Reliability
Mercury

Mystique (2000)

2000 · Compact Sedan · 3 engines
63 NHTSA Complaints
5 Recalls
0 Fire Reports
7 Crash Reports
Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

7.6 / 10

Reliability score

Fewer owner complaints than similar compact sedans

A score of 7.0 means as many complaints as similar vehicles. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 17 powertrain complaints. A typical compact sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 20.

Scores this high have held: three years on they had moved 0.2 points in the typical case.

Breakdown
Complaints overall17 complaints against about 20 for similar vehicles
7.6
Last three years
n/aNot enough data
Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced
n/aNot enough data
Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating
n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is 7.0, as many complaints as similar vehicles. A line shows a number once similar vehicles would draw at least 5 of its complaints (20 for the last three years).

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

Every complaint of any kind (brakes, airbags, electrical and the rest) whose VIN names the engine, across all model years. The score above counts only engine, transmission and drivetrain complaints, so its figures for the same engine are smaller. Fire, injury and death figures count complaints that report one.

2.0-I4-Gas

2.0L 4-cyl / 130 hp
22 complaints 22.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

other
6
body
6
engine
4
cooling
4
fuel system
2

2.5-V6-Gas

2.5L 6-cyl / 170 hp
21 complaints 21.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

other
6
body
5
fuel system
4
electrical
3
engine
2

Mercury Mystique Unidentified Engine

19 complaints 19.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

body
7
safety systems
4
electrical
3
transmission
3
engine
2
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

3.0-V6-Gas

3.0L 6-cyl / 200 hp
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

suspension
1

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Mercury Mystique, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Body/Trim: 18 owner complaints
Engine: 8 owner complaints
Cooling System: 8 owner complaints
Fuel System: 7 owner complaints
Electrical System: 7 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2000 Mercury Mystique

On a used 2000 Mercury Mystique, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the body and structure (18), the engine (8) and the cooling system (8). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-09. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

  1. Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 18 owner complaints on the 2000 Mercury Mystique about the body and structure.
  2. Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 8 owner complaints on the 2000 Mercury Mystique about the engine, all engines combined.
  3. With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 8 owner complaints on the 2000 Mercury Mystique about the cooling system, all engines combined.
  4. Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 7 owner complaints on the 2000 Mercury Mystique about the fuel system, all engines combined.
  5. Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 7 owner complaints on the 2000 Mercury Mystique about the electrical system.
Open the full inspection checklist for the 2000 Mercury Mystique

Recalls (5)

08E033000Apr 14, 2008serious
Suspension

FEDERAL 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.

06E022000Mar 13, 2006serious
Service Brakes

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.

00V228001Aug 18, 2000serious
Seat Belts

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."

00V075000Mar 9, 2000serious
Service Brakes

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). A PRESSURE CONSCIOUS REDUCING VALVE (PCRV) IN THE REAR BRAKES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CORROSION AND RESULT IN MALFUNCTION, WHEN OPERATED IN AREAS THAT USE SALT COMPOUNDS ON THE ROADWAY FOR DE-ICING OR DUST CONTROL.

99V361000Dec 29, 1999cosmetic
Equipment

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN INCORRECT LABEL WAS INSTALLED ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR. THIS LABEL CONTAINS INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ACTIVATION OF THE CHILDPROOF SAFETY LOCKS.

Alternatives in Compact Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2000-2000 Mercury Mystique complaints?

Owners have filed 63 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2000 Mercury Mystique. The systems they name most often are the body and trim, the engine and the cooling system.

Is the 2000-2000 Mercury Mystique a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 63 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2000 Mercury Mystique. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2000 Mercury Mystique have?

NHTSA has 63 owner complaints on file for the 2000-2000 Mercury Mystique as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2000-2000 Mercury Mystique?

NHTSA lists 5 recalls covering some 2000-2000 Mercury Mystique vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Mercury Mystique?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the body and trim, the engine and the cooling system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the Mystique have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2000 Mercury Mystique. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 63 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-10-18.

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