Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
7 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 7 complaints (42.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 1 | 14.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 14.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights:Switch | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 1 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 |
Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights:Switch: 3; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 1; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 1; Fuel System, Other: 1
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. 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1999 | 4 |
| 2000 | 2 |
1995: 1; 1999: 4; 2000: 2
Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights:Switch leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns 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 provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
ENGINE FIRE, OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT. *TW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481492 at NHTSA ↗
THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHT SWITCH IS INTEGRAL TO THE TURN SIGNAL/HIGH BEAM LIGHT SWITCH ASSEMBLY. DISINTEGRATION OF THE INTERNALS OF THE HAZARD SWITCH (WHICH IS USED VERY RARELY) HAS REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY ON TWO OCCASSIONS IN THE 11 YEARS I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. FAILURE OF THIS SWITCH POSES A POTENTIAL DANGER IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY NIGHT-TIME STOP ON THE HIGHWAY.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 702408 at NHTSA ↗
THIS SWITCH ASSEMBLY IS MISDESIGNED. IT WILL NOT REMAIN FUNCTIONAL EVEN UNDER LIGHT USE AND RESULTS IN A HAZARDOUS CONDITION.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 702458 at NHTSA ↗
I OWN OR HAVE OWNED 5 DIFFERENT XR4TI'S. ALL WERE BOUGHT USED, BUT SOME WERE LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD. IN ALL CASES, THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH HAS FAILED. ITS BASIC DESIGN IS PRONE TO FAILURE BECAUSE THE PLASTIC GETS BRITTLE AND EVEN HAS A BURNED LOOK TO IT. FORD SHOULD EITHER RECALL, OR OFFER REPLACEMENT AT A REASONABLE PRICE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 703258 at NHTSA ↗
THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARDS STOP WORKING BECAUSE OF A PROBLEM WITH THE HADZARD SWITCH WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. AS SUCH THERE ARE NO HAZARDS OR TURN DIGNALS. I HAVE REPLACED THIS ONCE AND THE HAZARDS SWITCH IS GOING ON THIS TOO. I HAVE A SPARE PART BUT ON THAT ONLY THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH WORKS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE AT NIGHT OR ON THE HIGHWAY IF I BROKE DOWN NO ONE COULD SEE ME. THIS HAPPENED ONCE. LUCKILY A COP STOPPED AND PUT OUT FLARES FOR ME. THIS BRINGS ME TO MY NEXT COMPLETE. THE GAS TANK HAS A PROBLEM AND T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 706135 at NHTSA ↗
I UNDERSTAND AN IGNITION MODULE IS SUPPOSED TO LAST THE LIFETIME OF A CAR. MINE FAILED AT ABOUT 44,000 MILES, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS HURT; THE CAR STALLED AS WE WERE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT. STILL THERE CLEARLY IS A PROBLEM, AND YOU NEED TO ADDRESS IT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 734083 at NHTSA ↗
WHILE DRIVING EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED AND LET FUMES INTO VEHICLE, CONSUMER REPLACED MANIFOLD, AND IT CRACKED AGAIN. THIS WAS OWNER'S THIRD MERKUR, AND ON EACH ONES EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED. ALSO, VEHICLE HAD A/C LINES RUN DIRECTLY OVER TURBO, AND EXCESSIVE HEAT CAUSED A/C LINE TO BURST, RELEASING R12 FREON IN THE ENVIRONMENT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO EVERYONE AS WELL. CONSUMER FELT IT WAS POOR DESIGN BY MANUFACTURER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 860498 at NHTSA ↗
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
7 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
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 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights:Switch | 150.0%ODI 706140HAZARD SWITCH FAILS IN ON POSITION; TURN SIGNALS SOMETIMES DISABLED BY SAME SWITCH. | 342.9%ODI 702408THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHT SWITCH IS INTEGRAL TO THE TURN SIGNAL/HIGH BEAM LIGHT SWITCH ASSEMBLY. DISINTEGRATION OF THE INTERNALS OF THE HAZARD SWITCH (WHICH IS USED VERY RARELY) HAS REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY ON TWO OCCASSIONS IN THE 11 YEARS I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. FAILURE OF THIS SWITCH POSES A POTENTIAL DANGER IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY NIGHT-TIME STOP ON THE HIGHWAY. | 342.9%ODI 703257BOTH MERKURS I'VE OWNED HAD MECHANICAL FAILURE OF HAZARD LIGHTS SWITCH. SWITCH RARELY USED AND IS COMMON FAILURE ACCORDING TO FELLOW MERKUR OWNERS SO APPEARS TO BE MANUFACTURER DEFECT - SHODDY COMPONENT. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 703291HAZARD SWITCH FAILURE, UNABLE TO WORK SWITCH, OR TURN SIGNALS. 4 WAY BUTTON POPS OFF, UNABLE TO STAY ON, WHICH CAUSES YOUR 4 WAYS TO NOT OPERATE. FORD DOESN'T MAKE REPLACEMENTS ANYMORE. WHEN BROKEN BEFORE TURNSIGNAL DIDN'T WORK EITHER. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 114.3% | 228.6% | 133.3%ODI 823718WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY MECHANIC. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 114.3%ODI 702458THIS SWITCH ASSEMBLY IS MISDESIGNED. IT WILL NOT REMAIN FUNCTIONAL EVEN UNDER LIGHT USE AND RESULTS IN A HAZARDOUS CONDITION. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 114.3%ODI 702400HAZARD SWITCH EJECTS FROM ITS HOUSING IN TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. IT RENDERS ALL TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD FLASHERS INOPERATIVE | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 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. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 505800BATTERY LEAK, CAUSING WIRING HARNESS DEFECT/CORRODED FIRE WALL. |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 114.3%ODI 734083I UNDERSTAND AN IGNITION MODULE IS SUPPOSED TO LAST THE LIFETIME OF A CAR. MINE FAILED AT ABOUT 44,000 MILES, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS HURT; THE CAR STALLED AS WE WERE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT. STILL THERE CLEARLY IS A PROBLEM, AND YOU NEED TO ADDRESS IT.*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. |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 114.3%ODI 804858CONSUMER WAS DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY SMELLED SMOKED, PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND STOPPED, THEN SMOKE BEGIN TO COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD, SUDDENLY SHE SAW FLAMES, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO MELT. *AK CONSUMER STATES SHE SAW FIRE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN, CONSUMER STATES SMOKE WAS COMING FROM ENGINE BLOCK VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*JB | 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:Exhaust System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3% | 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.
