Model year record

1994 Mercury Topaz recalls & problems

The 1994 Mercury Topaz has 1 safety recall and 63 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (18 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints63filed by owners

Crashes · fires7 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths6 · 1reported 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.

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

1994 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	18 / 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*
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine	18	0	0	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Anchorage; Front › Retractor	14	0	0	1	—
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	10	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc; Foundation components	8	1	1	0	—
Electrical systemIgnition; Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers	8	0	0	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)	7	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery; Fuel injection system	5	0	0	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner	5	3	0	4	—
SteeringHydraulic power assist system; Column	4	0	0	0	—
VisibilityPower window devices and controls	4	0	0	0	—
SuspensionFront; Rear	4	0	0	0	—
StructureFrame and members	3	0	0	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation componentsFire
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.*AK
Jun 18, 2004 · 83,800 miles
Suspension › Front › Control arm
LEFT REAR CONTROL ARM ROTTED IN THE CENTER CAUSING A BREAK. THE CAR SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND BENT THE RIGHT REAR CONTROL ARM AS WELL. UNKNOWN WHAT OTHER DAMAGE WAS CAUSED YET. LEFT REAR CONTROL ARM OBVIOUSLY HAD NO ANTI-CORROSION COATING. RIGHT CONTROL ARMS CORROSION-FREE. LEFT FRONT CONTROL ARM ALSO CORRODED BUT NOT AS BAD.*AK
Feb 1, 2004 · 80,000 miles
Power train › Automatic transmission
THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP, WHICH CAUSED THE TIRES TO LOCK UP. *JB THE GAS PEDAL WAS HARD. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE. THE MAIN CONTROL THROTTLE VALVE WAS REPLACED. SCC
Mar 22, 2003 · 47,928 miles
Suspension › Rear
THE "LEFT REAR TRAILING ARM" IS RUSTED THROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE MUFFLER IS POSITIONED AGAINST COMPONENT WHICH MAY BE CAUSING CORROSION. THE CONSUMER IS VERY CONCERNED THAT THE WHEEL WILL DISLODGE AND THE VEHICLE MAY TAIL SPIN IF ARM BREAKS. *NLM *SCC
Sep 1, 2002
Seats
THE PASSENGER SEAT DID NOT SLIDE BACK DURING A SALES PRESENTATION. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE SEAT WOULD BE REPAIRED BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP. A DEPOSIT WAS PUT DOWN FOR THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS ALSO THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONSUMER FELT IT WAS AN ILLEGAL ACTION. (ONLY A RECEIPT WAS SIGNED, NO CONTRACT) THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REFUND. *SCC *JB
May 28, 2002
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control
MAF SENSOR FAILED. *YD
Apr 26, 2000
Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
Sep 1, 2000
Electrical system › Ignition › Module
2.3L ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY WOULD STALLS OUT WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY GIVEN SPEED. VEHICLE HAD BEEN WORKED ON BY DEALER ON ONE OCCASION, AND ON TWO OCCASIONS BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. BUT, PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.*AK
Jul 10, 2001

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