Summary
The Mercury Lynx has 10 recalls spanning the 1981–1985 production run, with the most serious being a 1985 model year throttle defect on vehicles with the 1.9L engine and air conditioning, where a misaligned pin can jam the throttle lever open and prevent the engine from returning to idle, causing unintended acceleration.
The 1985 model year also has a driver's seat track pedestal that can crack and fracture under repeated stress, allowing the seat to rock during acceleration or braking in a way that could affect the driver's ability to control the vehicle. Going back to the 1981 model year, there are several distinct issues. Carpet fasteners may have been placed too close to the fuel tank and can puncture it, allowing fuel to leak. A separate fuel inlet grounding problem means static electricity can build up at the filler opening during refueling and, if conditions are right, ignite fuel vapors at the cap. On air-conditioned 1981 models, the main engine wiring harness can chafe against a hood bracket bolt and cause an electrical short that starts an engine compartment fire. The cruise control system on 1981 models with that option can allow fuel to migrate into the servo assembly, causing the O-ring to shrink, a vacuum leak to develop, and the cruise control to activate on its own with gradual unintended speed increase. On 1981 models with optional reclining front seats, a shoulder screw on the driver's seat back frame can fracture from fatigue, causing the seatback to lose its structural attachment to the recliner mechanism. Two-door 1981 models have a door lock pillar that can develop fatigue cracks at the front door latch reinforcement points, eventually weakening the attachment enough that the door may not stay closed securely. The 1982 model year has a rear seatbelt retractor that can allow twisted webbing to jam inside the housing, preventing the belt from retracting or pulling out normally. The 1984 model year has a compliance recall related to exhaust emissions, affecting vehicles in Nova Scotia.
