NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Gasoline
724.1%
Switch
413.8%
Ignition
413.8%
Automatic Transmission
413.8%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator
310.3%
Drum
310.3%
Accelerator Pedal
26.9%
Fuel Pump
26.9%
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.
Jan 1995peak 11Mar 2008
NHTSA investigations into the 1989 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 1989 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
96V071000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
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 1995197243,095 units in Canada
Engine
EXTENDED HIGHWAY OPERATION DURING VERY LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURES (-20 DEGREES CENTIGRADE OR BELOW) MAY RESULT IN ICE FORMING IN THE POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) SYSTEM. IF THIS OCCURS, THE CRANKCASE MAY BECOME PRESSURIZED, WHICH COULD FORCE OIL OUT OF THE ENGINE. IF THE OIL IS FORCED PAST THE ROCKER COVER GASKET, IT COULD CONTACT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, WHICH POTENTIALLY COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL INSTALL REVISED, COOLANT HEATED PCV SYSTEMS.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Belle Harbor, NYFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE OVERHEATED AND CAUGHT FIRE. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #784374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Douglassville, PACrash2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, VEHICLE LOSS CONTROL CAUSING CONSUMER TO RUN INTO A WALL WHICH RESULTED IN NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG SYSTEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #842220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fernley, NVFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
15-20 MINUTES AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. UNDER INVESTIGATIONS AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #818979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ashland, WIFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #505286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Theodore, ALFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CAR WAS PARKED AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE .
NHTSA complaint #802411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Humble, TXCrash
SEAT BELTS
THE AUTOMATIC RETRACTING SEATBELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE DRIVER IN AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
NHTSA complaint #972385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Mount Vernon, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I SAW ON SCHUCKS.COM THAT MY CAR WAS PART OF A RECALL FOR AN INTERNAL IGNITION SHORT CIRCUIT AND MY CAR HAS HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS SUCH AS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE AND MY CAR IS FINE IT ONLY HAS 65,000+ MILES ON IT AND IT TURNS OFF 2-3 SECS AFTER TURNING IT ON THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP IT ON IS IF I GIVE IT GAS.
NHTSA complaint #10221339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,000 milesSterling, IL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CAR KEEPS STALLING WHEN IN AN IDLE POSITION (LIKE AT A STOP LIGHT).TAKES ABOUT 10 TRIES TO GET IT TO START,AND KEEP RUNNING.WILL IDLE HIGH THEN IDLE LOW THEN IDLE HIGH AGAIN THEN DIE...
NHTSA complaint #10069005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,000 milesSterling, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CAR KEEPS STALLING WHEN IN AN IDLE POSITION (LIKE AT A STOP LIGHT).TAKES ABOUT 10 TRIES TO GET IT TO START,AND KEEP RUNNING.WILL IDLE HIGH THEN IDLE LOW THEN IDLE HIGH AGAIN THEN DIE...
NHTSA complaint #10069005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,000 milesSterling, IL
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
CAR KEEPS STALLING WHEN IN AN IDLE POSITION (LIKE AT A STOP LIGHT).TAKES ABOUT 10 TRIES TO GET IT TO START,AND KEEP RUNNING.WILL IDLE HIGH THEN IDLE LOW THEN IDLE HIGH AGAIN THEN DIE...
NHTSA complaint #10069005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Paul, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR HAD THREE SETS OF WIRES REPLACED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8018028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Benton Harbor, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE STALLS DAILY ONLY AT A STOP STAND STILL POSTION. CONSUMER HAS BEEN TO SEVERAL DEALERS, THEY COULD NOT FIND A REMEDY.*AK CONSUMER STATES THIS FAILURE HAS ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #886098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Belle Harbor, NYFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE OVERHEATED AND CAUGHT FIRE. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #784374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plattsburgh, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #736115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ANN Arbor, MI
SEAT BELTS
DRIVERS MOTORBELT WILL NOT RETURN TO SHOULDER ONCE IGNITION SWITCH HAS TURNED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #555222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Presque Isle, ME
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE REPORTED HERE WAS REACALLED IN 1997 AND WAS TAKEN IN FOR REPAIRS AND WHEN I GOT IT BACK THE STEERING WAS MESSED UP. THE DEALER OF REAPIRS WAS NOTIFIED BUT DID NOT CONTACT ME BACK! I HAVE LONG SINCE HAD TONS OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR! IT CONTINUOUSLY KEPT STALLING OUT AND LOST POWER GOING UPHILL ON A HIGHWAY!
