Ignition
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
Model year record
1990 Mercury Topaz recalls & problems
The 1990 Mercury Topaz has 2 safety recalls and 48 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (23 complaints).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints48filed by owners
Crashes · fires3 · 11reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Frontal
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Fuel economy
Topaz
24mpg combined
| City / highway | 21 / 30 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel
Topaz
21mpg combined
| City / highway | 19 / 24 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Topaz
21mpg combined
| City / highway | 18 / 26 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Topaz AWD
19mpg combined
| City / highway | 17 / 22 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemIgnition › Switch; Alternator/generator/regulator | 23 | — |
| Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Exhaust system | 9 | — |
| Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal; Linkages | 6 | — |
| Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components; Foundation components › Drum | 6 | — |
| SteeringLinkages › Tie rod assembly; Steering wheel/handle bar | 6 | — |
| Seat beltsFront › Retractor; Front › Anchorage | 3 | — |
| Exterior lightingHeadlights; Turn signal › Switch | 3 | — |
| Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly | 2 | — |
| SuspensionFront › Control arm › Lower arm; Front › Macpherson strut | 2 | — |
| EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner | 2 | — |
| SeatsFront assembly › Recliner | 1 | — |
| WheelsLugs/nuts/bolts/studs | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- 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.*AK
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
HEADLIGHT COVERS MADE OF PLASTIC BECAME YELLOW, AND MAKES NIGHT DRIVING DIFFICULT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
- 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
- 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.*AK
- Electrical system › Ignition › SwitchFire
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. *AK
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › GasolineFire
COPIES OF FORM O.M.B. NO. 2127-0008 SENT VIA US MAIL, AND E-MAIL TO: HTTP://WWW.NHTSA.DOT.GOV
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › GasolineFire
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. *AK
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
RIGHT HEADLIGHT LENSE COVER CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING. NM
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
- REAR BRK ADJUSTER FAILUREClosed
1984 - 1991 FORD TEMPO/MERCURY TOPAZ
- REAR BRAKE SYSTEM FAILUREClosed
There is no summary currently available
- FAILED PASSIVE RESTRAINTClosed
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