1988 Merkur Scorpio Problems
- Complaints
- 8filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 2.9L 6-cyl RWD · 15 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Merkur Scorpio (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1988 Merkur Scorpio. The part named most often is electrical system, with 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by brakes (2) and vehicle speed control (2). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system3 38%
- Brakes2 25%
- Fuel system1 13%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “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 about this tfi problem, affecting millions of fords. Someone will end up getting hurt if this does not get fixed, and all for a ~$100 part.”
NHTSA complaint #705935, filed 1999-04Brakes: “Slammed on brakes at 70mph and pedal was hard to mash, and anti-lock didn't kick in. Had sensor replaced 5 times but still failed. Had to swerve off of highway to avoid accident.”
NHTSA complaint #709918, filed 1999-08Fuel system: “Fuel leaking from injectors caused small underhood fire. Was able to extinguish, but could have been seroius. Fuek was leaking onto hot exhaust manifold. Very, very poor quality, and no dealer or manufacturer support. Thanks ford.”
NHTSA complaint #709919, filed 1999-08Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1988 Merkur Scorpio version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scorpio RWD | 2.9L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Scorpio RWD | 2.9L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,950 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 88V084000May 20, 1988Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shiftCovers: Merkur Scorpio 1988
Transmission linkage was adjusted improperly during production.
Recall details for the 1988 Merkur Scorpio → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 Merkur Scorpio.
Other model years of the Merkur Scorpio
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 8 | — | 1 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
All Merkur Scorpio model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 Merkur Scorpio have?
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1988 Merkur Scorpio as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Merkur Scorpio is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by brakes with 2.
Has the 1988 Merkur Scorpio been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1988 Merkur Scorpio get?
The EPA rates the 1988 Merkur Scorpio (Scorpio, 2.9L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.