Summary
The Mercury Capri has 19 recalls spanning the 1971 through 1993 model years, with the most serious recent issue being a 1993 model year transmission cooler line that can disconnect and spray fluid onto the exhaust, starting a fire.
The same transmission cooler line fire risk also affects 1991 models, where the rubber hose connecting the transmission to the radiator-mounted oil cooler can pull free and douse hot exhaust components with fluid. On 1992 models, the airbag can tear and malfunction when it deploys if interior temperatures climb above 140 degrees. Moving back to 1985, the power brake booster has a rear shell that can crack from repeated braking, causing the booster to come apart and leaving the driver with a sudden, total loss of braking ability. The 1983 model year has a recall tied to certain turbocharged vehicles that may have been built with hoods intended for non-turbo engines, leaving insufficient clearance around the throttle linkage.
Through the early 1980s, there are two separate seat-related issues on 1981 models: a forward screw in the driver's seat back can fracture and allow the seat back to pivot rearward unexpectedly, and separately, the seat recliner mechanism can allow its locking teeth to disengage under load, letting the seat back give way. The 1980 model year has an emissions compliance issue on turbocharged manual-transmission vehicles where a missing circuit in the idle tracking wiring causes hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide output to exceed the allowed standard. The 1979 model year has a tilt steering column that may have been assembled with a temporary alignment pin rather than a permanent pivot pin; if that pin separates while driving, it can interfere with the steering wheel and restrict control. There is also a compliance issue with seat belt assemblies on 1979 models, and a separate concern involving a fan guard on certain 200 cubic inch engine vehicles that can contact the spinning fan when the hood is open.
Going further back, 1974 models with air conditioning have a blower motor resistor that can overheat and ignite the blower housing material. That same year, front brake hoses on Cologne-built vehicles can develop lateral splits, eventually leading to fluid leakage and loss of front brakes. The 1971 model year carries the heaviest early load: the steering wheel attachment to the collapsible column energy absorber may lack adequate strength, the gear shift lever on manual transmission vehicles can break during shifting, the windshield wiper pivot can loosen and throw the wiper arm free in wet conditions, the headlight switch housing can crack and cause lights to cut out, and certain reclining driver seats with the optional decor group may have incomplete welds in the seat back frame that can cause it to eventually break loose.
