Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM
99B0603/01/1999604854Concerns with coolant leaks under severe operating conditions. *tt05/17/1999
98251012/21/1998603648Information regarding revised water pump replacement procedure. *yc03/01/1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
03151408/04/20039910510003193The malfunction indicator lamp (mil) may be illuminated and diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p1380, p1381, p1383, and/or p0340 may be stored in memory. *tt10/10/2003
1435509/01/2000618630Information pertaining to duratec oil pan investigation. *jb04/18/2001
1346811/01/19996092221Some vehicles equipped with 2.0l engine may exhibit a timing belt shredding or timing belt striking the front cover. *tt11/28/2000
745111/01/1999610829Some vehicles equipped with 2.0l engine may exhibit a timing belt shredding or timing belt striking the front cover. *tt05/15/2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
1602807/01/2002636219Some vehicles equipped with a 2.5l engine may exhibit multiple misfire diagnostic trouble codes with no driveability concerns noted. *tt11/06/2002
0124612/10/2001630515Engine oil system priming procedures, service tips for reports of premature engine failure. *tt04/18/2002
021401/21/2002630001Some engine assemblies with aluminum cylinder heads repaired in-vehile have been found to leak coolant and/or oil from the cylinder head gasket area. *tt04/11/2002
0120510/15/2001627927Some vehicles may exhibit vacuum or air leaks in the intake manifold and / or engine system causing diagnostic trouble codes p0171 and or p0174. *tt02/26/2002
014703/05/2001619424Subject regarding engine oil recommendations for use in 2001 vehicles - sae 5w-20 motor oil. *tt05/30/2001
0018609/04/2000618595Vehicles may experience no start condition when the wiper switch is in the intermittent or low-speed setting during vehicle start-up. *jb04/17/2001
011401/22/2001618069Experiencing a spark knock or pre-ignition condition on vehicles with an automatic or manual transmission during steady cruise driving or under light acceleration. *tt04/03/2001
1286606/01/19996092023Concerns with slight engine rpm flare on a 2-3 upshift at altitude. *tt11/17/2000
1217411/01/1998613224Some vehicles may exhibit a hard start/long crank, cold start stall, cold rough idle concern. *mjs06/19/2000
1383001/01/2000612885Some vehicles equipped with a 2.5l engine and built after may 5, 1999 may exhibit an intermittent hard/no start, rough idle or hesitation after a hot soak of approxinately 30 minutes. *mjs06/13/2000
833403/01/2000612760Some vehicles equipped with a 2.5 engine and built after may 25, 1999 may exhibit an intermittent hard / no start, rough idle or hesitation after a hot soak of approximately 30 minutes. *tt06/12/2000
1172507/01/1999610744Some vehicles may exhibit a knocking or clunking sound during rapid acceleration / deceleration as when letting off and putting your foot down on the accelerator quickly. *tt05/12/2000
657607/01/1999610694Service tip information regarding engine oil leak diagnosis. *tt05/11/2000
1338610/01/1999609662Information on investigating hard start / no start conditions accompanied by overfueling in ambients below 32f/0c, on vehicles with vct equipped 2.0l zetec engines. *tt04/05/2000
1288006/01/1999606913Experiencing slight engine rpm flare on a 2-3 upshift at altitude. *tt09/07/1999
645706/01/1999606852Some vehicles may have a slight engine rpm flare on a 2-3 upshift at altitude. *tt09/03/1999
9913806/28/1999606506A rough idle, stalling at an idle, reduced power and / or malfunction indicator lamp (mil) with diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p1381 and p1383 may be stored im memory on some vehicles. *tt08/26/1999
9981605/03/1999606420Ford motor company now recommends sae 5w-30 viscosity grade for servicing any ford gasoline-powered vehicle regardless of model year. *tt08/19/1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM
1717409/01/200310004066Malfunction indicator lamp on and diagnostic trouble codes p0171/p0174 or p1072/p0175 stored in memory or as hard faults. hesitation, lack of power or runs rough condition. *tt11/17/2003
1459601/01/2001617972Exhibiting one or multiple studs break on exhaust flanges. *jb04/02/2001
0025212/11/2000616819On some vehicles, an objectionable exhaust, sulfur, or rotten egg odor following aggressive driving, such as full-throttle acceleration may occur. *tt03/13/2001
731110/01/19996090889Some vehicles with cd4e automatic transacle may exhibit an objectionable sulfur or rotten egg odor from the exhaust following aggressive driving. *tt03/31/2000
9923711/15/19996090162Objectionable exhaust, sulfur, or rotten egg odor aggressive driving on vehicles with 2.5l engine and cd4e transaxle. *tt03/09/2000
98201010/12/1998603695Experiencing a buzzing or rattling noise from the exhaust system. *yc03/02/1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL
98231011/23/1998603724Mass air flow (maf)- sensor contamination- service tip. *ak03/03/1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
1539011/01/2001630408Some vehicles may exhibit a check engine light and/or egr diagnostic trouble codes 332, p0401, p1407 (lackof egr flow). *tt04/17/2002
1487705/01/2001620202Some vehicles may illuminate the malfunction indicator lamp or run rough after the catalyst is removed and / or replaced. this may be due to vacuum leaks as a result of tolerance stackup within the exhaust / egr / intake system.07/20/2001

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
06/10/200748246104/04/2000
 Tl*the contact owns a 1999 mercury mystique. the contact noticed moisture in the driver's side headlight. in addition, the driver's side tail light dripped water into the trunk when it was opened. she noticed that the moisture was always present, especially after it rained. the vehicle has not been diagnosed. the current mileage is 51,504 and failure mileage was approximately 48,246. updated 07/07/08. *lj the passenger side seat belt was inoperable, the timing belt was replaced. updated
08/09/200588118407/14/2001
 We purchased this vehicle in 2001. we were told that an elderly woman got the accelerator stuck and she ran into a tree. thus, they put a brand new engine in the vehicle. so, we got this great new car with only 1,000 miles on the new engine. we have since replaced the idler pulley three times and the tension pulley once. ford says that they knew that this is a continual problem with these cars once the head has been removed. i can't believe they would risk stranding people instead of taking responsibility for fixing their problem. for example: ford had my car for 2 weeks while i was on vacation. they fixed the idler pulley, the serpentine belt and cover, and the oil pump. that same day i got my car back i was driving home and not even 12 miles from town the car broke down again and it was the exact same problem they had my car in the repair shop for 2 weeks. furthermore, my dash has also peeled back about 3 to 4 inches, and it does obstruct your driving view and also disrupts your defrost. we were never notified of a recall, either by phone or mail, of this problem. when we acquired about it to the ford dealership they said that the recall time limit has expired. *jb
09/10/2003500001
 Check engine light and abs light came on/off, and vehicle stopped in the middle of traffic.*ak
02/15/200060000
 I have not had any of these problems repaired. my mechanic said it would cost more than the car is worth, and even worse, it isn't paid for yet!!!!
