AI Damage1991 Mercury Capri: common problems
Owners of the 1991 Mercury Capri filed 30 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 30
- involving a crash
- 3
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 20% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 20% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 17% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 13% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 13% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 10% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel system 7% of all complaints
- 8 Seats 3% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 6 complaints (20% of all).
- Powertrain: 6 complaints (20% of all).
- Air bags: 5 complaints (17% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (13% of all).
- Structure: 4 complaints (13% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.6 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 1.6 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 30 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Consumer's son drove and was involved in a head-on collision, and air bags did not deploy. Consumer was slightly injured.
After colliding head on with guard rail, air bag did not deploy. Tt
Driving, then coming to a stop or slowing down, when suddenly the engine stops running, and will not re-start. At first it restarted after about 4 hours. Next when it had happened it did not restart until overnight rest. The it started right up and ran for several days when the same thing had happened again.
Two ford dealers and two independent service providers have told me unless it stalls while they have it they can not fix it- it is a sensor or something which doesn't show on the computer code self check scan.
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.
Consumer had 4 transmissions replaced since 1996. Cause of premature failure is unknown. Also, airbag light stays on.
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.
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 6,849 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 19% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Capri has 8 complaints (6 years in the data). This year has 30, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Mercury Capri?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, powertrain, air bags. Total complaints: 30. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: windows, sunroof (13%), airbags did not deploy (10%), airbag warning light (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1991 Mercury Capri?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1991 Mercury Capri from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1991 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.