Model year record

1990 Mercury Topaz

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 67 owner complaints on file.

Mercury Topaz, 1984–1994 generation
Pictured: the 1984–1994 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

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
Electrical system: ignition: switch7—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator5—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline5—
Electrical system: ignition4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components4—
Vehicle speed control3—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system2—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2—
Exterior lighting: headlights2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum2—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly2—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2—
Electrical system1—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables1—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: starter assembly1—
Electrical system: wiring1—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1—
Fuel system, gasoline1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1—
Power train: manual transmission1—
Seat belts1—
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Seat belts: front: retractor1—
Seats: front assembly: recliner1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1—
Steering: linkages1—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm1—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1—
Tires1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1—

The 1989 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1991 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.

Other Mercury Topaz model years

All Mercury Topaz recalls by year

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.