Model year record

1989 MERCURY Topaz

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 57 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V071000

Electrical system: ignition

Component
Electrical system: ignition
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
7,900,000
Reported to NHTSA
1996-04-25
Owners notified
1996-06-07

Defect description

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline7
Seat belts6
Electrical system: ignition4
Electrical system: ignition: switch4
Power train: automatic transmission4
Vehicle speed control4
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum3
Engine and engine cooling: engine2
Exterior lighting: headlights2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2
Unknown or other294,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2
Air bags: frontal1
Electrical system: wiring1
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling194,000 mi
Equipment: electrical194,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1
Steering: linkages1

The 1988 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 1990 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.