Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1988 Mercury Topaz
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
932.1%
0 crashes, 4 fires · median 80,513 mi
Seat Belts
725.0%
Median failure at 214,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
414.3%
Median failure at 214,000 miles
Lights
27.1%
Steering
27.1%
1 crashes, 1 fires · median 214,000 mi
Other & Unspecified
13.6%
Median failure at 214,000 miles
Seats
13.6%
Brakes
13.6%
Transmission & Drivetrain
13.6%
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 1995peak 4Apr 2004
NHTSA investigations into the 1988 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.
PE96005Opened 19 Jan 1996Closed 28 May 1996SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
REAR BRK ADJUSTER FAILURE
1984 - 1991 FORD TEMPO/MERCURY TOPAZ
DP96002Opened 11 Jan 1996Closed 19 Jan 1996SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
REAR BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE
EA90008Opened 27 Dec 1989Closed 31 Dec 1991SEAT 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
Recalls on the 1988 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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 1995212834,368 units in Canada
Electrical
A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD DEVELOP IN THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE OR UNATTENDED. CORRECTION: IGNITION SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REVISED DESIGN SWITCH.
Recall 198802719,050 units in Canada
Engine
THE ATTACHMENT SCREWS FOR THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR COULD LOOSEN AND BACK OUT ALLOWING THE THROTTLE SENSOR TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE THROTTLE SHAFT. A LOOSE SENSOR COULD PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION WHICH IN TURN COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLE CONTROL. CORRECTION: ATTACHMENT SCREWS WILL BE REPLACED USING SCREWS WITH PRE-APPLIED ADHESIVE THAT WILL BE TIGHTENED TO A HIGHER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Oklahoma City, OKCrashFire1 killed
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
POWER STEERING FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT/DEATH.
NHTSA complaint #509603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plano, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WIRING HARNESS UNDER HOOD SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #504680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hammond, INFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #504662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Piqua, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY,IGNITION SWITCH CAUGHT AND STEERING COLUMN.
NHTSA complaint #983959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Piqua, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY,IGNITION SWITCH CAUGHT AND STEERING COLUMN.
NHTSA complaint #983959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glendale, CA1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
PROBLEM WITH POWER SEAT CONTROL SWITCH CAUSED INJURY DURING ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #482551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 214,000 milesMayflower, AR
SEAT BELTS
MY AIR CONDITIONING WON'T WORK, MY STEERING IS A PROBLEM, WHEN I HIT THE GAS PEDAL ONCE AND THEN LET GO OF IT, MY STEERING WHEEL MOVES BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL POSITON. MY VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKS SO BAD THAT IT SMOKES. I PUT 3 QUARTS IN IT TO GO ABOUT 20 MILES AND THAT REALLY SUCKS.
NHTSA complaint #10070262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 214,000 milesMayflower, AR
STEERING
MY AIR CONDITIONING WON'T WORK, MY STEERING IS A PROBLEM, WHEN I HIT THE GAS PEDAL ONCE AND THEN LET GO OF IT, MY STEERING WHEEL MOVES BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL POSITON. MY VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKS SO BAD THAT IT SMOKES. I PUT 3 QUARTS IN IT TO GO ABOUT 20 MILES AND THAT REALLY SUCKS.
NHTSA complaint #10070262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 214,000 milesMayflower, AR
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY AIR CONDITIONING WON'T WORK, MY STEERING IS A PROBLEM, WHEN I HIT THE GAS PEDAL ONCE AND THEN LET GO OF IT, MY STEERING WHEEL MOVES BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL POSITON. MY VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKS SO BAD THAT IT SMOKES. I PUT 3 QUARTS IN IT TO GO ABOUT 20 MILES AND THAT REALLY SUCKS.
NHTSA complaint #10070262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 214,000 milesMayflower, AR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY AIR CONDITIONING WON'T WORK, MY STEERING IS A PROBLEM, WHEN I HIT THE GAS PEDAL ONCE AND THEN LET GO OF IT, MY STEERING WHEEL MOVES BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL POSITON. MY VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKS SO BAD THAT IT SMOKES. I PUT 3 QUARTS IN IT TO GO ABOUT 20 MILES AND THAT REALLY SUCKS.
