I own a Mercury Mystique 1996 and the engine harness has a manufacturing problem. The wires covering gets damaged with time because it is exposed to the heat from the engine, causing the wires to peel. When two peeled sections join, a short circuit is generated and that is were major problems begin: high fuel consumption, jerks, lack of response on uphill roads, overdrive activation, among many others. And this problem must be corrected from scratch; Ford is responsible for all the failures. I do not recommend it.
I have the same problem with a Mystique 96 which has barely got 50000 miles. I've thought about replacing the harness, but I do not know where to buy it.