Mercury Lynx problems
The North American version of the Ford Escort is a range of cars that was sold by Ford from the 1981 to 2003 model years. The direct successor of the Ford Pinto, the Escort also largely overtook the role of the European-imported Ford Fiesta as the smallest vehicle in the Ford model line in North America. Produced across three generations, the first generation was a subcompact; the latter two generations were compact cars. Becoming highly successful in the marketplace, the Escort became the best-selling car in the United States after 1982, a position it would hold for much of the 1980s.
Produced across three generations, the Escort was the first world car developed by Ford, with the first-generation American Escort designed alongside Ford of Europe, who transitioned the Escort Mk III to front-wheel drive. During its production, the Escort also underwent a wide use of platform sharing and rebranding. The first generation served as the basis of the longer-wheelbase Ford Tempo/Mercury Topaz, the two-seat Ford EXP/Mercury LN7 and was rebranded as the Mercury Lynx. The second generation was introduced for 1991, growing into the compact segment. Moving away from a shared design with Ford of Europe, the Escort now shared a platform with the Mazda 323 and sharing a body with the Ford Laser (a model line sold in Asia and Oceania); the Mercury Lynx was replaced by the Mercury Tracer. For 1997, the third generation served as an extensive redesign of the previous-generation sedan; the Escort ZX2 two-door was introduced, with the Mercury Tracer adopting a similar redesign.
Ford introduced the Ford Focus in North America for 2000 as its third "world car", phasing it in as the successor of the Escort. After 2000, the four-door Escort was moved primarily to fleet sales (with the coupe remaining available); production ended entirely after the 2002 model year. In contrast to the first-generation American Escort and Escort Mk III of Ford of Europe (and the Mondeo/Contour and Mercury Mystique), the Focus adopted a much larger degree of commonality between its European and North American variants, in effect, becoming the original world car Ford had originally envisioned with the Escort.
During its entire production, the Escort was produced by Wayne Stamping & Assembly in (Wayne, Michigan) and the first generation was also produced by Edison Assembly in (Edison, New Jersey), San Jose Assembly Plant in (Milpitas, California), and Oakville Assembly in (Oakville, Ontario, Canada) while the second and third generations were also produced by Hermosillo Stamping and Assembly in (Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico).
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Mercury Lynx model years
Common Mercury Lynx problems
Mercury Lynx cars, produced from 1981 to 1990, are known for their fuel efficiency and affordability. However, they have some common problems that owners have reported, particularly with the diesel engine option.
One of the most significant issues with the Mercury Lynx diesel engine is the cast aluminum cylinder head, which can crack or warp if the engine overheats. This issue is particularly prevalent in the 2.0-liter OHC diesel engine found in the Lynx from 1983 to 1987. Overheating can lead to blown head gaskets or cracked heads, which can be costly to repair. To avoid this problem, it is essential to maintain the cooling system and ensure that the engine does not overheat.
Another common issue with the Mercury Lynx is the availability of parts. While some new parts may still be available from Mazda and Ford dealers, major components are no longer available. Everyday parts can be found at local auto parts stores, but finding specific Mercury-specific parts may be challenging.
Despite these issues, the Mercury Lynx has some positive attributes. The diesel engine option provides excellent fuel efficiency, with owners reporting 45-50 mpg easily.
What years were the Mercury Lynx made?
The Mercury Lynx is a compact car sold by Ford, it is similar to the American Ford Escort, it was built from 1981-87, and replaced by the Mazda-built Mercury Tracer.
What is the Ford version of the Mercury Lynx?
Ford Escort
The first-generation Ford Escort was launched on October 3, 1980, for the 1981 model year, with Lincoln-Mercury marketing the model line as the Mercury Lynx.
When was the last Mercury vehicle made?
January 4, 2011
Production of Mercury vehicles ceased in all markets during the fourth quarter of 2010, with the final Mercury automobile, a Grand Marquis, rolling off the assembly line on January 4, 2011.
Why did Ford cancel Mercury?
Ford ended the production of the model in the fourth quarter of 2010. Mercury was originally created to offer Ford customers a premium vehicle. However, the popularity and corresponding sales of Ford-branded vehicles had left the Mercury brand weak, with many of its loyal customers electing to drive Ford models.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Mercury Lynx years
We have researched Mercury problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Mercury Lynx cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Mercury Lynx model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Mercury Lynx model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Mercury Lynx years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Mercury Lynx car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Mercury Lynx , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Electrical system problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Steering problems
- Structure problems
- Power train problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Mercury Lynx vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Lynx model years
There were a total of 12 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 44 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Mercury Lynx . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Mercury Lynx vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Mercury Lynx 1983
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Date Complaint: 2002-01-03
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: VEHICLE EXPERIENCEING NUMEROUS ENGINE STALL CONDITIONS, VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO DEALER, BUT DEALER COULD NOT REMEDY PROBLEM, MANUFACTURER AND ATTORNEY GENERAL'S CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY HAVE BEEN INFORMED. *TT
Mercury Lynx 1983
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Date Complaint: 2002-01-03
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: VEHICLE EXPERIENCEING NUMEROUS ENGINE STALL CONDITIONS, VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO DEALER, BUT DEALER COULD NOT REMEDY PROBLEM, MANUFACTURER AND ATTORNEY GENERAL'S CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY HAVE BEEN INFORMED. *TT
Mercury Lynx 1985
- Date Of Incident: 1999-08-30
- Date Complaint: 2001-08-30
- VIN: 1MEBP5291FW
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. VEHICLE BEEN AT DEALER SHOP ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. *AK *SLC
Mercury Lynx 1983
- Date Of Incident: 1983-02-13
- Date Complaint: 2001-02-13
- VIN: 1MEBP5429DT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WHILE 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
Mercury Lynx 1984
- Date Of Incident: 1988-06-24
- Date Complaint: 2000-10-12
- VIN: 1MEBP6026ET
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WHILE 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
Mercury Lynx 1986
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Date Complaint: 2000-05-22
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. *CJ
Mercury Lynx 1987
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Date Complaint: 1997-11-29
- VIN: 1MEPM2195HT
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: FRONT DRIVER' SEAT ROCKS, WON'T STAY UP.