NHTSA complaint #10070262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,513 milesCommack, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I FILED A COMPLAIN WITH FORD RELATIVE THE TFI MODULE WITH COPIES OF THE BILL. I WAS REIMBURSED FOR MUCH OF THE EXPENSE LESS $70. I CALLED, FORD COULD NOT DISCUSS ON PHONE, WAS TOLD TO WRITE COMPLAIN TO A FORD GROUP IN CA. THIS WAS 3 WEEKS AGO, STILL NO RESPONSE FROM FORD. THE CHECK, DATED 4/4/2003 WAS FOR THE SUM OF $482.84, MY TOTAL COST FOR THE TOWING AND REPAIRS WAS $559.47. THERE IS NO-ONE THAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REACH AT FORD WHO WILL EVEN ANSWER QUESTIONS RELATIVE THIS SETTLEMENT! *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10016553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Brighton, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
IN THE CASE OF THE DEFECTIVE FORD IGNITION MODULES( HOWARD VS FORD), ALL THE CLAIMS THAT I SENT IN WERE REJECTED BY FORD. THEY SEEM TO BE USING THE "JUMP THROUGH THE HOOP TACTIC" IS THIS HOW ONE OF THE MOST DEFECTIVE AUTOMOTIVE PART RECALL BE HANDLED? IN MY CASE THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL CRASH DUE TO THE IGNITION MODULE FAILING WHILE DRIVING. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10014249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Daytona Beach, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE STALLS WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS
NHTSA complaint #10000844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Commack, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE TFI MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE, CONSUMER FEELS THAT SHE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED SINCE THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AGAINST FORD IN CA REGARDING THIS EXACT PROBLEM. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #564086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Commack, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE TFI MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE, CONSUMER FEELS THAT SHE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED SINCE THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AGAINST FORD IN CA REGARDING THIS EXACT PROBLEM. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #564086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eaton, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE STALLS WHEN APPLYING GAS PEDAL INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. IT IS WORSE IN WINTER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #879032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodstock, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK & WOBBLE IN REAR. TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP & WAS INFORMED THAT MOTOR MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #836704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Perth Ambo, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE WILL NOT GO ABOVE 20 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #544060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Edinburg, VA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY LENS DETERIORATED, DIRTY/CONTAMINDATED, IMPAIRS DRIVERS VISION WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, ACCORDING TO DEALER THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED REPLACING. *AK
NHTSA complaint #817390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
OAK Park, MI
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
THE RESTRAINT RELEASE ON THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RELEASE THE BELT WHEN PUSHED . THE OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A INDEPENDENT DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME OF THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM IS BENT. THE DEALER TOLD OWNER THAT AFTER THREE YEARS THERE WAS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE WITHOUT CHARGING THE OWNER.
NHTSA complaint #816584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oklahoma City, OKCrashFire1 killed
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
POWER STEERING FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT/DEATH.
NHTSA complaint #509603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Framingham, MA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILS TO STAY LATCHED.
NHTSA complaint #507507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Massatequa P, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES WEAR OUT AT 12,000 TO 15,000. PLEASE DESCRIBE .
NHTSA complaint #987023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ALT Spring, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
PLASTIC HEAD LAMP LENSES BECOME OPAGUE DUE TO SUNLIGHT, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY.
NHTSA complaint #504822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plano, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WIRING HARNESS UNDER HOOD SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #504680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hammond, INFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #504662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Piqua, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY,IGNITION SWITCH CAUGHT AND STEERING COLUMN.
NHTSA complaint #983959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Piqua, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY,IGNITION SWITCH CAUGHT AND STEERING COLUMN.
NHTSA complaint #983959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Merrick, NY
SEAT BELTS
THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER SEAT BELT BROKE AND HAS TO BE REPLACED A SECOND TIME. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #980601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Merrick, NY
SEAT BELTS
THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER SEAT BELT BROKE AND HAS TO BE REPLACED A SECOND TIME. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #980601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Merrick, NY
SEAT BELTS
THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER SEAT BELT BROKE AND HAS TO BE REPLACED A SECOND TIME. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #980601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.