEHICLE DEVELOPED VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING OVER 50 MPH, CAUSING SAFETY HAZARD. DLR HAS ROTATED AND BALANCED TIRES, BUT DEFECT STILL OCCURS. *AK

WHEN BACKING OUT AND MAKING A TURN, VEHICLE IS MAKING A POPPING NOISE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN REPAIR SHOP THREE TIMES. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. ALSO, WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED A GRINDING NOISE IS HEARD. CONSUMER THINKS THE BRACKET IS LOOSE. *AK

VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN BRAKING.

VEHICLE VIBRATES WHEN DRIVEN OVER 60 MPH.

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BROKE AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED. ALSO, THERE IS KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. *AK