1996 Mercury Mystique: engine stalls while driving

Filed Jan 11, 2009 · Electrical · 89,000 miles · NY · fire

The under hood wire harness burned up. This car has 89,000 miles and runs good. I heard there was a recall / tsb #( onp 99m03) on this car but ford will not honor it because the car is over 10 years old. I think ford should reimburse for repairs or buy back the car. This is a dangerous situation as the car will stall abruptly and lose power steering.

Filed Sep 7, 2006 · Electrical · 98,400 miles · FL · fire

Car has had increasing number of electrical problems...check engine light coming on. Mechanics couldn't find what was triggering it after replacing the oxygen sensors repeatedly. Other twitches (stalling, burned up turn signal module,) finally culminating in complete brake light and reverse light failure. Took the car back to my mechanics, who replaced the signal module, and showed me the burn marks on it. They stated that they tried to get the brake lights to work, and found that the primary wiring harness was just disintegrating (insulation failures all over.) they called ford/mercury before they told me of this problem, and were told that ford/merc would replace the harness as long as the car hadn't gone over 100k miles, and was not more than ten years old (it wasn't.) dropped the car at a local ford dealer, who called me back to say that they would have been glad to replace the harness, had I found the problem prior to jan 2006. They promptly informed that they would be more than happy to replace the harness for about $2,000.00 I informed them that I'd be more than happy to perform brain surgery on them with a weedeater at no charge. I'll never purchase another ford product in my life, and I unfortunately currently own five.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Brakes, Steering · AL

I replaced the alternator last summer and I had to replace it again this summer. I had to replace my tail lights twice the brakes is always giving me problems. The window on the drivers side doesnt roll down. When it rain the floors get wet. I have a hard time putting it into gear and taking it out of gear. It stalls to cut on and drives really rough.I had to replace the tires numerous times.the speedometer went out and the temperture gauge as well.the AC dosent work and it takes a while for the heat to warm up car.something need to be done about this.

Filed Dec 4, 2001 · Transmission · NC

The gear does not shift properly. From stop to low speed (<20mph) it whines, jerks and stalls. At high speed (40mph) it stops shifting and keeps whining at 3-4000rpm while it should shift up. The o/d off warning light comes up 2-3 minutes after starting the car.

Filed May 31, 2001 · Electrical, Engine · CA

Vehicle stalled, white smoke was coming out of hood, and there was a coolant smell, dealer replaced battery, however the problem was the water pump and thermostat and because they were not replaced vehicle overheated causing the head gasket to blow causing coolant to go into the cylinder.

Filed Apr 23, 2001 · Engine · MN

I have had a problem with the engine stalling when outside temps exceeds 85 degrees and the A/C is on. The problem occurs after taveling at highway speeds and the cluch is depressed and the engine is allowed to idle. The engine intermittenly will immediately stall. This causes a partial loss of braking and power steering. This happens about once a day when temps are over 85. The problem has been happening since 1997. The dealer has looked at the car 4 times and has tried fixing the A/C to resolve the problem. They say the I need to bring the car in while it is stalling?

Filed Jun 16, 2000 · Engine · CA

While traveling vehicle stalled without indication. Also, engine check light stayed on for days. Dealer has repaired vehicle five times. *ak the vehicle has been back to the dealer six times for the same problem.

Filed Mar 14, 2000 · Acceleration, Engine · CA

We took this car to the dealer in may of 1999 because the throttle seemed to stick, then break free, causing to car to lurc forward into traffic. They kept the car but it would not repeat the problem so they erturned it to us and charged us over $100. Ever since the throttle would sometimes feel rough in about one half to one inch of travel but then would be smooth as silk. In feb we took the car in for the smog check and the service person finished the test and put the car in reverse and it sat still, the engine at idle and it would not move. He shifted it back and forth then suddenly it shot out of the stall without warning. He said he had pushed on the foot pedal but nothing happened. Then on march 14, 2000, I was traveling at a steady speed of 50 miles per hour for about five minutes when I decided to accelerate to 55, the throttle stuck tight. I pushed very hard but nothing happened for about 20 seconds, then suddenly it released and my speed increased. At this point we cannopt afford to pay ford $100 every time we take this in and they can't find anything. I'm sure it is a throttle problem. The smog mechanic thinks it may also have something to do with a switch on the transmission, as he said when it did it to him he moved the shift lever back and for and pushed on the foot pedal and it did not increase in speed nor did it move. Is there some kind of recall having to do with either of these problems? The dealer doesn't seem to think so. Thanks for your help. It has been and on going thing. When the problem occurs it is without warning. I have had a couple of scary occurrences. Once at a stop sign I pulled up stopped saw that it was clear, press on the foot pedal and nothing happened, the car sat still at idle, no reving just idle. I thought my foot was caught on the carpet so I pushed again, still nothing so I thoght maybe the floor mat had gotten caught under the pedal, just as I was reaching down to pull on floor mat car shot forward. Ak

Filed Mar 13, 2000 · Acceleration, Engine · IL

While driving in heavy morning traffic vehicle starts whining, then it stalls. Has to put gear in park to restart. Sometimes the overdrive indicator light comes on. Also, when pulling out in traffic, it doesn't engage in gear immediately, when putting foot on accelerator, it can cause an accident.

Filed Mar 9, 2000 · Brakes, Steering · WA

While driving rear wheels locked up and power steering malfunctioned, causing loss of most steering ability. Also, vehicle stalled unexpectedly due to defective transmission, almost causing a crash. *ak

Filed Nov 30, 1999 · Brakes, Engine · MD

Body paint-acid like blemishes; brakes-premature wearing out; seat- driver's seat loose; seat belt- belt does not retract fully and catches in closing door ,resulting in broken button; engine(cold starts)- engine prone to stalling and low idle speed; remote trunk and fuel filler door release - remote release does not always function; water leaks into trunk while trunk is open; vehicle rides harshly - struts checked and no trouble found; auto transmission shifting difficulty shifting from reverse to park; trunk lock inoperable during cold weather; power windows binding.

Filed Oct 24, 1999 · Engine · NY

After stopping, car stalled. Then started and when stopped again, stalled. Car was towed to island ford dealership --head gaskets needed to be replaced as well heads. Heads had warped. Check engine light failed. Dealership where car was purchased could not be trusted to do the repair work. However, island ford no better-car has been there for 1 month.