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1993 problems

FaultScore report

1993 Mercury Topaz problems

Owners have filed 98 complaints about the 1993 Mercury Topaz with NHTSA between 1995 and 2017. The largest single group is the seat belts. Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 3 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Mercury Topaz All 1993 cars

FaultScore 65/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Mercury Topaz.

How this is worked out

The numbers

Complaints

Crashes reported

Fires reported

Injuries reported

116,252 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

11%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.

Complaint volume — 68: Against the median year of the Mercury Topaz. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 90: 17.3% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 18: 11% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1993 compares with every other Mercury Topaz

Click any bar to open that year's report.

1 13 5 13 28 28 57 67 59 92 98 106 13 1

83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 98

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1993 Mercury Topaz

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Seat Belts 17 17.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 116,252 mi

Engine & Cooling 16 16.3%

0 crashes, 2 fires · median 117,752 mi

Electrical System 14 14.3%

1 crashes, 2 fires

Brakes 13 13.3%

4 crashes, 0 fires · median 117,752 mi

Fuel & Propulsion 6 6.1%

Median failure at 117,752 miles

Suspension 6 6.1%

Median failure at 116,252 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 6 6.1%

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 5 5.1%

Median failure at 116,252 miles

Equipment & Accessories 3 3.1%

Median failure at 116,252 miles

Wheels 3 3.1%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Acceleration & Cruise Control 3 3.1%

Median failure at 34,000 miles

Airbags 2 2.0%

2 crashes, 0 fires

Doors, Latches & Locks 1 1.0%

Median failure at 116,252 miles

Seats 1 1.0%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Tires 1 1.0%

Median failure at 119,252 miles

Lights 1 1.0%

Exactly what failed

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.

Ignition 9 26.5%

Gasoline 4 11.8%

Engine 4 11.8%

Retractor 4 11.8%

Automatic Transmission 4 11.8%

Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs 3 8.8%

Disc 3 8.8%

Foundation Components 3 8.8%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

25,000 – 49,999 miles 2 10.5%

75,000 – 99,999 miles 1 5.3%

100,000 – 149,999 miles 16 84.2%

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.

Feb 1995 peak 9 Sep 2017

NHTSA investigations into the 1993 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.

PE96033 Opened 2 May 1996 Closed 30 Sep 1996 ENGINE 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 1993 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 25 Feb 1997

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 25 Apr 1996

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 1995212 29 Nov 1995 834,368 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 1995202 15 Nov 1995 119,313 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 1995197 2 Nov 1995 243,095 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 1993103 21 Jul 1993 55 units in Canada

Emissions

THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1105 - EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS. FUEL VAPOUR RETURN LINE HOSES IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT MAY NOT BE CONNECTED. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND HOSES CONNECTED WHERE NECESSARY. NOTE: ALL VEHICLES WERE COMPLETED PRIOR TO SALE.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Filed 6 Dec 2004 Beaver Falls, PA Crash

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

THE VEHICLE'S LEFT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN VEERED OFF THE ROAD TOT HE RIGHT AND HIT A GUARDRAIL. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *PH

NHTSA complaint #10057823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 17 Jan 2002 Aboleen, TX Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON CONTINUOUSLY, CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THEY CHANGED ALL SPARK PLUGS AND OIL, THE NEXT DAY CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE AND LESS THAN 5 MINUTES VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.*AK. AFTER THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, THE DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE ENGINE WAS BAD, HOWEVER CONSUMER STATED THAT NO ONE INFORMED HER PRIOR THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE.*SLC

NHTSA complaint #8002424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 17 Feb 1999 Pearisburg, VA Crash 2 injured

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

DURING REAR IMPACT THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK, AND THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SEATBACK BROKE, CAUSING SEAT TO COLLAPSE INTO REAR SEAT. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #825194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 17 Feb 1999 Pearisburg, VA Crash 2 injured

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

DURING REAR IMPACT THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK, AND THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SEATBACK BROKE, CAUSING SEAT TO COLLAPSE INTO REAR SEAT. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #825194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 17 Dec 1998 Carterte, NJ Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #832424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 1 Apr 1998 Palestine, TX Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH VEHICLE WAS STRUCK HEAD-ON BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AIR BAG. CAUSE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #822182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Filed 16 Sep 2017 at 33,000 miles Villa Park, IL

SEAT BELTS

DRIVERS SIDE AUTOMACTIC SHOULDER RETRACTING STUCK AT TOP OF TRACK

NHTSA complaint #11023742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 13 Mar 2012 at 34,000 miles Glendale, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THERE IS A SPEED CONTROL ISSUE. INTERMITTENTLY, THE CAR WILL BECOME LOCKED AT 2 RPM WHILE STILL ACCELERATING TO 65+ MPH. THE DRIVING IS NON-SPECIFIC; I COULD BE IDLING, ON THE FREEWAY OR ON SURFACE STREETS. ALTHOUGH I REMOVE MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR CONTINUES TO SPEED UP. IMMEDIATELY TURNING OFF THE ENGINE DOES NOT ELIMINATE THE ISSUE EITHER. ONCE THE CAR IS TURNED ON AGAIN, IT LOCKS AT 4 RPM WHILE IN PARK. THE ISSUE MAY TAKE UP TO 30MINS TO SUBSIDE. LUCKILY, THE BRAKES HAVE YET TO FAIL WHEN THE CAR VOLUNTARILY ACCELERATES (ALTHOUGH THIS DOES WEAR ON THE BRAKES LIKE CRAZY).