Mercury Lynx 1986
- Date Of Incident: 1996-12-10
- Date Complaint: 1997-02-04
- Fire: 1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WHILE PARKED NEXT TO GARAGE, STARTED UP ENGINE, LEFT IN PARK , RETURNED, FLAMES WERE SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDERHOOD, USED PAILS OF WATER TO PUT OUT FIRE, CAUSE UNKNOWN, NOT INSPECTED BY DEALER OR FIRE DEPARTMENT. *AK
Mercury Lynx 1986
- Date Of Incident: 1995-07-14
- Date Complaint: 1996-10-29
- Fire: 1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: ALTERNATOR WIRING HARNESS HAS CAUGHT ON FIRE TWICE, ONCE WHILE DRIVING AND THE SECOND TIME WHILE PARKED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
Mercury Lynx 1984
- Date Of Incident: 1989-08-01
- Date Complaint: 1996-10-16
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1MEBP5448ET
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: VEHICLE FIRE.
Mercury Lynx 1983
- Date Of Incident: 1996-05-31
- Date Complaint: 1996-06-04
- Fire: 1
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: ENGINE FIRE. *DH
Mercury Lynx 1987
- Date Of Incident: 1995-07-01
- Date Complaint: 1996-05-24
- VIN: 1MEBM2598HW
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: FRAME CRACKED NEAR THE WHEEL IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. *AK
Mercury Lynx 1982
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Date Complaint: 1996-05-16
- VIN: 1MEBPG525CW
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: UPON TURNING ON IGNITION SMOKE STARTED COMING UP FROM UNDER STEERING COLUMN. *AK
Mercury Lynx 1982
- Date Of Incident: 1996-05-09
- Date Complaint: 1996-05-09
- VIN: 1MEBB6525CW
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: COOLING FAN RUNS CONTINOUSLY. *SD
Mercury Lynx 1982
- Date Of Incident: 1996-05-09
- Date Complaint: 1996-05-09
- VIN: 1MEBB6525CW
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: STEERING IS HARD. *SD
Latest 5 recalls Mercury Lynx
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 20 recalls for different components of the Mercury Lynx.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Mercury Lynx 1987
- Report Received Date: 1989-10-13
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: THE FORWARD OUTBOARD PEDESTAL OF THE SEAT TRACK OF DRIVER'S SEAT MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FATIGUE FRACTURE.
- Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A LIMITED DEGREE OF ROCKING MOTIONOF THE DRIVERS SEAT ASSEMBLY UPON ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION, WHICH COULDCAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy: INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT ON ALL MODELS AND A NEW SEAT TRACK AS NECESSARY
- Model: Mercury Lynx 1986
- Report Received Date: 1989-10-13
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: THE FORWARD OUTBOARD PEDESTAL OF THE SEAT TRACK OF DRIVER'S SEAT MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FATIGUE FRACTURE.
- Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A LIMITED DEGREE OF ROCKING MOTIONOF THE DRIVERS SEAT ASSEMBLY UPON ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION, WHICH COULDCAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy: INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT ON ALL MODELS AND A NEW SEAT TRACK AS NECESSARY
- Model: Mercury Lynx 1985
- Report Received Date: 1989-10-13
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: THE FORWARD OUTBOARD PEDESTAL OF THE SEAT TRACK OF DRIVER'S SEAT MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FATIGUE FRACTURE.
- Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A LIMITED DEGREE OF ROCKING MOTIONOF THE DRIVERS SEAT ASSEMBLY UPON ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION, WHICH COULDCAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy: INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT ON ALL MODELS AND A NEW SEAT TRACK AS NECESSARY
- Model: Mercury Lynx 1984
- Report Received Date: 1989-06-12
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
- Summary: EXTERNAL CRACKS ABOVE THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER (1984 MODELS) OR ROCKER ARM COVER GASKETS SPLITTING (1985 MODELS) COULD ALLOW OIL TO LEAK ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.
- Consequence: ENGINE OIL LEAKING ONTO A HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD COULDRESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
- Remedy: REPLACE CRACKED CYLINDER HEADS (1984 MODELS); REPLACE ROCKER ARM COVER GASKETS (1985 MODELS).
- Model: Mercury Lynx 1985
- Report Received Date: 1989-06-12
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
- Summary: EXTERNAL CRACKS ABOVE THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER (1984 MODELS) OR ROCKER ARM COVER GASKETS SPLITTING (1985 MODELS) COULD ALLOW OIL TO LEAK ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.
- Consequence: ENGINE OIL LEAKING ONTO A HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD COULDRESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
- Remedy: REPLACE CRACKED CYLINDER HEADS (1984 MODELS); REPLACE ROCKER ARM COVER GASKETS (1985 MODELS).
Are you having problems with your Mercury Lynx?
