59 of the
581 complaints filed about the Mercury Topaz
are about the braking system —
10% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1993.
MY DAUGHTER IS CURRENTLY DRIVING A 1994 MERCURY TOPAZ GS THAT I HAVE REGISTERED WITH FORD MOTOR. LAST WEEK SHE EXPERIENCED A FRONT WHEEL ON FIRE AS A RESULT OF AN OVERHEATING BRAKE. THE BRAKE WAS REPAIRED AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SPLASH SHEILD THAT IS NEXT TO THE ROTOR WAS MADE OF A PLASTIC TYPE COMPOSITE THAT OVERHEATED AND BURST INTO FLAME. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A BURNED TIRE AND SUBSEQUENT BLOWOUT AND ACCIDENT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10078539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
HAD VARY PROBLEMS WITH CAR YOU NAME IT IT HAS BROKE ON IT , I BROUGHT IT USED AND NEVER KNEW UNTIL I STARTED TO FIX CAR THAT THE TOPAZ HAS SO MANY PROBLEMS, BUT GOT TO HAVE SOME THING TO DRIVE, THIS CAR GOT MORE PROBLEMS AND SOME
NHTSA complaint #10069312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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
NHTSA complaint #10023191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
SUDDEN APPLICATION OF FOOT BRAKE CAUSES RIGHT FRONT BRAKE TO LOCK. NO BRAKING ON OTHER 3 WHEELS. ABLE TO STOP ONLY BY USING HAND BRAKE AND STEERING TO AVOID COLLISION. REPLACED BRAKES TO NO EFFECT.
NHTSA complaint #723572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN TRAVELING 30 MPH ON WET PAVEMENT, AND UPON DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL, PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR BOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS YET TO REPLACE PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #848336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.