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
820.0%
Engine
820.0%
Automatic Transmission
615.0%
Electrical Heating Element
410.0%
Webbing
410.0%
Anchorage
410.0%
Switch
37.5%
Rotor
37.5%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
125.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
125.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
125.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
125.0%
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.
Jun 1995peak 8Sep 2008
NHTSA investigations into the 1992 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.
PE96033Opened 2 May 1996Closed 30 Sep 1996ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES
IN DECEMBER 1995, FORD RECALLED 119,313 VEHICLES IN CANADA TO REMEDY THE SUBJECT CONDITION IN CERTAIN 1992-95 TAURUS, SABLE, TEMPO, TOPAZ AND CONTINENTAL VEHICLES.FORD IS AWARE OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS OCCURRING IN NORTHERN REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES, BUT MAINTAINS THAT THE FREQUENCIES DO NOT WARRANT A FINDING OF AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.
Recalls on the 1992 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
97V019000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
THESE VEHICLES ARE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. THE VEHICLES INVOLVED ARE 1992-1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES WITH 3.0L ENGINES; 1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ WITH 2.3L ENGINES; 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.8L ENGINES; 1994-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.0L ENGINES AND 1992-1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL VEHICLES WITH 3.8L ENGINES. DURING HIGH WINDS, HEAVY, BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, AND LOW TEMPERATURES, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAN BECOME BLOCKED OR FROZEN WITH SNOW. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT ROTATE AND COULD OVERHEAT.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SMOKE OR FLAMES FROM THE FAN AND/OR SHROUD, THE FAN ELECTRICAL WIRING, OR THE FAN MOTOR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
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 1995202119,313 units in Canada
Electrical
NOTE: 1992-94 TEMPO/TOPAZ WITH 3.0 LITRE ENGINES; 1994-95 TAURUS/SABLE (EXCEPT SHO) WITH 3.0 LITRE ENGINES; 1992-93 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.8 LITRE ENGINES; 1992-94 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE ENGINE COOLING FAN MAY BECOME FROZEN IN PLACE BY SNOW, ICE OR SLUSH. IF THIS OCCURS AND THE COOLING FAN IS ACTIVATED, EITHER AUTOMATICALLY TO REDUCE COOLANT TEMPERATURE OR WHEN THE DEFROSTER IS TURNED ON, THE COOLING FAN WILL NOT ROTATE AND CAN OVERHEAT. THIS CAN DAMAGE THE FAN MOTOR, FAN, FAN WIRING AND SHROUD WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR SMOKE OR A FIRE TO RESULT. CORRECTION: IN SOME CASES, THE FUSE FOR THE COOLING FAN CIRCUIT WILL BE REPLACED WITH A SMALLER FUSE. IN OTHER CASES, A JUMPER HARNESS WITH DEDICATED CIRCUIT PROTECTION FOR THE COOLING FAN WILL BE INSTALLED.
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 199212316,663 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
Certain vehicles do not comply with CMVSSS. 208 - seat belt installations. The french language version of the air bag maintenance/information/instruction label was not installed. Note: for taurus models only police and sho vehicles are affected. Correction: French language labels will be mailed to affected owners.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 46,000 milesCoral Springs, FLFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL.*MR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED FLAMES BURST OUT FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED (96V-071000) BUT THE CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED THE NOTICE. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. *TS *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10044838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Irvington, KYCrash2 injured
SEATS
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #735634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
OAK Park, MIFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 30-35MPH AND STARTED SMELLING SMOKE COMING THROUGH THE VENTS OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER PULLED INTO DRIVEWAY & GOT OUT. WITHIN MINUTES, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT MANUFACTURER & FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #859093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Germantown, MDCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET AT 40 MPH GOT STUCK AND WOULD NOT RELEASE EVEN BY HITTING THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON OR APPLYING BRAKES,WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #835164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nashotah, WIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
ELECTRICAL FIRE UNDER DASH ENGULFED CAR PARKED ON DRIVEWAY AFTER SITTING.
NHTSA complaint #702978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Campbell, OHFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #520760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 30 milesCenterville, TN
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MERCURY TOPAZ. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25-30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. IT ONLY ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY WITH A MECHANIC. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30.
