Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
SUSPENSION
08E033000FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS PRODUCTS E (Equipment)690305/22/2008MFRFORD MOTOR COMPANY04/14/200804/17/2008
Defect SummaryFederal mogul is recalling 6,903 aftermarket ball joint assemblies shipped between november 9, 2007 and march 26, 2008, which may have been packaged with incorrect nuts. the part numbers packaged with incorrect nuts are: k7147, k7329, k8683, and 104353. these parts were made for use on the various vehicles listed above.
Consequence SummaryThe nuts included in the packaging for these ball joint assemblies are missing the intended prevailing torque (self-locking) feature. if the incorrect nut was to become loose, the joining members may loosen leading to a separation of the ball joint. this may result in loss of vehicle control, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Corrective SummaryFederal mogul will notify owners and replace the parts free of charge. the recall began on may 22, 2008. owners can contact federal mogul at 877-489-6659.
NotesThis recall only pertains to aftermarket ball joint assemblies and has no relation to any original equipment installed on vehicles manufactured by the vehicle manufacturers.customers may contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
SUSPENSION
609173805/01/19996091738Some vehicles may exhibit a vibration at 60 - 70 mph (100 - 115 kph). *tt11/14/2000
734411/01/1999610781Some vehicles may exhibit a vibration at 60-70 mph. *tt05/15/2000
1336410/01/1999609651Customer may comment on vibration at 60 - 70 mph at cruise. *tt04/05/2000
991278105/01/1999607100Experiencing vibration at 60 - 70 mph (110 - 12- kph). *tt09/13/1999
632006/01/1999606800Concerns with vibration at 60 - 70 mph. *tt09/02/1999
SUSPENSION - FRONT - WHEEL BEARING
1524101/01/2002630024Some vehicles may exhibit a noise that appears to come from the front wheel bearings. *tt04/11/2002
1524109/01/2001625783Some vehicles may exhibit a noise that appears to come from the front wheel bearings. *tt12/03/2001
SUSPENSION - REAR
974602/17/199751688Transaxle- cd4e- harsh shift and/or engagement- diagnostic trouble code (dtc) 628 or p0741- service tip. *jd06/27/1997
BC050196111111/11/199650767Squeaks from the rear suspension. *tw06/17/1997

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
SUSPENSION
06/15/20030
 6/15/03 i do not have the exact dates of problems, but i will relate my experiences. shortly after purchase used in 1999, the brake light switch, which also controls the shift inter- lock, failed. took it to the dealer and they found an open connection behind the glove box that controls the switch operation. they fixed that open connection and the switch worked fine. then the switch problem started again. tried a new switch and that failed after a few months. have gone through six or seven switches and have one now that seems to work. i purchased and installed new switches myself after the first one because ford was charging me about $15 for the part and around $90 to install. asked service people at ford and they told me that some switches work and some don't. asked another serviceperson at different dealership and was told these stop light switches rarely fail? got a service bulletin from ford stating that the front strut springs could fail but not to bring the car in until they did fail. got another bulletin stating that the main electrical connecter for the engine under the hood could fail but again don't bring the car in until this failure happens. ford did repair a failed hi-speed heater blower connection at their cost. i asked the tech why he had to raise the car and he said, poor design. poor design seems to be a common theme with the '95 mystique. by the way mine is a four banger. i guess the most troubling was the brake light switch. not only can the car not be shifted out of park, the brake lights won't work even when the manual over ride is used. nothing like not having brake lights on today's roads! the car now has about 78,000 miles. why so few? didn't want to drive with no brake lights. i see the '95 mystique/contour was nothing but problems. i don't know how service bulletins concerning front spring failure or main engine harness failure which i described above cannot be classified as recalls. robert soderlund
07/15/20030
 The front springs were changed under one of the recalls after one broke.the back springs were not under recall but were both broken and ford refused to do it even though the springs were from the same supplier and failed prematurely. i had to change both rear springs due to their partial recall. the air bag light is blinking now which i am told means the air bags will not deploy if involved in an accident. i need to drive the car and if involved in an accident will hold ford responsible for any injuries as they won't fix this faulty system.
