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1988 Merkur ScorpioProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 8 owner complaints about the 1988 Merkur Scorpio, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints83 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem3Electrical system

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 7, 2002. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1988 Merkur Scorpio has problems

8 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system31
Service brakes, hydraulic20
Vehicle speed control20
Fuel system, gasoline11
Power train10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1988 Merkur Scorpio recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Lever and linkage: column shift

Recall 88V-084 · May 20, 1988 · 176 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, THERE IS A POTENTIAL THAT THETRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL MAY NOT FULLY ENGAGE THE PARKING GEAR WHEN THETRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER IS…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Merkur.

Best & worst years

1988 vs. every other Scorpio year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Scorpio median. How we score

'86'88'89
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What Scorpio owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THIS FAILURE WAS WITH THE FORD REPLACEMENT PART. ONLY 1 YEAR AGO, LESS THAN 4,000 MILES AGO, THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TFI MODULE FAILED, LEAVING ME STRANDED. THIS TIME, HOWEVER, IT WAS WORSE, LEAVING ME STRANDED ON A HIGHWAY EXIT. BEING AT NIGHT, IT WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE…
Complaint 705935 · Apr 23, 1999

Own a 1988 Scorpio?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.