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: 0 of 4 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 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
4 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline
WHY ARE THE GAS TANKS ROTTING OUT WHEN YEARS AGO GAS TANKS LASTED A LIFETIME AND MORE. EITHER THE GAS HAS AN ADDATIVE THAT IS DOING IT OR THE MFGS' OF GAS TANKS ARE USING POOR QUALITY MATERIALS. THESE LEAKS START AS PIN HOLES AND THEN GROW SO MILLIONS COULD BE DUMPING GASOLINE ALL OF OUR ROADS THAT IS FINDING ITS WAY INTO OUR…
Read full complaint
WHY ARE THE GAS TANKS ROTTING OUT WHEN YEARS AGO GAS TANKS LASTED A LIFETIME AND MORE. EITHER THE GAS HAS AN ADDATIVE THAT IS DOING IT OR THE MFGS' OF GAS TANKS ARE USING POOR QUALITY MATERIALS. THESE LEAKS START AS PIN HOLES AND THEN GROW SO MILLIONS COULD BE DUMPING GASOLINE ALL OF OUR ROADS THAT IS FINDING ITS WAY INTO OUR AIR AND WATER. THIS PROBLEM IS AS SERIOUS AS THE GAS STATION TANKS OF YEARS AGO AND FOR SOME REASON IT IS GOING BY UNNOTICED. I WOULD LIKE A RESPONSE TO THIS COMPLAINT. MY COMPLAINT HAS ALSO BEEN REPORTED TO THE EPA. *AK
NHTSA ODI #707861
Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 1996
Wheels
LEFT REAR WHEEL CAME OFF, CAUSING ACCIDENT. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)
NHTSA ODI #513003
Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 1996
Electrical System
ELECTRICAL SHORT, CONTINUES TO BLOW FUSES. TT
NHTSA ODI #978989
Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 1996
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING ON ICY PAVEMENT VEHICLE ACCELERATED WIDE OPEN FOR NO APPARENT REASON. HAD TO TURN OFF IGNITION TO STOP VEHICLE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
NHTSA ODI #978604
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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
2
PE87028 · Stalling
Opened May 1, 1987 · Closed Jan 21, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
NO SAFETY DEFECT TREND HAS BEEN DETECTED.===
EA86010 · Seatback Failure
Opened Mar 26, 1986 · Closed Jul 28, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:FORD BELIEVES THAT THE AL-LEGED DEFECT ONLY OCCURS IN A SMALL NUMBER OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ANDRECALLED ABOUT 195,732 1984 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES IN JUNE 1986.ANALYSIS: VEHICLES POTENTIALLY INVOLVED INCLUDE TEMPO/TOPAZ, ESCORT/LYNX/EXP, MUSTANG/CAPRI, LTD/MARQUIS, AND THUNDERBIRD/COUGAR.FORD SOLD ABOUT 110,000 REPLACEMENT MIO BOLTS, MAINLY FOR 1983 AND 1984MODELS. LOW CLAMPING FORCE APPEARS TO BE A LARGE PART OF THE PROBLEM.FORD INCREASED THE TORQUE REQUIREMENTS AND REQUIRED THE USE OF A MANUALTORQUE TOOL IN MARCH AND SEPTEMBER 1985 PRODUCTION CHANGES. 1987 MODELSWILL BE PRODUCED WITH A LONGER M10 BOLT AND A NUT TO INCREASE AND MAIN-TAIN CLAMPING FORCE. BOLTS WERE FORMERLY SELF TAPPING. REPORTS LISTEDABOVE SPECIFICALLY STATE THAT THE BOLT BROKE. NONE REFER SIMPLY TOSEAT BACK COLLAPSE ALONE.STATUS:FORD REPLY TO ODI IR DATED 2/2/87.FORD RECALLED 195,7321984 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES IN JUNE 1986 (86V-082). ANALYZING REPONSE,MONITORING CANADIAN PROGRESS. RESPONSE TO 4/6/87 LETTER TO FORDRECEIVED 7/15/87. WILL PROBABLY CLOSE AFTER CANADA COMPLETES THEIRACTIONS.===
1986 Mercury Marquis Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year