1985 Mercury CAPRI: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
3 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
28,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1985 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 3 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 33.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 3 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
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 | 1 |
| 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: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
1996: 2; 2006: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues 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 from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10157512 · 2006-05-14 (May 14, 2006)
GARAGE / HOUSE FIRE CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH IN 1985 MERCURY CAPRI ASC MCLAREN. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10157512 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 983370 · 1996-04-23 (April 23, 1996)
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND CAUGHT FIRE, UNDER THE HOOD ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 983370 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 983847 · 1996-04-29 (April 29, 1996)
WIFE STARTED VEHICLE TO WARM UP, TURNED BACK, VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING AND THEN FIRE ENGULFED VEHICLE AND TOTALLY BURNED IT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 983847 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
85V068000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum
Reported: 1985-05-21 (May 21, 1985)
BRAKE BOOSTER REAR SHELLS MAY HAVE REDUCED WALL THICKNESSES WHICH COULD CAUSE THE SHELL TO BREAK. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: REPEATED BRAKE USE COULD CAUSE THE SHELL TO CRACK AND THE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY TO COME APART. SERVICE BRAKES CAPABILITY WOULD BE TOTALLY LOST WITHOUT WARNING AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗92V063000 · Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
Reported: 1992-04-29 (April 29, 1992)
THE PLASTIC SLEEVE IN THE FRONT SAFETY BELT TONGUE ASSEMBLY WHICH RETAINS THE LOCK BAR CAN DETERIORATE FROM PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO SUNLIGHT AND BECOME DISPLACED, CAUSING THE TONGUE TO DETACH FROM THE SAFETY BELT WEBBING.
Consequence: IF THE TONGUE DETACHES FROM THE SAFETY BELT WEBBING, THESAFETY BELT WOULD NOT ATTACH TO ITSELF, RESULTING IN INCREASED RISK OF INJURYTO THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: FORD WILL REPAIR THE SAFETY BELTS EXPERIENCING THIS CONDITION REGARDLESS OF VEHICLE AGE OR CONDITION.
NHTSA campaign record ↗