1986 Merkur Xr4ti Recalls

No recalls on record Updated July 2026

No NHTSA recalls on record for the 1986 Merkur Xr4ti. That means NHTSA has no open safety campaign for this vehicle — it does not guarantee the absence of problems. Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the exterior lighting. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Complaints by component

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
1
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
1
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
1
Total complaints9

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“This switch assembly is misdesigned. It will not remain functional even under light use and results in a hazardous condition.”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH · reported 1998-04-01

“While driving exhaust manifold cracked and let fumes into vehicle, consumer replaced manifold, and it cracked again. This was owner's third merkur, and on each ones exhaust manifold cracked. Also, vehicle had a/c lines run directly over turbo, and excessive heat caused a/c line to burst, releasing…”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE · reported 1997-04-18

“While driving exhaust manifold cracked and let fumes into vehicle, consumer replaced manifold, and it cracked again. This was owner's third merkur, and on each ones exhaust manifold cracked. Also, vehicle had a/c lines run directly over turbo, and excessive heat caused a/c line to burst, releasing…”

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER · reported 1997-04-18

“Engine fire, ohio state police report. *tw”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE · reported 1995-01-02

“I own or have owned 5 different xr4ti's. All were bought used, but some were less than 3 years old. In all cases, the hazard light switch has failed. Its basic design is prone to failure because the plastic gets brittle and even has a burned look to it. Ford should either recall, or offer…”

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH · reported 1991-02-15

“The hazard warning light switch is integral to the turn signal/high beam light switch assembly. Disintegration of the internals of the hazard switch (which is used very rarely) has required the replacement of the entire assembly on two occassions in the 11 years I have owned the vehicle. Failure…”

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH · reported 1990-06-12

“I understand an ignition module is supposed to last the lifetime of a car. Mine failed at about 44,000 miles, if I'm not mistaken. Fortunately no one was hurt; the car stalled as we were pulling out of a parking lot. Still there clearly is a problem, and you need to address it.*ak”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · reported 1990-01-15

“The turn signals and hazards stop working because of a problem with the hadzard switch which is connected to the turn signal switch. As such there are no hazards or turn dignals. I have replaced this once and the hazards switch is going on this too. I have a spare part but on that only the turn…”

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1986 Merkur Xr4ti as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.