Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1995 vs 1996 MERCURY MYSTIQUE

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 371 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▼ 44.7% fewer reports in the equal exposure window

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table

Component	1995 share	1996 share	Share change
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	1.2%	6.5%	▲ 5.3 pts larger share
ENGINE	20.1%	15.8%	▼ 4.4 pts smaller share
SUSPENSION	8.4%	4.9%	▼ 3.5 pts smaller share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	17.4%	20.7%	▲ 3.2 pts larger share
VISIBILITY	3.3%	6.0%	▲ 2.7 pts larger share
STEERING	6.0%	3.8%	▼ 2.2 pts smaller share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	5.1%	3.3%	▼ 1.9 pts smaller share
FUEL SYSTEM	7.2%	6.0%	▼ 1.2 pts smaller share
WHEELS	0.9%	not reported	▼ 0.9 pts smaller share
SEAT BELTS	1.8%	1.1%	▼ 0.7 pts smaller share
PARKING BRAKE	0.6%	not reported	▼ 0.6 pts smaller share
STRUCTURE	2.7%	3.3%	▲ 0.6 pts larger share
TIRES	not reported	0.5%	▲ 0.5 pts larger share
AIR BAGS	3.3%	3.3%	▼ 0.0 pts smaller share
SERVICE BRAKES	5.4%	5.4%	▲ 0.0 pts larger share
POWER TRAIN	11.4%	11.4%	◆ 0.0 pts unchanged
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	79.9%	82.6%	▲ 2.7 pts larger share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

1995 12

Campaign components: AIR BAGS, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, POWER TRAIN, SEAT BELTS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, and VISIBILITY

1996 10

Campaign components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, and VISIBILITY

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21