US vehicle recalls and complaint patterns, explained

Mercury Topaz recall history and complaint patterns

Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the Mercury Topaz, sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.

Last updated: (NHTSA data snapshot)

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At a Glance

Total Recalls 18
Total Complaints 581
Years Covered 1983–1998

Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards. Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.

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Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data. Always check your specific VIN on NHTSA.gov for vehicle-specific recall information.

Key Takeaways

A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Mercury Topaz, based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.

Recall Themes

Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas. Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.

Electrical

2 campaigns · Years: 1985, 1988–1993

These campaigns relate to wiring or electrical components that can cause warning lights, loss of function, or fire risk in some cases.

Official notices (evidence):

Seats and restraints

2 campaigns · Years: 1984

These campaigns relate to seats, belts, airbags restraint integration, or child restraint anchoring components.

Official notices (evidence):

Steering and suspension

2 campaigns · Years: 1984–1985

These campaigns relate to steering or suspension components that can affect vehicle control or stability.

Official notices (evidence):

Engine and cooling

1 campaign · Years: 1992–1994

These campaigns relate to engine or cooling components where failures can lead to stalling or overheating risk.

Official notices (evidence):

Other

1 campaign · Years: 1988

These campaigns do not fit a single dominant theme, or the component taxonomy is broad.

Official notices (evidence):

Visibility and lighting

1 campaign · Years: 1984

These campaigns relate to lighting, glass, or visibility components (lamps, wipers, and related systems).

Official notices (evidence):

Most Reported Issues

Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the Mercury Topaz in NHTSA complaint data are Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Seat belts, Electrical system:ignition.

Jump to Model Year

Year-by-Year Overview

Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and complaints, not risk predictions.

Model Year Recalls Complaints Details
1998 0 1 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly.
1995 0 13 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and associated pulleys, Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:catalytic convertor, Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.
1994 1 106 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Power train:automatic transmission.
1993 2 98 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts, Electrical system:ignition, Power train:automatic transmission.
1992 2 92 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline.
1991 1 59 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:drum, Electrical system:ignition.
1990 1 67 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition:switch, Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline.
1989 1 57 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Seat belts, Electrical system:ignition.
1988 2 28 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts, Electrical system:ignition:switch, Electrical system:ignition:module.
1987 0 28 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition:switch, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Electrical system:ignition.
1986 0 13 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition:switch, Steering:rack and pinion, Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:hoses/lines/piping/fittings.
1985 3 5 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:drum, Electrical system:ignition:module, Vehicle speed control.
1984 5 13 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition:switch, Electrical system:wiring, Electrical system:wiring:front underhood.
1983 0 1 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition:switch.

What to Do Next

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Recall Evidence by Year

A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model. The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.

Most common areas involved: Electrical system , Suspension and Engine and engine cooling

Show recall evidence by year

1994

  • Engine and engine cooling: Fan: Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (97V019000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: These vehicles are originally sold or currently registered in the following states: alaska, iowa, minnesota, nebraska, north dakota, and south dakota. The vehicles involved are 1992-1994 tempo/topaz vehicles with 3.0L engines; 1994 tempo/topaz with 2.3L engines; 1992-1995 taurus/sable with 3.8L e

1993

  • Electrical system: Ignition: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (96V071000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
  • Engine and engine cooling: Fan: Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (97V019000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: These vehicles are originally sold or currently registered in the following states: alaska, iowa, minnesota, nebraska, north dakota, and south dakota. The vehicles involved are 1992-1994 tempo/topaz vehicles with 3.0L engines; 1994 tempo/topaz with 2.3L engines; 1992-1995 taurus/sable with 3.8L e

1992

  • Electrical system: Ignition: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (96V071000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
  • Engine and engine cooling: Fan: Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (97V019000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: These vehicles are originally sold or currently registered in the following states: alaska, iowa, minnesota, nebraska, north dakota, and south dakota. The vehicles involved are 1992-1994 tempo/topaz vehicles with 3.0L engines; 1994 tempo/topaz with 2.3L engines; 1992-1995 taurus/sable with 3.8L e

1991

  • Electrical system: Ignition: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (96V071000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.

1990

  • Electrical system: Ignition: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (96V071000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.

1989

  • Electrical system: Ignition: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (96V071000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.

1988

  • Vehicle speed control: Safety recall involving the vehicle speed control area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (88V024000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Two attachment screws for the throttle position sensors could loosen and back out.
  • Electrical system: Ignition: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (96V071000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.

1985

  • Suspension: Rear: Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (85V086000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Rear suspension control arm-to-spindle attachment bolts may be subject to fracture during use of car. Consequence of defect: if bolts fracture, rear spindle could disengage from control arm and possibly result in loss of control.
  • Electrical system: Module: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (85V134000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The unexpected open throttle causes an increase in engine speed which could result in loss of control of the car and a potential crash. Consequence of defect: the electronic engine control processor may experience an intermittent timing problem. This problem causes improper execution engine perfo
  • Suspension: Rear: Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (85V145000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Rear supension control arm-to-spindle attachment bolts may be subject to fracture causing the rear spindle to separate during use of car. Consequence of defect: if bolts fracture and rear spindle disengages from control arm, loss of control will be experience which may result in an accident.

1984

  • Interior lighting: Safety recall involving the interior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (83V055000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: In the event of a short circuit in the instrument panel, the headlamp and interior illumination control switches could overheat.
  • Seat belts: Anchorage: Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (83V134000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The bolts that attach the d-shaped ring for the shoulder belt are inadequately supported by the material in which they are mounted. The attachment does not comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 210, "Seat belt assembly anchorages".
  • Suspension: Rear: Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (85V086000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Rear suspension control arm-to-spindle attachment bolts may be subject to fracture during use of car. Consequence of defect: if bolts fracture, rear spindle could disengage from control arm and possibly result in loss of control.
  • Suspension: Rear: Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (85V145000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Rear supension control arm-to-spindle attachment bolts may be subject to fracture causing the rear spindle to separate during use of car. Consequence of defect: if bolts fracture and rear spindle disengages from control arm, loss of control will be experience which may result in an accident.
  • Seats: Safety recall involving the seats area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (86V082000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The forward bolt that provides part of the attachment between the driver's seat back assembly and the seat cushion frame may be subject to fatigue fracture. Consequence of defect: if this bolt breaks, the driver and seat back will fall back, which could result in the driver losing control of the

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Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data. This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.

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