Selling an old Mercury Lynx
Of 17 owner reports on the Mercury Lynx in NHTSA's files, seven mention a fire. That is a small file, but a striking share. If you still have a Lynx and it's done, we buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US.
- Model years in EPA data
- 1984-1987
- Complaints to NHTSA
- 17
- Complaints that mention a fire
- 7
- Recall campaigns
- 7
- Engines
- 1.6 and 1.9 CVH four, 2.0 Mazda diesel
- Replaced by
- Mercury Tracer, during 1987
The car
The Lynx was Mercury's version of the first-generation Ford Escort, on the CE14 platform. Wikipedia lists 1.6- and 1.9-liter CVH fours and a 2.0-liter Mazda diesel, which stayed available in five-door hatchbacks until it was dropped after 1987. The EPA files the 1984-1987 Lynx as compact cars and small station wagons. Mercury replaced the Lynx with the Tracer during 1987.
Complaints and recalls by year
These Lynx numbers come from NHTSA's records as pulled October 10, 2026. Lynx owners sent these on their own, which makes them a thin sample, not a reliability rating; a 1987 has also had a few fewer years than a 1984 to draw reports.
| Model year | Complaints | Mention a fire | Recall campaigns | Categories named most |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 3 | 2 | 3 | Engine and cooling 2, electrical system 1 |
| 1985 | 5 | 3 | 3 | Electrical system 3, seat belts 1, engine and cooling 1 |
| 1986 | 5 | 2 | 2 | Electrical system 3, visibility 1, seat belts 1 |
| 1987 | 4 | 0 | 3 | Structure 2, steering 1, seats 1 |
The seven recall campaigns:
- 83V134 (1984): the front shoulder belt's D-ring mounting bolts lacked enough support from the panel.
- 84V123 (1984): a brake line can sit too close to an engine bracket and get rubbed.
- 85V054 (1985): the throttle lever may not return to idle because of a misaligned air conditioner shutoff switch.
- 89V095 (1984-1985): a crack above the No. 3 cylinder (1984) or split rocker cover gaskets (1985) can let oil leak onto the exhaust manifold.
- 87V139 (1986-1987): spring lock fuel line couplings may not be fully engaged.
- 89V170 (1985-1987): the driver's seat track pedestal can crack from fatigue.
- 87V060 (1987): lug nuts can gall and seize without clamping the wheel properly.
Most of these campaign counts (530,000 on 83V134; 3,600,000 on 87V139; 1,375,500 on 89V170; 481,049 on 89V095) are whole-campaign numbers that may include other Ford models, not Lynx counts. Your VIN goes into NHTSA's search page to see what applies.
Fix it or sell it?
On a Lynx with an oil leak near the exhaust, a fuel smell or wiring that has scorched, get it checked before you drive it at all. If it already burned, our fire damage guide applies. For wiring faults that never caught, see electrical problems. If a shop's estimate tops the price of a running Lynx, sell the whole car as it sits.
Selling the Lynx whole
Have the VIN and title ready, or read selling with no title. Get an offer online or call (877) 421-6008. Tell us whether it sits in a driveway, a field or a garage, and whether it rolls. The truck comes to it. See other Mercury models on the make page.
Questions people ask
- Why do so many Lynx complaints mention fire?
- Seven of the 17 complaints in NHTSA's file mention a fire, and electrical system is the category named most. NHTSA's counts don't say what started each fire. Recall 89V095 covered oil that could leak onto the exhaust manifold on 1984-1985 cars.
- Was the Lynx sold with a diesel?
- Yes. Wikipedia lists a 2.0-liter Mazda diesel, offered in five-door hatchbacks until it was dropped after 1987. The EPA's data for the 1984-1987 Lynx lists diesel versions.
- Will you take a Lynx that hasn't run in years?
- Yes. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from one of these. Checked October 11, 2026.
- EPA fuel economy data (model years, classes, powertrain) fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA complaints flat file (FLAT_CMPL.zip), downloaded October 10, 2026 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 83V134: front shoulder belt anchorage, 1984 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 84V123: brake line near engine bracket, 1984 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 85V054: throttle lever may not return to idle, 1985 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 87V060: wheel lug nuts, 1987 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 87V139: spring lock fuel line coupling, 1986-1987 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 89V095: oil leak onto exhaust manifold, 1984-1985 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 89V170: driver's seat track, 1985-1987 nhtsa.gov
- Wikipedia: Mercury Lynx (engines, platform, replacement) en.wikipedia.org