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. | ||||
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.
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
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.
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.
1989: 1 complaints · 1990: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 1990 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 1990 | 1 | 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.
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights:Switch | Electrical System:Ignition | Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | Fuel System, Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights:Switch | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 706135THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARDS STOP WORKING BECAUSE OF A PROBLEM WITH THE HADZARD SWITCH WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. AS SUCH THERE ARE NO HAZARDS OR TURN DIGNALS. I HAVE REPLACED THIS ONCE AND THE HAZARDS SWITCH IS GOING ON THIS TOO. I HAVE A SPARE PART BUT ON THAT ONLY THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH WORKS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE AT NIGHT OR ON THE HIGHWAY IF I BROKE DOWN NO ONE COULD SEE ME. THIS HAPPENED ONCE. LUCKILY A COP STOPPED AND PUT OUT FLARES FOR ME. THIS BRINGS ME TO MY NEXT COMPLETE. THE GAS TANK HAS A PROBLEM AND T… |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1ODI 860498WHILE DRIVING EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED AND LET FUMES INTO VEHICLE, CONSUMER REPLACED MANIFOLD, AND IT CRACKED AGAIN. THIS WAS OWNER'S THIRD MERKUR, AND ON EACH ONES EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED. ALSO, VEHICLE HAD A/C LINES RUN DIRECTLY OVER TURBO, AND EXCESSIVE HEAT CAUSED A/C LINE TO BURST, RELEASING R12 FREON IN THE ENVIRONMENT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO EVERYONE AS WELL. CONSUMER FELT IT WAS POOR DESIGN BY MANUFACTURER. *AK | 0 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 860498WHILE DRIVING EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED AND LET FUMES INTO VEHICLE, CONSUMER REPLACED MANIFOLD, AND IT CRACKED AGAIN. THIS WAS OWNER'S THIRD MERKUR, AND ON EACH ONES EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED. ALSO, VEHICLE HAD A/C LINES RUN DIRECTLY OVER TURBO, AND EXCESSIVE HEAT CAUSED A/C LINE TO BURST, RELEASING R12 FREON IN THE ENVIRONMENT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO EVERYONE AS WELL. CONSUMER FELT IT WAS POOR DESIGN BY MANUFACTURER. *AK | — | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1ODI 706135THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARDS STOP WORKING BECAUSE OF A PROBLEM WITH THE HADZARD SWITCH WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. AS SUCH THERE ARE NO HAZARDS OR TURN DIGNALS. I HAVE REPLACED THIS ONCE AND THE HAZARDS SWITCH IS GOING ON THIS TOO. I HAVE A SPARE PART BUT ON THAT ONLY THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH WORKS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE AT NIGHT OR ON THE HIGHWAY IF I BROKE DOWN NO ONE COULD SEE ME. THIS HAPPENED ONCE. LUCKILY A COP STOPPED AND PUT OUT FLARES FOR ME. THIS BRINGS ME TO MY NEXT COMPLETE. THE GAS TANK HAS A PROBLEM AND T… | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
2 patterns with matching reports.
1 mentions · 14.3% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
I UNDERSTAND AN IGNITION MODULE IS SUPPOSED TO LAST THE LIFETIME OF A CAR. MINE FAILED AT ABOUT 44,000 MILES, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS HURT; THE CAR STALLED AS WE WERE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT. STILL THERE CLEARLY IS A PROBLEM, AND YOU NEED TO ADDRESS IT.*AK
\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b1 mentions · 14.3% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHT SWITCH IS INTEGRAL TO THE TURN SIGNAL/HIGH BEAM LIGHT SWITCH ASSEMBLY. DISINTEGRATION OF THE INTERNALS OF THE HAZARD SWITCH (WHICH IS USED VERY RARELY) HAS REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY ON TWO OCCASSIONS IN THE 11 YEARS I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. FAILURE OF THIS SWITCH POSES A POTENTIAL DANGER IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY NIGHT-TIME STOP ON THE HIGHWAY.
\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b