U.S. public vehicle records

1973 Mercury CAPRI: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

0 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

Not available median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1973 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

No owner complaints are recorded for this selection. A complaint can name multiple components.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

No usable records for this chart.

No records.

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

No usable failure mileage is recorded. 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

No usable records for this chart.

No records.

Pattern summary

There is not enough complaint evidence to summarize patterns.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Recall history

3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

78V176000 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Linkages

Reported: 1978-08-15 (August 15, 1978)

THE WIPER ARMS COULD SEPARATE FROM THE PIVOT SHAFTS, RENDERING THE WIPERS INOPERATIVE.

Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARMS, PIVOT ASSEMBLIES AND CERTAIN WIPER LINKAGE COMPONENTS WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

79V268000 · Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner

Reported: 1979-12-20 (December 20, 1979)

THE RECLINING SEAT ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE A POOR QUALITY OR A MISSING WELD IN THE SEAT BACK FRAME. THIS COULD CAUSE ADDITIONAL LOADING ON OTHER SUPPORTIVE ELEMENTS IN THE SEAT WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOOSENING AND EVENTUAL BREAKAGE OF THE SEAT BACK.

Remedy: DEALER WILL MAKE THE NECESSARY STRUCTURAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE DRIVER"S SIDE SEAT BACK.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

79V269000 · Power Train:Manual Transmission:Floor Shift Assembly

Reported: 1979-12-20 (December 20, 1979)

THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR LEVER MAY BREAK DURING SHIFTING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GEAR SHIFT LEVERS ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNERS.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

0 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

UnavailableUsable mileage0 / 0 records

UnavailableValid incident date0 / 0 records

UnavailableValid filing date0 / 0 records

UnavailableOrdered incident and filing dates0 / 0 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1981	1983	1984	1985	1991	1992	1993	1994
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	413.3% ODI 800289 WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, STEPPED ON GAS PEDAL, FELT AS IF IN NEUTRAL, CHECKED, STILL IN OVER DRIVE, ENGINE STILL RUNNING MAKING HIGH PITCH NOISE, COASTED OFF HIGHWAY, SHIFTED TO PARK, NO OTHER GEARS WORKED *AK Look up ODI 800289 at NHTSA ↗	114.3% ODI 508532 TRANSMISSION BURNED OUT/FAILED TWICE. Look up ODI 508532 at NHTSA ↗	120.0% ODI 538084 TRANSMISSION FAILURE. Look up ODI 538084 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	310.0% ODI 889073 WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN FOR SERVICE DEALER NOTICED A RIP IN CONVERTIBLE TOP. CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A SMALL RIP IN LEFT BACK CORNER OF CONVERTIBLE TOP. *AK Look up ODI 889073 at NHTSA ↗	228.6% ODI 604409 ENGINE FAILED. NLM Look up ODI 604409 at NHTSA ↗	120.0% ODI 10060091 · 145,000 mi 1993 MERCURY CAPRI'S CONVERTABLE TOP HANDLES BROKE OFF MAKING THE TOP UNUSABLE. *AK Look up ODI 10060091 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	3100.0% ODI 10157512 · 28,000 mi GARAGE / HOUSE FIRE CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH IN 1985 MERCURY CAPRI ASC MCLAREN. *JB Look up ODI 10157512 at NHTSA ↗	13.3% ODI 854010 TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC NO PARTS AVAILABLE FOR NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH. THE PART WAS DISCONTINUED BY MANUFACTURER. THE SWITCH IS USED TO PUT VEHICLE IN EITHER PARK, NEUTRAL OR DRIVE. *AK Look up ODI 854010 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	26.7% ODI 506592 ENGINE FIRE. *AW Look up ODI 506592 at NHTSA ↗	114.3% ODI 604409 ENGINE FAILED. NLM Look up ODI 604409 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 524063 VEHICLE FIRE. Look up ODI 524063 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags:Frontal	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	310.0% ODI 807483 THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER HITTING A DEER AT 55MPH AND NOW THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO BLINK ON AND OFF. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK Look up ODI 807483 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	310.0% ODI 731456 THE PULLEY END OF CRANKSHAFT BROKE OFF ON THE INSIDE LANE OF THE SOUTH BOUND SIDE OF IH 35 AT MOORE, OK. THE END OF THE SHAFT AND THE PULLEY SPUN ACROSS THE NORTH BOUND SIDE OF I-35 BETWEEN CARS. NO ONE WAS INJURED AS THE CARS WERE ABLE TO AVOID HITTING THE SPINNING DISC. HOWEVER, THIS COULD HAVE CAUSE A DEADLY CRASH ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. VERY FEW MODELS OF THE CAR WERE SOLD IN THE US. THEREFORE PARTS ARE NOT READILY AVAILABLE. I HAVE NOT REPAIRED THE AUTO AND AM CONSIDERING SALVAGING IT OUT SO THAT NO ONE GETS HURT WITH IT. *AK Look up ODI 731456 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System:Ignition	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	13.3% ODI 964921 CONSUMER WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND CAR CUT OFF . TT Look up ODI 964921 at NHTSA ↗	114.3% ODI 809849 THE OWNER WAS DRIVING AND SMOKE STARTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, THAN THE VEHICLE WENT UP IN FLAMES. THE ENTIRE IGNITION SYSTEM IN THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED. *AK Look up ODI 809849 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Vehicle Speed Control	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	13.3% ODI 981217 WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED IT GETS STUCK AND KEEPS ACCELERATING. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK Look up ODI 981217 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 10235442 FRED MARTIN FORD 4701 MAHONING AVE YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO [phone removed] REFUSED TO COMPLETE SAFETY RECALL FOR THE SPEED CONTROL ON MY 1994 MERCURY CAPRI. THEY SAY THEY ARE NOT QUALIFIED TO DO THE RECALL BUT DID WORK ON THE FIRST PART OF THE RECALL (DISCONNECTING THE SWITCH) BUT REFUSE TO REPLACE THE PART SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL. I CALLED TODAY (JULY23RD) AND WAS TOLD WE DON'T WORK ON MERCURY VEHICLES AFTER THEY HAD ALREADY WORKED ON IT. *TR Look up ODI 10235442 at NHTSA ↗

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
No usable records for this analysis.

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

1993: 0 complaints · 1994: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
1993	0	0	0
1994	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
1993	2	3	0
1994	2	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component
No usable records for this analysis.

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

0 patterns with matching reports.

No narratives match the published patterns.