MercuryCapri1993Overview/mercury/capri/1993/base/

1993 Mercury Capri

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1993 Capri.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1993 Mercury Capri, built on the compact coupe platform, is equipped with an automatic 4‑speed transmission and a modest 3.7‑quart oil capacity using 5W‑30 API‑grade lubricant, while achieving EPA ratings of 20 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. Its power‑train, the primary source of owner complaints in the model line, generated only five total grievances for the year and was subject to a single recall, reflecting a relatively clean record compared with the earlier peak of 40 complaints in 1991. Positioned near the bottom of the 1991‑1994 complaint spectrum—just above the 1994 low of three issues—1993 represents a comparatively reliable point in the Capri’s short production run, suggesting fewer systemic problems for researchers to encounter.

Model year199419931992199119861985198419831982

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.7 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/24/21 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 24 / 21 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.7 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.7 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 15,000 mi.

At 7,500 miTire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Fasteners (torque) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 60,000 miFuel Filter (replace) · PCV Valve (replace) · Timing Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1993 Mercury Capri sits at the tail end of a clear downward trend in owner complaints, falling from 40 in 1991 to just 5 in the target year, with no crash or fire complaints reported. Recalls remained steady at one per year after 1991, and technical service bulletins stayed high at 22, indicating that while major safety actions were limited, the manufacturer was still issuing numerous service updates. The top complaint areas for 1993 are sparse—power train accounts for two of the five total complaints, with structure, suspension, and a combined engine/fuel system issue each cited once—suggesting no widespread systemic failures. Compared to the earlier years, the 1993 model benefits from a maturing generation where early problems have largely been resolved, making it a relatively low-risk choice. Overall, the data points to the 1993 Mercury Capri as a solid buy within this generation, with minimal reported issues.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
22
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
5
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 5 complaints on record, top 4 components.

Power Train2
Engine & Engine Cooling,Fuel System, Gasoline,Equipment1
Structure1
Suspension1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

93V180000Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And LinesReported 05/11/1993

THE TRANSMISSION FLUID RUBBER TUBE CONNECTING THE TRANSMISSION TO THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LOCATED IN THE RADIATOR CAN BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THE TRANSMISSION, RESULTING IN DISCHARGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED LINE AND TRANSMISSION OUTLET TUBE.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 22 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
011572001-08-06Unknown Or OtherINFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC
00152000-01-10Power TrainINFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS
991961999-09-20EquipmentINFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE…
998161999-05-03Engine And Engine CoolingFORD MOTOR COMPANY NOW RECOMMENDS SAE 5W-30 VISCOSITY GRADE FOR SERVICING ANY FORD…
982461998-12-07Electrical SystemFORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RELEASED A NEW ELECTRICAL GREASE ( F8AZ - 19G208-AA ) TO REDUCE…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Capri. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1993 Capri take?

3.7 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1993 Capri have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Capri get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 24 highway / 21 combined mpg.