NHTSA complaint #10451503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 6 Dec 2004 Beaver Falls, PA Crash

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

THE VEHICLE'S LEFT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN VEERED OFF THE ROAD TOT HE RIGHT AND HIT A GUARDRAIL. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *PH

NHTSA complaint #10057823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 22 Apr 2004 at 119,252 miles Desert HOT Springs, CA

SEAT BELTS

BOUGHT CAR AT MOONEYS DESERT HOT SPRINGS AUTO SALES IN OCTOBER 10,2002 AS USED CAR. SEAT BELTS DO NOT WORK. SUSPENSION SHAKES, BRAKES MAKE NOISE. FUEL PUMP WENT OUT FIST TRIP. DRIVERS WINDOW DOES NOT RETRACK RIGHT. ENGINE OVER HEAT WHEN IDLING. WATER PUMP WENT OUT. AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER DO NOT WORK.

NHTSA complaint #10069163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 22 Apr 2004 at 119,252 miles Desert HOT Springs, CA

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

NHTSA complaint #10069163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 22 Apr 2004 at 119,252 miles Desert HOT Springs, CA

SUSPENSION

NHTSA complaint #10069163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 22 Apr 2004 at 119,252 miles Desert HOT Springs, CA

TIRES

NHTSA complaint #10069163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 22 Apr 2004 at 119,252 miles Desert HOT Springs, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

NHTSA complaint #10069163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 22 Apr 2004 at 119,252 miles Desert HOT Springs, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

NHTSA complaint #10069163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 22 Apr 2004 at 119,252 miles Desert HOT Springs, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

NHTSA complaint #10069163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 30 Dec 2003 Oakmont, PA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

SEPT 9, 2003 [XXX] FORD MOTOR COMPANY ONE AMERICAN ROAD DEARBORN, MI 48126 DEAR[XXX]: THIS LETTER TO YOU COMES AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS OVER THE YEARS TO COLLECT THE $223.30 CLAIM PAST DUE AND OWED TO ME FOR THE 2002 RECALL ANNOUNCEMENT AND REPLACEMENT OF THE TFI MODULE. AT LOWER LEVELS, I HAVE BEEN TREATED VERY RUDELY, IGNORED, PATRONIZED AND/OR INTERMINABLY REROUTED AND DISCONNECTED AT FORD AND ITS SETTLEMENT AGENTS VOICEMAIL. THERE HAS BEEN NO RESPONSE TO THE APPEAL SENT AND DATED 4-17-03. HOWEVER I SEARCHED AND FOUND THE DEFECTIVE MOTOR CRAFT PART THAT COCHRANS AUTO BODY IN CHESWICK PA 15024 RETURNED TO ME WHEN THEY REPLACED IT. NOW I AM RETURNING IT TO YOU DIRECTLY AS POSITIVE PROOF THAT THE WORK WAS PERFORMED ON MY 1993 MERCURY TOPAZ VIN # [XXX] AND THE $223.30 CLAIM IS LEGITIMATE. PLEASE PROMPTLY SEND ME A CHECK FOR $223.30. ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION HAS BEEN IN THE HANDS OF YOUR SETTLEMENT AGENT SINCE MARCH 23 2002. THANK YOU. YOURS TRULY, [XXX] OCT 21, 2003 FOLLOW UP DUE TO NO RESPONSE NOW THERE HAS BEEN NO RESPONSE FROM YOU. DELIVERY WAS CONFIRMED TO YOUR OFFICE OF THE DEFECTIVE MOTOR CRAFT PART. ITS DIFFICULT TO RECONCILE CUSTOMER DISREGARD WITH FORDS QUALITY IS JOB 1 BRANDING CAMPAIGN! . PLEASE DISBURSE A CHECK TO ME FOR $223.30. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10051309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 29 Dec 2003 Chicago, IL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL BECAME VERY HARD, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, VEHICLE SHUT OFF UNEXPECTEDLY.

NHTSA complaint #10052041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 29 Dec 2003 Chicago, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL BECAME VERY HARD, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, VEHICLE SHUT OFF UNEXPECTEDLY.

NHTSA complaint #10052041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 16 Jun 2003 at 116,252 miles Desert HOT Springs, CA

SEAT BELTS

I PURCHASED A CAR IN OCTOBER OF 2002, THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT WORK,THE A/C AND HEATER DO NOT WORK. FUEL PUMP WENT OUT AFTER AP. 300 MILES, WATER PUMP SHORTLY THERE AFTER. ALL 4 TIRES TREADED APART. ELECTRONIC SIDE MIRRORS DO NOT WORK. GAS GAGE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. HEATS UP WHEN IDLING. EXCESSIVE WOBBLE IN REAR END. FRONT END MAY BE FROM 1992 NOT 1993 MODEL OF CAR. DRIVERS WINDOW DOES NOT RETRACK RIGHT. TRUNK LID HOOK DOES NOT WORK. BRAKES MAKE NOISE. *NLM