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.
Switch
722.6%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator
516.1%
Gasoline
516.1%
Ignition
412.9%
Foundation Components
412.9%
Accelerator Pedal
26.5%
AIR Conditioner
26.5%
TIE ROD Assembly
26.5%
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 9Aug 2002
NHTSA investigations into the 1990 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 1990 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.
90E043001
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.
Risk: INFLATOR COMPONENT SEPARATION ALLOWS HOT COMBUSTION GASES TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURIES TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
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.
Recall 1992077464,543 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
NOTE: ALSO INCLUDES SOME MEDIUM AND HEAVY TRUCKS. THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 108 - LIGHTING. DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT MODULE MAY MALFUNCTION WHICH CAN RESULT IN DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS THAT DIM, FLICKER OR GO OFF OR IN SOME INSTANCES MAY REMAIN ON AFTER THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. CORRECTION: DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT MODULE WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Recall 1992011107,040 units in Canada
Emissions
NOTE: TEMPO/TOPAZ WITH 2.3 LITRE ENGINE AND AEROSTAR WITH 3.0 LITRE ENGINE. THESE VEHICLES SO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. DEFECTIVE THROTTLE POSITION SENSORS CAN WEAR OUT PREMATURELY CAUSING AN INTERRUPTION OF THE SENSOR SIGNAL AND ILLUMINATION OF THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT. CORRECTION: THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY.
Recall 199018211,394 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER SIDE SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG, THE CENTRE POST THREADS OF THE AIR BAG MODULE MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY. IN A DEPLOYMENT LEVEL COLLISION, THE CENTRE POST HOUSING MAY SEPARATE FROM THE AIR BAG ADAPTER CAUSING THE AIR BAG NOT TO INFLATE PROPERLY. IN ADDITION, HOT COMBUSTION GASES WOULD FLOW DIRECTLY THROUGH THE AIR BAG RATHER THAN THROUGH THE NORMAL FILTERING AND COOLING DEVICES, PRESENTING THE POSSIBILITY OF BURN INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS. CORRECTION: AIR BAG MODULES WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Henderson, NVFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE STARTED IN THE STEERING COLUMN. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 7774/IGNITION SWITCH. FORD ADVISED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #863031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MDFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
COPIES OF FORM O.M.B. NO. 2127-0008 SENT VIA US MAIL, AND E-MAIL TO: HTTP://WWW.NHTSA.DOT.GOV
NHTSA complaint #711408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Balitmore, MDFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
BROTHER HAD DRIVEN THE CAR TO GET IT WASHED. THEN DROVE TO A RESTUARANT, AND THE CAR STARTED SMOKING AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #844055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salt Lake, UTFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR SOCKET FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #532285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Berkley, CACrash
SEAT BELTS
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.
NHTSA complaint #812253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lancaster, OHCrash
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER'S LUGS/NUTS CAME OFF, CAUSING A CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #805823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Gilford, NH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE STALLED 7 TIMES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER 5 TIMES, IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED TWICE, MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH ONCE ,AND STARTER ONCE.
NHTSA complaint #8016872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gilford, NH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
VEHICLE STALLED 7 TIMES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER 5 TIMES, IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED TWICE, MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH ONCE ,AND STARTER ONCE.
NHTSA complaint #8016872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gilford, NH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE STALLED 7 TIMES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER 5 TIMES, IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED TWICE, MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH ONCE ,AND STARTER ONCE.
NHTSA complaint #8016872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Antonio, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHT COVERS MADE OF PLASTIC BECAME YELLOW, AND MAKES NIGHT DRIVING DIFFICULT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8006919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Staten ISL, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
THE VEHICLE'S TPI MODULE IS DEFECTIVE AND IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL INTERMITTENTLY, CONSUMER REQUEST THAT THE MANUFACTURER REPLACE THIS COMPONENT AT THEIR EXPENSE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #560368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Colgate, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. THEN, IT TAKES A MINUTE OR TWO TO START IT OVER. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #873179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Henderson, NVFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE STARTED IN THE STEERING COLUMN. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 7774/IGNITION SWITCH. FORD ADVISED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #863031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lancaster, MN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
IDLES TO FAST ,BEYOND HIGH IDLE ,UNCONTROLABLE SPEED WHILE DRIVING
NHTSA complaint #701668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MDFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
COPIES OF FORM O.M.B. NO. 2127-0008 SENT VIA US MAIL, AND E-MAIL TO: HTTP://WWW.NHTSA.DOT.GOV
NHTSA complaint #711408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Balitmore, MDFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
BROTHER HAD DRIVEN THE CAR TO GET IT WASHED. THEN DROVE TO A RESTUARANT, AND THE CAR STARTED SMOKING AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #844055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Meridian, MS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
RIGHT HEADLIGHT LENSE COVER CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING. NM
NHTSA complaint #545235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vero Beach, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
ALTERNATOR LEAD TO THE BATTERY MELTED.
NHTSA complaint #544804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Park Ridge, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
ALTERNATOR HAS FAILED ON SIX OCCASIONS RESULTING IN BURNT WIRING AND DAMAGE TO OTHER COMPONENTS, RECALL NOTICE SENT IN REGARDS TO THE IGNITION SWITCH WHICH STATED POSSIBILITY OF FIRE AND BURNING, WHICH COULD HAVE POSSIBLY BEEN RELATED TO ALTERNATOR FAILURES, PRIOR TO NOTICE.
NHTSA complaint #533914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Park Ridge, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR HAS FAILED ON SIX OCCASIONS RESULTING IN BURNT WIRING AND DAMAGE TO OTHER COMPONENTS.
NHTSA complaint #533914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carol Stream, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
THE ALTENATOR CONNECTING WIRES GET HOT, AND THEY HAVE A TENDENCY TO MELT AND CATCH ON FIRE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #830037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bakersfiel, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CONTINUES TO FAIL, CAUSING BURNING AND SMOKING AT THE HARNESS AREA RESULTING IN DAMAGING OTHER COMPONENTS.
NHTSA complaint #507488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Alamos, NM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE SMELL OF BURNED OIL AND SMOKE VISIBLE FROM THE FRONT GRILLE WAS CAUSED BY AN OIL LEAK. THE OIL PAN AND VALVE COVER NEED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE THE LEAK LEADS TO A FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #536850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Park Ridge, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED 6 TIMES DUE TO BURNT WIRING.
NHTSA complaint #523835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cedar City, UT
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHENEVER ENGINE IS COLD ACCELERATOR PEDAL GETS STUCK. NEEDS TO PRESS VERY HARD IN ORDER FOR IT TO CATCH. TOOK TO DEALER & MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM WHICH OCCURS FREQUENTLY, BUT INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #822771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cedar City, UT
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHENEVER ENGINE I S COLD, TE ACCELERATOR PEDAL GETS STUCK. NEEDS TO PRESS VERY HARD TO GET IT TO CATCH. TOOK TO DEALER & MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE PROBLEM. AT BEST IT'S FREQUENT AND INTERMITTENT.
NHTSA complaint #822774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salt Lake, UTFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR SOCKET FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #532285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Falls Church, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
NINE MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM FELL OFF, REPLACED EXTENSION PIPE, MUFFLER,TAIL PIPE, CLAMP.
NHTSA complaint #515627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Falls Church, VA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #515627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Falls Church, VA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
PASSENGER'S SHOULDER BELT INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #515627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Falls Church, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MOTOR MOUNTS DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #515627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.