03/20/19961
 Vehicle continually pulls causing damage to tires.
10/05/1996508/20/1995
 Speedometer needle bounces around then stops on 0, vehicle jerks and slows down to 0 mph and sometimes stalls. vehicle also vibrates when in any gear and not moving.
04/28/1997103/13/1997
 Axle broke.
SUSPENSION - FRONT
04/28/19968
 Vehicle hard to control on the open road due to the suspension problems. *dsh
SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER ARM
203/01/1997
 I have had three different wheel fail at different times starting at 110,000 miles. i have contacted ford about this and they say they have one knowledge of it. i have also had the bushings on the lower controler arms fail.*ak
10/08/19971
 Lower control arm broke from the frame.
10/08/19958
 Lower control arm failed, causing left front wheel to turn sideways.
SUSPENSION - FRONT - MACPHERSON STRUT
08/21/2000112/01/1997
 This mercury mystique has been a problem from the first time i drove it. all of the recalls were serviced by the dealer but i also experienced both front struts breaking, the front spring breaking, the front rotors cracking and the list goes on. the last straw was when the transmission failed at 74,000. the complete unit was replaced at a cost of over $2,000!! i've read the list of complaints on the 95' mystique and it's makes me want to cry. i will never by a ford product again.
01/01/199909/01/1997
 I have replaced: engine, transmission, blower motor, brakes, now the struts are going out. the car is a lemon!! *ak
SUSPENSION - FRONT - SPRINGS - COIL SPRINGS
12/04/2001208/01/2095
 In feb 1999 we received a recall notice for failure of the front springs on this vehicle since it originally had been sold in a snow/cold state. the front springs have not failed. however there was noise and poor handling in the rear of the car. investigation by a ford dealer in tucson did not disclose any failure of springs. the dealer recomended replacement of rear struts. this work was authorized at an independent repair facility (ase certified mechanic) upon dissassembly of the strut unit both rear springs werre found to be broken near the top. the failure was attributed to corrosion. i requested a meeting with a ford motor co representative to show the failed springs and rquest reimbursement for the parts. met with paul berradi. he refused to acknowledge there was a problem although he did write down and document the failure. he advised me to keep receipts to claim reimbursement if ford ever did recall the rear springs. i have these papers. *ak
03/25/2002
 While driving coil spring had broke, causing vehicle to rattle.*ak
12/01/2001
 Rear coil spring is corroded, and there is noise rear end. dealership is aware of problem.*ak
09/11/19990
 Consumer received a recall letter for front coil springs. a year later, when driving he heard a loud banging noise 3 times. took vehicle to dealer, and front/back coil springs were broken. dealer said they would replace front coil springs and not rear ones. consumer felt vehicle would still be dangerous to drive if rear was not corrected. *ak
01/15/2001203/01/2000
 I consider it very unusual for a vehicle to break both front coil springs within 3 months of each other.i had both replaced at meineke muffler and brakes at a cost of approx. $230.00.*ak
04/20/20010
 While driving would hear a rocking noise coming from front of vehicle. then, stopped, and found out that coil springs were broken without a prior warning of the problem.*ak
206/01/1998
 Both rear coil springs completely broken. ford has issued an extended warranty on the front coil springs, but refuses to fix the rear springs. i have conducted much research and have learned that this is a widespread problem with the 1995 mystique. failure to fix the springs may result in a punctured tire.
09/08/2000104/01/1996
 Potential for accident if broken spring tears tire. dealer's technician estimates that he has seen five similar failures on mystiques in the past year. *ak
04/09/2000
 Suspension bolts & coil springs had rusted through & broke. happened while driving vehicle. had no warning of any problems. took vehicle to dealer & informed by mechanic repairs can be done. *ak
03/07/2000203/01/1998
 Both rear springs broke. the car is only 5 years old. the heaviest items ever carried were 3 bags of groceries. i received a letter from ford motor company in 1999 regarding the possible failure of the front coil springs. i requested they be replaced at the time before failure and possible accident but ford wouldnt do it. these springs must be made of bad steel. my husband is a machinist/tool and diemaker and looked at the broken springs and can tell they are cheap steel. it cost us over $400.00 to get the car fixed. i want to write to ford motors regarding this matter, who do i write to,at what address
04/28/1999
 The front coil springs came through the left front tire, causing tire to go flat immediately, and vehicle became uncontrollable. dealer would only repair front coil springs if there is a break & nothing else. *ak
SUSPENSION - FRONT - STABILIZER BAR
08/10/1998205/08/1997
 Owner noticed squeaking noise, later learned noise was result of broken stabilizer bar at the bolts.
