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FaultScore report

1987 Mercury Topaz problems

Owners have filed 28 complaints about the 1987 Mercury Topaz with NHTSA between 1995 and 2004. The largest single group is the electrical system.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Mercury Topaz
—

Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

28

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

5

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

110,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

0%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

How 1987 compares with every other Mercury Topaz

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1987 Mercury Topaz

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Electrical System 7 25.0%

0 crashes, 5 fires

Engine & Cooling 6 21.4%

Median failure at 110,000 miles

Body & Structure 3 10.7%

Median failure at 110,000 miles

Other & Unspecified 2 7.1%

Median failure at 110,000 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 2 7.1%

Median failure at 110,000 miles

Suspension 2 7.1%

Median failure at 110,000 miles

Seat Belts 1 3.6%
Tires 1 3.6%
Lights 1 3.6%
Brakes 1 3.6%

Median failure at 110,000 miles

Steering 1 3.6%

Median failure at 110,000 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 1 3.6%

Median failure at 110,000 miles

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

May 1995 peak 9 Apr 2004

NHTSA investigations into the 1987 Mercury Topaz

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

PE96005 Opened 19 Jan 1996 Closed 28 May 1996 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

REAR BRK ADJUSTER FAILURE

1984 - 1991 FORD TEMPO/MERCURY TOPAZ

DP96002 Opened 11 Jan 1996 Closed 19 Jan 1996 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

REAR BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE

EA90008 Opened 27 Dec 1989 Closed 31 Dec 1991 SEAT BELTS

FAILED PASSIVE RESTRAINT

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

PE89118 Opened 19 Apr 1989 Closed 6 Sep 1989 EQUIPMENT

SPEED CONTROL MALFUNCTION

===

Recalls on the 1987 Mercury Topaz

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

07E064000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.

Risk: A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 1989099 70,606 units in Canada

Emissions

THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. THE CENTRAL FUEL INJECTOR (CFI) MAY OPERATE RICH DURING CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS. CORRECTION: IMPROVED CFI FUEL INJECTORS WILL BE INSTALLED AND IDLE SPEED WILL BE ADJUSTED.

Recall 1987009 358 units in Canada

Other

NOTE: VEHICLES WITH 2.3 LITRE E.F.I. ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S.115 - VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. - ENGINE TYPE (8TH POSITION) AND CHECK DIGIT (9TH POSITION) CODE CHARACTERS ARE INCORRECT.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Medford, OR Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND FIRE STARTED. POLICE SAW FLAMES AND PUT THEM OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER, FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO PUT FIRE OUT. FIRE MARSHALL STATED FIRE STARTED WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. BURNED THE RUBBER BUMPER/ BACK TO THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRES, AND UNDER THE HOOD. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #827490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Linden, NJ Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

ALTERNATOR FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #511312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VAN Couger, WA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

WHILE DRIVING NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE DASH, THEN SAW FLAMES, NO INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #985616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mansfield, OH Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

WHEN CAR WAS STARTED IGNITIONS SWITCH CAUGHT ON FIRE, HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #983539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lynwood, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

AFTER BEING PARKED FOR 15-20 MINUTES, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE MELTING ENGINE COMPONENTS UNDERHOOD ALONG W/TIRES. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #983179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 110,000 miles Bedford, VA

POWER TRAIN

HAD VARY PROBLEMS WITH CAR YOU NAME IT IT HAS BROKE ON IT , I BROUGHT IT USED AND NEVER KNEW UNTIL I STARTED TO FIX CAR THAT THE TOPAZ HAS SO MANY PROBLEMS, BUT GOT TO HAVE SOME THING TO DRIVE, THIS CAR GOT MORE PROBLEMS AND SOME

NHTSA complaint #10069312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Bedford, VA

STEERING

HAD VARY PROBLEMS WITH CAR YOU NAME IT IT HAS BROKE ON IT , I BROUGHT IT USED AND NEVER KNEW UNTIL I STARTED TO FIX CAR THAT THE TOPAZ HAS SO MANY PROBLEMS, BUT GOT TO HAVE SOME THING TO DRIVE, THIS CAR GOT MORE PROBLEMS AND SOME

NHTSA complaint #10069312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Bedford, VA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

HAD VARY PROBLEMS WITH CAR YOU NAME IT IT HAS BROKE ON IT , I BROUGHT IT USED AND NEVER KNEW UNTIL I STARTED TO FIX CAR THAT THE TOPAZ HAS SO MANY PROBLEMS, BUT GOT TO HAVE SOME THING TO DRIVE, THIS CAR GOT MORE PROBLEMS AND SOME

NHTSA complaint #10069312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Bedford, VA

SUSPENSION

HAD VARY PROBLEMS WITH CAR YOU NAME IT IT HAS BROKE ON IT , I BROUGHT IT USED AND NEVER KNEW UNTIL I STARTED TO FIX CAR THAT THE TOPAZ HAS SO MANY PROBLEMS, BUT GOT TO HAVE SOME THING TO DRIVE, THIS CAR GOT MORE PROBLEMS AND SOME

NHTSA complaint #10069312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Bedford, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

