1991 Mercury Capri: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1991 Mercury Capri: 2 recalls, 30 owner complaints and up to 24 mpg combined.

Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #91V009000 · 1991 · 4,200 vehicles
What's wrong: The rubber tube that connects the transmission to the transmission oil cooler (in the radiator) May disconnect causing discharge of fluid.
Why it matters: Discharged transmission fluid May strike the exhaustmanifold or the exhaust pipe and result in a fire.
The fix: Install revised line and clamps to improve line retention to the transmission.
Airbags Vehicle recall #92V080000 · 1992 · 648 vehicles
What's wrong: The air bag modules do not meet the Ford specifications for high ambient temperature performance.
Why it matters: At high ambient interior vehicle temperatures above140 degrees, the air bag May tear and malfunction upon deployment.
The fix: Replace the air bag modules with modules that meet specifications.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (6): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (2).
- Transmission & drivetrain (6): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (2).
- Airbags (5): the most common themes are fails to deploy (3).
- Body & structure (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1991 Mercury Capri has 30 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 4 Capri model years for complaints (2.7× the average Capri year). Complaints peaked in 1995 (8 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 29,150 miles. Neighboring years: 1992 (7 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 24 | Regular |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 26 | 23 | Regular |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 24 | 22 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1991 Mercury Capri.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1991 Mercury Capri have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 1991 Mercury Capri. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1991 Mercury Capri problems?
Owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (6), transmission & drivetrain (6), airbags (5).
What gas mileage does the 1991 Mercury Capri get?
EPA ratings run up to 24 mpg combined (1.6 L, Manual 5-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1991 Mercury Capri repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.