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1989 Mercury Topaz

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
46Owner complaints

Model-year median: 18.5

1Recall campaigns

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3Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
9
198616
198721
198846
198948
199040
199162
1992
Compare all Topaz years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
13Engine And Engine Cooling
10Seat Belts
7Vehicle Speed Control
6Fuel System, Gasoline
4
All reported categories
Power Train
4Service Brakes, Hydraulic
3Equipment
2Exterior Lighting
2Steering
2Unknown Or Other
2Air Bags
1

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: 1 of 46 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 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports5 fire reports1 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

13 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 1996
Electrical System

THE CAR STARTED TO CUT OFF AND WAS PARKED IN A LOT. WHEN IT WAS RETRIEVED THE CAR WAS TOWED BECAUSE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

NHTSA ODI #979185

Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 1995
Electrical System

INTERMITTENT STALLING/HESITATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #969072

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 1995
Electrical SystemFire

INSTRUMENT PANEL FIRE. TT

NHTSA ODI #958486

Official recalls

1

96V071000 · Electrical System:ignition

Apr 25, 1996

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

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

3

PE96005 · Rear Brk Adjuster Failure

Opened Jan 19, 1996 · Closed May 28, 1996

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

1984 - 1991 FORD TEMPO/MERCURY TOPAZ

DP96002 · Rear Brake System Failure

Opened Jan 11, 1996 · Closed Jan 19, 1996

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

There is no summary currently available

EA90008 · Failed Passive Restraint

Opened Dec 27, 1989 · Closed Dec 31, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

WE HAVE RECEIVED NUMEROUS REPORTS WHICH ALLEGE A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM.ADDITIONAL REPORTS ALLEGE THAT THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILED TO RESTRAIN/ADEQUATELY PROTECT THE OCCUPANT DURING AN ACCIDENT