NHTSA complaint #725593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portsmouth, VA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE PAST FIVE MPH WITH APPLICATION OF GAS PEDAL. DEALER STATED VEHCLE NEEDED NEW TRANSMISSION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #861008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portsmouth, VA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE PAST FIVE MPH WITH APPLICATION OF GAS PEDAL. DEALER STATED VEHCLE NEEDED NEW TRANSMISSION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #861008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beckley, WV
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT UP AHEAD, VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND SHUT OFF. AK
NHTSA complaint #860169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Johnson City, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE & NOTICED AN ODOR INSIDE VEHICLE. THE BATTERY LIGHT FLASHED ON. AT HOME CHECKED UNDER HOOD. NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM WIRE HARNESS NEAR THE ALTERNATOR. THE PLASTIC WIRE HARNESS HAD MELTED DOWN. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE WIRE HARNESS & THE ALTERNATOR DUE TO BEING SHORTED OUT.
NHTSA complaint #855237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Johnson City, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE & NOTICED AN ODOR INSIDE VEHICLE. THE BATTERY LIGHT FLASHED ON. AT HOME CHECKED UNDER HOOD. NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM WIRE HARNESS NEAR THE ALTERNATOR. THE PLASTIC WIRE HARNESS HAD MELTED DOWN. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE WIRE HARNESS & THE ALTERNATOR DUE TO BEING SHORTED OUT.
NHTSA complaint #855237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portsmouth, VA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE PAST 5MPH WITH APPLICATION OF GAS PEDAL. DLR SAYS NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION. MJS
NHTSA complaint #848641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Douglassville, PACrash2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, VEHICLE LOSS CONTROL CAUSING CONSUMER TO RUN INTO A WALL WHICH RESULTED IN NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG SYSTEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #842220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FT. Collins, CO
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
BOTH HEADLIGHT LENSES HAVE BECOME OPAQUE, BECOMING WORSE OVER THE YEARS, RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT ILLUMINATION AT NIGHT, CAUSING DRIVER TO TRY NOT TO DRIVE ON HIGHWAYS AFTER DARK.
NHTSA complaint #706764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Allentown, PA
SEAT BELTS
DRIVER'S SIDE MOTORIZED SEAT BELT FAILS WITH BELT IN THE FULL FORWARD POSITION. THIS LEAVES THE DRIVER WITHOUT ANY RESTRAINT BEING AVAILABLE. THIS MEANS THE DRIVER CAN EASILY SUSTAIN FAR GREATER INJURIES IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #705183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Steubenville, OH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ONLY IN TWO OCCURRENCES VEHICLE SURGES UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #834752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Southfield, MI
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL STALL WITHOUT ANY WARNING BUT THE VEHICLE WILL START UP AGAIN. TOOK TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #824811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tampa, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER KEPT HEARING LOUD NOISES WHEN SHIFTING. WENT TO 4 DIFFERENT MECHANICS, COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM UNTIL THE FOURTH MECHANIC SAID THE NOISE WAS COMING BECAUSE THERE WERE 2 BROKEN MOTOR MOUNTS.
NHTSA complaint #819689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fernley, NVFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
15-20 MINUTES AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. UNDER INVESTIGATIONS AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #818979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Niskayuna, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLS WHEN ACCELERATING. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #816873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Marcos, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING IN HOT WEATHER, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATS, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN, RESULTING IN VEHICLE STALLING.
NHTSA complaint #816196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.