1982 Mercury LYNX: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
3 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1982 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 3 complaints (66.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 1 | 33.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | 1 |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 1 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan: 1; Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 1; Structure:Frame And Members: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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. 3 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 2 |
1995: 1; 1996: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
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.
Owner report 483674 · 1995-09-01 (September 1, 1995)
REAR STRUT UNIBODY TOP SUPPOTS RUSTED, CAUSING REAR WHEELS TO FALL INWARD INTO CAR, DISABLING VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483674 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504192 · 1996-05-09 (May 9, 1996)
IGNITION SWITCH SMOKED. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504192 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 984551 · 1996-05-16 (May 16, 1996)
UPON TURNING ON IGNITION SMOKE STARTED COMING UP FROM UNDER STEERING COLUMN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 984551 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
82V045000 · Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
Reported: 1982-05-11 (May 11, 1982)
ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, A THERMAL LIMITER IN THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR CIRCUIT OF THE AIR CONDITIONER/HEATER ASSEMBLY MAY NOT FUNCTION AS INTENDED. IF THE BLOWER MOTOR BECOMES JAMMED WHEN THE SYSTEM IS OPERATING IN THE MEDIUM-LOW BLOWER SPEED, THE RESISTOR COILS CAN OVERHEAT CAUSING MELTING AND POSSIBLE IGNITION.
Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE RESISTOR ASSEMBLY WITH AN IMPROVED VERSION WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
NHTSA campaign record ↗83V013000 · Seat Belts
Reported: 1983-02-17 (February 17, 1983)
THE PORTION OF THE ROOF ABOVE FRAME (RAIL) TO WHICH THE SHOULDER BELT IS ANCHORED MAY HAVE A SLOT THAT CAN COMPROMISE THE STRENGTH OF THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHOR UNDER CERTAIN SEVERE LOADS. (THE SUSPECT AREA IS NOT VISIBLE.) CONSEQUENTLY, SOME VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL MAY NOT MEET THE 3000 POUND ANCHORAGE STRENGTH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES".
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REINFORCE THE ROOF RAIL INNER PANEL SURROUNDING THE DRAINAGE HOLE AT NO COST TO OWNER.
NHTSA campaign record ↗83V063000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
Reported: 1983-06-22 (June 22, 1983)
DOOR LOCK PILLARS COULD DEVELOP FATIGUE CRACKS FROM NORMAL USAGE OF DOOR, AT THE POINT WHERE DOOR LATCH STRIKER REINFORCEMENTS ARE ATTACHED.
Remedy: ANY DAMAGED LOCK PILLARS WILL BE REPAIRED AND REINFORCEMENTS WILL BE INSTALLED BETWEEN THE DOOR LATCH STRIKER AND LOCK PILLARS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗84V071000 · Seats
Reported: 1984-06-15 (June 15, 1984)
SEAT FRAME STRUCTURE COULD SEVER FRONT SEAT BELTS IF VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, DEPENDING ON FORCE OF IMPACT.
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL A MOLDED SPACER BETWEEN REINFORCEMENT PLATES AND LOWER DECORATIVE PLASTIC COVER.
NHTSA campaign record ↗85V067000 · Seat Belts:Rear/Other
Reported: 1985-05-21 (May 21, 1985)
REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS MAY ALLOW TWISTED WEBBING TO ENTER THE RETRACTOR HOUSING AND JAM THE RETRACTOR. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A JAMMED RETRACTOR WOULD INTERFERE WITH WEBBING RETRACTION AND WITHDRAWAL. THIS WILL DISCOURAGE SEAT BELT USAGE.
Remedy: A CLIP WILL BE INSERTED INTO THE RETRACTOR HOUSING WEBBING TO PREVENT JAMMING.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
3 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.
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.
| Component | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 266.7% | 125.0% | 133.3%ODI 872845WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE WOULD STALL. DEALER HAS REPLACED IGNITION MODULE FOUR TIMES. *AK DEALER REPLLACED IGNITION MODULE FOUR TIMES A T THE OWNER'S EXPENCE. *YH | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 250.0% | 133.3% | 120.0%ODI 895518VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. VEHICLE BEEN AT DEALER SHOP ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. *AK *SLC | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 240.0%ODI 983837UPON PARKING AND WALKING IN HOME, DRIVER HEARD HORN AND SAW WINDSHIELD WIPERS MOTION. VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 133.3% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 983892SMOKE WAS SEEN FROM THE STEERING COLUMN ONCE WHILE BEING DRIVEN. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 483674REAR STRUT UNIBODY TOP SUPPOTS RUSTED, CAUSING REAR WHEELS TO FALL INWARD INTO CAR, DISABLING VEHICLE. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 984837FRAME CRACKED NEAR THE WHEEL IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. *AK |
| Electrical System | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 804202ALTERNATOR WIRING HARNESS HAS CAUGHT ON FIRE TWICE, ONCE WHILE DRIVING AND THE SECOND TIME WHILE PARKED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 804202ALTERNATOR WIRING HARNESS HAS CAUGHT ON FIRE TWICE, ONCE WHILE DRIVING AND THE SECOND TIME WHILE PARKED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 880449WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WHERE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT THE TFI MOUDLE HAD FAILED, CONSUMER HAS HAD TO REPLACE 3 TIMES. *AK *TT | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
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 | 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.
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
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 (partial) | 0 | 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.
1986: 0 complaints · 1987: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1987 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| 1987 | 3 | 1 | 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 | Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | Structure:Frame And Members |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | — | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | 1 | — | 1 | 0 |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 1 | 1 | — | 0 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
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.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.