Known Recalls

Model year record

1992 MERCURY Topaz

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 92 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V019000

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan

Component
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
75,200
Reported to NHTSA
1997-02-25
Owners notified
1997-03-31

Defect description

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 ENGINES; 1994-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.0L ENGINES AND 1992-1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL VEHICLES WITH 3.8L ENGINES. DURING HIGH WINDS, HEAVY, BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, AND LOW TEMPERATURES, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAN BECOME BLOCKED OR FROZEN WITH SNOW. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT ROTATE AND COULD OVERHEAT.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SMOKE OR FLAMES FROM THE FAN AND/OR SHROUD, THE FAN ELECTRICAL WIRING, OR THE FAN MOTOR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.

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
Seat belts920,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine8—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline8—
Power train: automatic transmission630 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage4—
Seat belts: front: webbing4—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element4—
Electrical system: horn3—
Electrical system: ignition346,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch376,000 mi
Seats3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor3—
Vehicle speed control3—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap2—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder2—
Structure: frame and members2—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: starter assembly1—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage1—
Seat belts: front: retractor1—
Seats: front assembly: recliner1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Steering: column1—
Suspension: front: control arm1—
Tires1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—

The 1991 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1993 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.