SUSPENSION - FRONT - WHEEL BEARING
04/09/2000
 Suspension bolts & coil springs had rusted through & broke. happened while driving vehicle. had no warning of any problems. took vehicle to dealer & informed by mechanic repairs can be done. *ak
SUSPENSION - REAR
01/31/20051
 While backing out of the garage a loud banging noise was heard coming from the rear. driver was able to pull the vehicle back into the garage. then, driver contacted dealer for an appointment. *ak
06/15/2002109/01/2099
 We have had to replace the alternator 4 times in the last 3 years, all at our expenses. our daughter was driving on i-90/94 in wisconsin, at 70 mph, when her car lost power and she had to get over to the shoulder. ford thinks they have solved the problem by replacing some circuit board component. in august, 2001 the front, right coil spring broke and had to be replaced. later we found that we had not been contacted about the recall on it. one year later a rear coil spring also broke right off and had to be replaced but the rear coils were not under recall so we had to pay for that ourselves. we believe it was inferior materials because we have never had a vehicle before, of any make or model where the coils springs rusted and broke off. dt
11/01/2001
 Motor kept overheating and was caused by cooling system not functioning properly, also the right passenger spring was replaced prior to my purchase, are these springs faulty? i paid $1100 for the hgeads and my car is in the shop and i am getting an estimate for the repair of the spring.
07/01/1998
 Loud clunk in the right rear sping when any weight is in the back seat. contacted ford company, who has a extended warranty on the front springs. i was informed that they had no such coverage for the rear spring, although the spring are the same and can experience the same corresion.
08/15/1997308/13/1995
 Rear suspension system continually making noise, several repair attempts however not rectified. mjs
SUSPENSION - REAR - SPRINGS
05/15/2001205/01/1998
 After having my front coil springs replaced last year, i now find that both rear coils have also broken. the manufacturer tells me it can assume no responsibility in this matter even though it had recalled the front coils for defective material. *ak
09/19/20002
 Consumer heard loud clunk when driving with any weight in the back of the seat, dealer diagnosed that two rear coil springs were broken, consumer requests reimbursement. *slc
 Both rear coil springs have broken. please provide further detail.*ak
202/01/1995
 Both rear coil springs broken. nlm
05/20/1999
 The rear coil broke. had taken to dealer & was informed the parts are on back order. would be notified owner when parts were available. *ak
SUSPENSION - REAR - SPRINGS - COIL SPRINGS
10/30/2003135000210/29/2003
 Both rear springs on the 1995 mercury mystique broke in several places. front springs are recalled as defective. rear coil springs are the same part number and manufacture as the front. how can one be recalled and not the other when they are the same item and manufacture. this is very irresponsible on the part of mercury. *la
SUSPENSION - REAR - SPRINGS - LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY
08/28/2000110/01/1995
 Right rear coil spring broke for no apparent reason other than defective materials. vehicle never overloaded. other similar failures noted in nhtsa database. manufacturer refuses acknowledge defect.
03/07/2000203/01/1998
 Both rear springs broke. the car is only 5 years old. the heaviest items ever carried were 3 bags of groceries. i received a letter from ford motor company in 1999 regarding the possible failure of the front coil springs. i requested they be replaced at the time before failure and possible accident but ford wouldnt do it. these springs must be made of bad steel. my husband is a machinist/tool and diemaker and looked at the broken springs and can tell they are cheap steel. it cost us over $400.00 to get the car fixed. i want to write to ford motors regarding this matter, who do i write to,at what address
07/07/1999
 Heater blower switch overheated and melted the harness. also, rear door latch and acutator broke, causing door to be inoperative, and the rear coil springs corroded and broke. please provide further information. *ak