08/01/2001405/01/1999
 While driving at all speeds, the vehicle will stall, without warning. the consumer is having the ignition module replaced at her on expense, due to a similar problem that other models were experiencing, however consumer is not sure if the stalling problem is due to the faulty part. *jb *scc
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
03/29/200750000102/01/1999
 Tl*the contact owns a 1999 mercury mystique. the contact heard a loud grinding noise coming from the front end of the vehicle and felt a vibration while idling. the mechanic stated that the engine mounts needed to be changed. the contact stated that the vehicle would jerk to the right when stopping and jerked to the left when he accelerated. as of july 27, 2007, the vehicle has not been repaired. the current mileage was 57,000 and failure mileage was 50,000. updated 02-01-08. *kb the consumer has since traded in the vehicle. updated
02/22/200456002
 While driving engine and overdrive lights illuminated. *ak
11/23/2003280001
 While driving at any speed, the vehicle stalled in traffic. the vehicle is currently at the dealer. the mechanic was unable to determine or duplicate the problem. *jb the consumer talked to another consumer who experienced the same problem and the problem was with the module that controlled the computer module (possibly the ignition module) and a flight recorder was added and found the intermittent problem. (the problem hadn't been experience since per the consumer who experienced this same problem, not the consumer of this letter) *sc
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
05/05/20001
 The car has been in the dealership service dept more than i seem to have it..for many different problems. needed a new engine at 23k,airconditioner broken at 24k,the car shakes and vibrates had it in the shop many times still shakes! rotors are pulsing again had them turned twice already,needs to go in this aug for a peeling clearcoat correction on the passenger side 2 days to paint..and the car only has 26k help! and ford has ben terrible with dealing with problems and never provides loaners even when they had my car for 3 weeks!*ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
09/01/200378000106/01/2000
 While driving, the vehicle made a squealing noise. the dealer determined that timing belt pulley was the cause of the problem. *ak the rear brakes had to be replaced, including the drums due to an oil leak. *jb
05/27/2002404/01/2001
 I own both a 1998 and 1999 mercury mystique with the 2.5l v6 engine. when traveling through standing water or even in a heavy rainstorm the power steering will fail, the generator failure light will light, and the serpentine belt will whine. this can last from 30 sec to a few minutes, and requires one to stop driving as the car is no longer steerable. i have taken my 1998 to the dealer twice for this and they have replaced the belt and tensioner twice. this has not changed the problem, and the dealer called the manufacturer for help and they had no further information or suggestions. i feel that this is a design flaw for this specific engine which could result in a serious accident if evasive maneuvers were required while driving thru standing water. i note two other similar complaints on your website. ford should design a fix for this important safety issue.*ak
 When driving over water or a puddle water will get into drivebelt and cause loss of power. vehicle has no splash guard. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM
12/28/20081
 My husband and i was driving in traffic from an appointment and all of a sudden the car starts smoking within a quick second the front left side burst into flames, electrical windows wouldn't work and the brakes failed, the we had to ride traffic until we could move over to the curve at this time the emergency brake had to be used in order to stop the car and i had to move myself out on the drivers side. *tr
02/15/200060000
 I have not had any of these problems repaired. my mechanic said it would cost more than the car is worth, and even worse, it isn't paid for yet!!!!
 Fumes from exhaust were coming into passenger's compartment. dealer and manufactuer have been notified. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
11/28/200576000312/14/1998
 My check engine light came on and the diagnostic code says that the catalytic converter was defective, even though it is supposed to be covered by an 8 year 80,000 mile warranty i have been stone walled by earnhardt ford in arizona in getting it fixed. i have already had to replace 4 o2 sensors at my expense in the last 6 months. when my engine light came on the first time i took the car into my mechanic who said the code was for the catalytic converter and that it would be covered by my warranty so i should contact a ford dealer. i called a ford dealer and they said call a mercury dealer, when i called the mercury dealer they said the light had to be on or they wouldn't fix the problem. the light came back on 2 weeks later and i took it to earnhardt mercury in tempe az who checked the light and said that it was the catalytic converter but they hat to reprogram the pcm to confirm the diagnosis and that they couldn't do it at that dealer and shipped my car to earnhardt ford in chandler who said they were to busy to reprogram the pcm and had to keep my car overnight. they then said that i would have to wait until the light comes on again before they would be able to order parts to fix it. so i will have to leave my car with them a 3rd time. so far they still have my car for a 2nd day and i cannot get a call back from the manager of the service dept. *jb