Model year record

1993 Mercury Topaz recalls & problems

The 1993 Mercury Topaz has 2 safety recalls and 71 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is seat belts (17 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints71filed by owners

Crashes · fires8 · 4reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths3 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Engine and engine coolingFeb 25, 1997

Cooling system › Fan

Recall 97V01900075,200 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.

Electrical systemApr 25, 1996

Ignition

Recall 96V0710007,900,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

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.

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.

Crash test ratings

1993 Mercury Topaz 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

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 / 25 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	19 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Topaz

19mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-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	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Seat beltsFront › Retractor; Front › Anchorage	17	1	0	2	116,252 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	16	0	2	0	—
Electrical systemIgnition; Wiring	14	1	2	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc	13	4	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineFuel injection system › Injectors; Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap	6	0	0	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	6	0	0	0	—
SuspensionFront; Front › Control arm	6	0	0	0	116,252 mi
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Rearview mirrors/devices	5	0	0	0	116,252 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	3	0	0	0	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner	3	0	0	0	—
WheelsLugs/nuts/bolts/studs	3	1	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	2	2	0	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Seat belts
DRIVERS SIDE AUTOMACTIC SHOULDER RETRACTING STUCK AT TOP OF TRACK
Jul 7, 2010 · 33,000 miles
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). *TR
Mar 2, 2010 · 34,000 miles
Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studsCrash
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 *NM
Nov 28, 2003
Tires
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.
Jan 15, 2003 · 119,252 miles
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…
Mar 23, 2002
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. *AK
Dec 29, 2003
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
Oct 12, 2002 · 116,252 miles
Suspension
RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT WENT OUT WITH WARNING AND REAR STARTING TO. *NLM
Mar 31, 2003 · 97,365 miles

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

ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRESClosedLed to recall 97V019000
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.
PE96033 · opened May 2, 1996 · closed Sep 30, 1996