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1989 Mercury Topaz

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
46Owner complaints

Model-year median: 18.5

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

3Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
9
198616
198721
198846
198948
199040
199162
1992
Compare all Topaz years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
13Engine And Engine Cooling
10Seat Belts
7Vehicle Speed Control
6Fuel System, Gasoline
4
All reported categories
Power Train
4Service Brakes, Hydraulic
3Equipment
2Exterior Lighting
2Steering
2Unknown Or Other
2Air Bags
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 1 of 46 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports5 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

46 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2008
Electrical System

I SAW ON SCHUCKS.COM THAT MY CAR WAS PART OF A RECALL FOR AN INTERNAL IGNITION SHORT CIRCUIT AND MY CAR HAS HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS SUCH AS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE AND MY CAR IS FINE IT ONLY HAS 65,000+ MILES ON IT AND IT TURNS OFF 2-3 SECS AFTER TURNING IT ON THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP IT ON IS IF I GIVE IT GAS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10221339

94,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentUnknown Or Other

CAR KEEPS STALLING WHEN IN AN IDLE POSITION (LIKE AT A STOP LIGHT).TAKES ABOUT 10 TRIES TO GET IT TO START,AND KEEP RUNNING.WILL IDLE HIGH THEN IDLE LOW THEN IDLE HIGH AGAIN THEN DIE...

NHTSA ODI #10069005

Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2002
Electrical System

ALTERNATOR HAD THREE SETS OF WIRES REPLACED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8018028

Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE STALLS DAILY ONLY AT A STOP STAND STILL POSTION. CONSUMER HAS BEEN TO SEVERAL DEALERS, THEY COULD NOT FIND A REMEDY.*AK CONSUMER STATES THIS FAILURE HAS ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #886098

Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

ENGINE OVERHEATED AND CAUGHT FIRE. *MJS

NHTSA ODI #784374

Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2000
Electrical System

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #736115

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2000
Seat Belts

DRIVERS MOTORBELT WILL NOT RETURN TO SHOULDER ONCE IGNITION SWITCH HAS TURNED. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #555222

Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2000
Steering

THE VEHICLE REPORTED HERE WAS REACALLED IN 1997 AND WAS TAKEN IN FOR REPAIRS AND WHEN I GOT IT BACK THE STEERING WAS MESSED UP. THE DEALER OF REAPIRS WAS NOTIFIED BUT DID NOT CONTACT ME BACK! I HAVE LONG SINCE HAD TONS OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR! IT CONTINUOUSLY KEPT STALLING OUT AND LOST POWER GOING UPHILL ON A HIGHWAY!*AK

NHTSA ODI #725593

Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2000
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE PAST FIVE MPH WITH APPLICATION OF GAS PEDAL. DEALER STATED VEHCLE NEEDED NEW TRANSMISSION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #861008

Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT UP AHEAD, VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND SHUT OFF. AK

NHTSA ODI #860169

Official recalls

1

96V071000 · Electrical System:ignition

Apr 25, 1996

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

PE96005 · Rear Brk Adjuster Failure

Opened Jan 19, 1996 · Closed May 28, 1996

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

1984 - 1991 FORD TEMPO/MERCURY TOPAZ

DP96002 · Rear Brake System Failure

Opened Jan 11, 1996 · Closed Jan 19, 1996

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

There is no summary currently available

EA90008 · Failed Passive Restraint

Opened Dec 27, 1989 · Closed Dec 31, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

WE HAVE RECEIVED NUMEROUS REPORTS WHICH ALLEGE A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM.ADDITIONAL REPORTS ALLEGE THAT THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILED TO RESTRAIN/ADEQUATELY PROTECT THE OCCUPANT DURING AN ACCIDENT