HAD VARY PROBLEMS WITH CAR YOU NAME IT IT HAS BROKE ON IT , I BROUGHT IT USED AND NEVER KNEW UNTIL I STARTED TO FIX CAR THAT THE TOPAZ HAS SO MANY PROBLEMS, BUT GOT TO HAVE SOME THING TO DRIVE, THIS CAR GOT MORE PROBLEMS AND SOME

NHTSA complaint #10069312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Bedford, VA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

HAD VARY PROBLEMS WITH CAR YOU NAME IT IT HAS BROKE ON IT , I BROUGHT IT USED AND NEVER KNEW UNTIL I STARTED TO FIX CAR THAT THE TOPAZ HAS SO MANY PROBLEMS, BUT GOT TO HAVE SOME THING TO DRIVE, THIS CAR GOT MORE PROBLEMS AND SOME

NHTSA complaint #10069312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Bedford, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

HAD VARY PROBLEMS WITH CAR YOU NAME IT IT HAS BROKE ON IT , I BROUGHT IT USED AND NEVER KNEW UNTIL I STARTED TO FIX CAR THAT THE TOPAZ HAS SO MANY PROBLEMS, BUT GOT TO HAVE SOME THING TO DRIVE, THIS CAR GOT MORE PROBLEMS AND SOME

NHTSA complaint #10069312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Bedford, VA

STRUCTURE

HAD VARY PROBLEMS WITH CAR YOU NAME IT IT HAS BROKE ON IT , I BROUGHT IT USED AND NEVER KNEW UNTIL I STARTED TO FIX CAR THAT THE TOPAZ HAS SO MANY PROBLEMS, BUT GOT TO HAVE SOME THING TO DRIVE, THIS CAR GOT MORE PROBLEMS AND SOME

NHTSA complaint #10069312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Bedford, VA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

HAD VARY PROBLEMS WITH CAR YOU NAME IT IT HAS BROKE ON IT , I BROUGHT IT USED AND NEVER KNEW UNTIL I STARTED TO FIX CAR THAT THE TOPAZ HAS SO MANY PROBLEMS, BUT GOT TO HAVE SOME THING TO DRIVE, THIS CAR GOT MORE PROBLEMS AND SOME

NHTSA complaint #10069312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kingsburg, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

INTERMITTENTLY ENGINE WILL STALL OUT AND DIE WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER HAS REPLACED FUEL PUMP/ STEPPER MOTOR, AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.

NHTSA complaint #882545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kingsburg, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

INTERMITTENTLY ENGINE WILL STALL OUT AND DIE WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER HAS REPLACED FUEL PUMP/ STEPPER MOTOR, AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.

NHTSA complaint #882545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Odessa, TX

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. THEN ENGINE DIED OUT. WATER PUMP FAILED OR STOPPED WORKING. ENGINE DID NOT OVERHEAT & FAILED TO RESTART.

NHTSA complaint #872026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Odessa, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. THEN ENGINE DIED OUT. WATER PUMP FAILED OR STOPPED WORKING. ENGINE DID NOT OVERHEAT & FAILED TO RESTART.

NHTSA complaint #872026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Odessa, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. THEN ENGINE DIED OUT. WATER PUMP FAILED OR STOPPED WORKING. ENGINE DID NOT OVERHEAT & FAILED TO RESTART.

NHTSA complaint #872026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Southampto, NJ

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

GRILL FELL OFF WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON TWO OCCASIONS. YH

NHTSA complaint #550192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Medford, OR Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND FIRE STARTED. POLICE SAW FLAMES AND PUT THEM OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER, FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO PUT FIRE OUT. FIRE MARSHALL STATED FIRE STARTED WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. BURNED THE RUBBER BUMPER/ BACK TO THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRES, AND UNDER THE HOOD. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #827490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Washington, DC

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

HEADLIGHTS WITH PLASTIC COVER; THE ULTRA VOILET HAS HAZED THE COVER AS IF THERE WERE CATERACTS ON THE COVER. DEALER CONTACTED AND CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER AWARE, BUT NO WARRANTY. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #834101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jamestown, CA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

WHEN RUBBER BUSHING GETS WORN FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM SEPARATES FROM STABLIZER BAR, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERATIVE; MAKES WHEEL FOLD.

NHTSA complaint #809990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Linden, NJ Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

ALTERNATOR FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #511312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lakewood, CO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

INTERMITTENT STALLING.

NHTSA complaint #501768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VAN Couger, WA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

WHILE DRIVING NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE DASH, THEN SAW FLAMES, NO INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #985616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mansfield, OH Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

WHEN CAR WAS STARTED IGNITIONS SWITCH CAUGHT ON FIRE, HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #983539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Harrisonburg, VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

OWNERS HAVE HAD NUMEROUS INTERFERENCES IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ONE OCCASION STARTER STAYED ON UNTIL IT BURNT OUT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #983211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lynwood, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

AFTER BEING PARKED FOR 15-20 MINUTES, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE MELTING ENGINE COMPONENTS UNDERHOOD ALONG W/TIRES. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #983179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Southampto, NJ

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

FRONT GRILL FALLS OFF/GETS BLOWN OFF.

NHTSA complaint #485355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.