NHTSA complaint #10242650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,000 milesMooresville, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE IGNITION SWITCH FELL APART 3 TIMES ON THE TOPAZ SINCE 1995, THE SWITCHES I BOUGHT AT FORD DEALERSHIP WAS THE EXACT SAME ONE THAT FELL APART. FIRST THE ACCESSORIES STOP WORKED ONE AT A TIME, A/C, TURN SIGNALS, RADIO, AIR CONDITIONING. THEN I PULL IT OUT AND REPLACED THE SWITCH, I CARRY AN EXTRA ONE IN T CAR AND HAVE THE REPLACEMENT DOWN TO 45 MINUTES. I REPLACED THE SWITCH NOW WHEN THE SECOND SIGN OF FAILURE OCCURRED. I HAVE A SMALL POUCH WITH ALL THE TOOLS. I NEED TO CHANGE THE PART AND HAVE THE BOLTS AND SCREWS MARKED THAT I HAVE TO TAKE OUT. I EVEN WRITE THE DATE AND MILEAGE I CHANGE IT IN MY SERVICE MANUAL SO I ALMOST CAN TELL WHEN THE NEST FAILURE WILL OCCUR. I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE REPLACEMENT SWITCHES WHEN I CAN BUY THEM AT A DEALERSHIP FOR ANY WHERE FROM $9 FOR FIRST TO $16 THIS LAST TIME. THE LAST THING I BOUGHT THAT CHEAP WAS A PAIR OF WINDSHIELD WIPERS AT A DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #10195557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesFolsom, NJ
SEAT BELTS
TO WHOM THIS MAY CONCERN; I BROUGHT MY DAUGHTER'S CAR IN FOR SEATBELT REPAIR. THERE WAS FAILURE OF THE SHOULDER STRAP TO OPEN WHEN GETTING INTO THE CAR. MY COMPLAINT IS WITH THE DEALERSHIP HAMMONTON AUTO GROUP WHITE HORSE PIKE HAMMONTON NJ. ON 6/25 THE CAR WAS BROUGHT IN- CHARGING $80 TO DIAGNOSE THAT THE SWITCH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEEDED REPLACING. THE PART COST $10 THE JOB WAS TO COST $260 - WHICH I FEEL WAS A CUSTOMER RIPOFF. WE DECIDED TO GET THE JOB DONE DESPITE THE OUTRAGEOUS COST. ON 6/26 WHEN WE ARRIVED TO PICK UP THE CAR-THIS SERVICE DEPT FIXED THE DRIVER SIDE WHICH WAS NEVER BROKEN IN THE FIRST PLACE. THEY DID NOT NOTICE THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DIDN'T WORK AFTER AN $80 DIAGNOSTICS FEE. I AM NEVER GOING TO THIS PARTICULAR DEALERSHIP AGAIN. I AM ALSO REPORTING THIS TO THE BBB AND TO WHOEVER ELSE I CAN COMPLAIN TO. THIS IS WHY SO MANY AMERICANS ARE NOT BUYING FROM FORD ANYMORE.
NHTSA complaint #10070466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 46,000 milesCoral Springs, FLFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL.*MR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED FLAMES BURST OUT FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED (96V-071000) BUT THE CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED THE NOTICE. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. *TS *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10044838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duluth, GA
SEAT BELTS
THIS VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL# 96V071000 CONCERNING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION SWITCH. IGNITION SWITCH MUST BE MANEUVERED FOR SOME ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PARTS TO FUNCTION. FOR INSTANCE, AIR CONDITIONER WILL COME ON BY MANEUVERING THE IGNITION SWITCH. ALSO, ELECTRIC SEAT BELTS/POWER WINDOWS/ TURN SIGNALS, AND BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T OPERATE.
NHTSA complaint #10037961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duluth, GA
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
THIS VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL# 96V071000 CONCERNING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION SWITCH. IGNITION SWITCH MUST BE MANEUVERED FOR SOME ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PARTS TO FUNCTION. FOR INSTANCE, AIR CONDITIONER WILL COME ON BY MANEUVERING THE IGNITION SWITCH. ALSO, ELECTRIC SEAT BELTS/POWER WINDOWS/ TURN SIGNALS, AND BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T OPERATE.
NHTSA complaint #10037961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duluth, GA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
THIS VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL# 96V071000 CONCERNING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION SWITCH. IGNITION SWITCH MUST BE MANEUVERED FOR SOME ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PARTS TO FUNCTION. FOR INSTANCE, AIR CONDITIONER WILL COME ON BY MANEUVERING THE IGNITION SWITCH. ALSO, ELECTRIC SEAT BELTS/POWER WINDOWS/ TURN SIGNALS, AND BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T OPERATE.
