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 · Feb 11, 2000
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE & NOTICED AN ODOR INSIDE VEHICLE. THE BATTERY LIGHT FLASHED ON. AT HOME CHECKED UNDER HOOD. NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM WIRE HARNESS NEAR THE ALTERNATOR. THE PLASTIC WIRE HARNESS HAD MELTED DOWN. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE WIRE HARNESS & THE ALTERNATOR DUE TO BEING SHO…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE & NOTICED AN ODOR INSIDE VEHICLE. THE BATTERY LIGHT FLASHED ON. AT HOME CHECKED UNDER HOOD. NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM WIRE HARNESS NEAR THE ALTERNATOR. THE PLASTIC WIRE HARNESS HAD MELTED DOWN. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE WIRE HARNESS & THE ALTERNATOR DUE TO BEING SHORTED OUT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #855237
Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 1999
Power Train
THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE PAST 5MPH WITH APPLICATION OF GAS PEDAL. DLR SAYS NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION. MJS
NHTSA ODI #848641
Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 1999
Air BagsCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, VEHICLE LOSS CONTROL CAUSING CONSUMER TO RUN INTO A WALL WHICH RESULTED IN NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG SYSTEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *YC
NHTSA ODI #842220
Mileage unknown · May 22, 1999
Exterior Lighting
BOTH HEADLIGHT LENSES HAVE BECOME OPAQUE, BECOMING WORSE OVER THE YEARS, RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT ILLUMINATION AT NIGHT, CAUSING DRIVER TO TRY NOT TO DRIVE ON HIGHWAYS AFTER DARK.
NHTSA ODI #706764
Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 1999
Seat Belts
DRIVER'S SIDE MOTORIZED SEAT BELT FAILS WITH BELT IN THE FULL FORWARD POSITION. THIS LEAVES THE DRIVER WITHOUT ANY RESTRAINT BEING AVAILABLE. THIS MEANS THE DRIVER CAN EASILY SUSTAIN FAR GREATER INJURIES IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #705183
Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control
ONLY IN TWO OCCURRENCES VEHICLE SURGES UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #834752
Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 1998
Fuel System, Gasoline
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL STALL WITHOUT ANY WARNING BUT THE VEHICLE WILL START UP AGAIN. TOOK TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #824811
Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER KEPT HEARING LOUD NOISES WHEN SHIFTING. WENT TO 4 DIFFERENT MECHANICS, COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM UNTIL THE FOURTH MECHANIC SAID THE NOISE WAS COMING BECAUSE THERE WERE 2 BROKEN MOTOR MOUNTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #819689
Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 1997
Electrical SystemFire
15-20 MINUTES AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. UNDER INVESTIGATIONS AT THIS TIME. *AK
NHTSA ODI #818979
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLS WHEN ACCELERATING. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
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
1989 Mercury Topaz Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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