12 of the
92 complaints about the 1992 Mercury Topaz are about the
electrical system — 13% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
61,000 miles.
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 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
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.
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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN QUIT WORKING.
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.
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.
Burlington, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
STARTER FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #514001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
N. Versailles, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN FAILED DUE TO A BENT PART FROM FACTORY.
NHTSA complaint #517301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Myrtle Beach, SC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
DURING VEHICLE OPERATION THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS BEEN A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 7 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #804348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sandusky, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR (7) HOURS IT CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN.
NHTSA complaint #801951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Silver BAY, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
COMPUTER CAUSED PROBLEMS DUE TO LOOSE WIRE.
NHTSA complaint #501763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.