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1990 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 →
48Owner 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
16
198721
198846
198948
199040
199162
199271
1993
Compare all Topaz years →

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

What owners reported most

Electrical System
21Engine And Engine Cooling
6Service Brakes, Hydraulic
6Vehicle Speed Control
6Steering
4
All reported categories
Exterior Lighting
3Seat Belts
3Fuel System, Gasoline
2Suspension
2Equipment
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Power Train
1Seats
1Tires
1Wheels
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: 0 of 48 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 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports11 fire reports1 injury reports

Seat Belts complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · May 14, 1997
Seat BeltsCrash

OWNER STATES THAT SHE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHILE TRAVELING AT 15-25MPH AND FRONT AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS DID NOT HOLD/LATCH. ALSO, DEALER STATED THAT SAFETY CATCH WAS DEFECTIVE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #812253

Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 1997
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkages

PASSENGER'S SHOULDER BELT INOPERATIVE.

NHTSA ODI #515627

Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 1996
Seat Belts

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WIL NOT RETRACT, HAD THAT ONE FIXED, NOW THE PASSERGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT. WHEN TRYING TO RETRACT THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT PULL OVER THE OCCUPANT. (UNDER INVESTIGATION EA 90 008). *AK

NHTSA ODI #804111

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