NHTSA complaint #10037961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duluth, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THIS VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL# 96V071000 CONCERNING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION SWITCH. IGNITION SWITCH MUST BE MANEUVERED FOR SOME ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PARTS TO FUNCTION. FOR INSTANCE, AIR CONDITIONER WILL COME ON BY MANEUVERING THE IGNITION SWITCH. ALSO, ELECTRIC SEAT BELTS/POWER WINDOWS/ TURN SIGNALS, AND BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T OPERATE.
NHTSA complaint #10037961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duluth, GA
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
THIS VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL# 96V071000 CONCERNING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION SWITCH. IGNITION SWITCH MUST BE MANEUVERED FOR SOME ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PARTS TO FUNCTION. FOR INSTANCE, AIR CONDITIONER WILL COME ON BY MANEUVERING THE IGNITION SWITCH. ALSO, ELECTRIC SEAT BELTS/POWER WINDOWS/ TURN SIGNALS, AND BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T OPERATE.
NHTSA complaint #10037961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duluth, GA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
THIS VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL# 96V071000 CONCERNING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION SWITCH. IGNITION SWITCH MUST BE MANEUVERED FOR SOME ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PARTS TO FUNCTION. FOR INSTANCE, AIR CONDITIONER WILL COME ON BY MANEUVERING THE IGNITION SWITCH. ALSO, ELECTRIC SEAT BELTS/POWER WINDOWS/ TURN SIGNALS, AND BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T OPERATE.
NHTSA complaint #10037961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sparta, WI
SEAT BELTS
CONSUMER HAS HAD PAST PROBLEMS WITH FRONT AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS ON BOTH SIDES. AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RETRACT BACK. BELT HAS TO BE TUGGED ON TO RETRACT. MOTOR MAKES A GRINDING AND RATTLING NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #889918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenfield, WI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND COMING UP TO A STOP LIGHT/SIGN VEHICLE WOULD STALL OUT. HAD NO PRIOR WARNING. HAD NOT BEEN TO A DEALERSHIP TO INVESTIGATE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #887613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lithonia, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE STALLS AT SLOW SPEEDS, 35 MPH AND WHEN COMING TO A STOP.
NHTSA complaint #882254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tucson, AZ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
STALLING AT HIGH TEMPERATURES, WON'T START AGAIN FOR 15-30 MINITUES. POSSIBLY A BAD IGNITION MODULE.
NHTSA complaint #740188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OH
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CABLE LINKAGE WAS REPAIRED. THERE ARE NUMEROUS SERVICE BULLETINS THAT REFER TO THIS PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint #555799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN QUIT WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #555799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OH
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
THE DRIVER'S SIDE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM(SHOULDER BELT) LOCKED UP AND BECAME NON-OPERATIONAL. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS STARTED THERE IS A HORRIBLE NOISE THAT IS EMITTED FROM THE SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLY UNIT. THE SAME IDENTICAL PROBLEM OCCURED WITH THE SHOULDER BELT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #555799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OH
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CABLE LINKAGE WAS REPAIRED. THERE ARE NUMEROUS SERVICE BULLETINS THAT REFER TO THIS PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint #555799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN QUIT WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #555799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OH
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
THE DRIVER'S SIDE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM(SHOULDER BELT) LOCKED UP AND BECAME NON-OPERATIONAL. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS STARTED THERE IS A HORRIBLE NOSIE THAT IS EMITTED FROM THE SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLY UNIT. THE SAME IDENTICAL PROBLEM OCCURED WITH THE SHOULDER BELT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #555799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Irvington, KYCrash2 injured
SEATS
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #735634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lyndhurst, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE LEAKING HEAD GASKET CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. YH
NHTSA complaint #552868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rimersburg, PA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
CONSUMER TOOK CAR OUT FOR A TEST DRIVE AND IT SEEMED FINE. HOWEVER, AFTER CONSUMER LEFT THE LOT, LEFT BALL JOINT BROKE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SWERVE ALL OVER THE ROAD. CONSUMER HAD TO DRIVE 10MPH TO GET VEHICLE HOME.
NHTSA complaint #864680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
OAK Park, MIFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 30-35MPH AND STARTED SMELLING SMOKE COMING THROUGH THE VENTS OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER PULLED INTO DRIVEWAY & GOT OUT. WITHIN MINUTES, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT MANUFACTURER & FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #859093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roanoke, AL
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
CROSSMEMBER BAR ON THE LEFT REAR AXEL BROKE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COLLAPSE. DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE.
NHTSA complaint #858285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.