RoadVitals

1984 Mercury Topaz

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
10
Latest Apr 30, 2001
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
6
Latest Aug 27, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
6
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
5

Overview

Our database contains 10 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1984 Mercury Topaz, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and exterior lighting categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 6 NHTSA investigations name it; and 14 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical758.3%
  • Engine325.0%
  • Exterior lighting18.3%
  • Visibility18.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
07E064000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Aug 27, 2007
34,000 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.
The risk: A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.
The remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.
FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
86V082000

SEATS

Jun 24, 1986
195,732 units potentially affected
The defect: THE FORWARD BOLT THAT PROVIDES PART OF THE ATTACHMENT BETWEEN THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK ASSEMBLY AND THE SEAT CUSHION FRAME MAY BE SUBJECT TO FATIGUE FRACTURE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THIS BOLT BREAKS, THE DRIVER AND SEAT BACK WILL FALL BACK, WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE DRIVER LOSING CONTROL OF THE CAR AND POSSIBLY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: REPLACE SCREWS THAT ATTACH DRIVER'S SEAT BACK ASSEMBLY TO THE SEAT CUSHION FRAME.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
85V145000

SUSPENSION:REAR

Nov 5, 1985
227,027 units potentially affected
The defect: REAR SUPENSION CONTROL ARM-TO-SPINDLE ATTACHMENT BOLTS MAY BE SUBJECT TO FRACTURE CAUSING THE REAR SPINDLE TO SEPARATE DURING USE OF CAR. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF BOLTS FRACTURE AND REAR SPINDLE DISENGAGES FROM CONTROL ARM, LOSS OF CONTROL WILL BE EXPERIENCE WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: REPLACE REAR SUSPENSION BOLTS AS NECESSARY.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE96005ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

REAR BRK ADJUSTER FAILURE

Opened Jan 19, 1996
Closed May 28, 1996

1984 - 1991 FORD TEMPO/MERCURY TOPAZ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DP96002ClosedDefect Petition

REAR BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE

Opened Jan 11, 1996
Closed Jan 19, 1996

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PE88034ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

HALFSHAFT FAILURE

Opened Mar 18, 1988
Closed Sep 19, 1988

SUMMARY:THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH EITHER A 2.3 LITER4 CYLINDER ENGINE OR A 2.0 LITER DIESEL ENGINE.THE TRANSAXLE MAY BEEITHER A 5 SPEED MANUAL OR A 3 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.THEHALFSHAFT ASSEMBLIES ARE IDENTICAL FOR AUTOMATIC AND MANUAL USE, BUT THERIGHT INTERCONNECTING SHAFT ON A DIESEL EQUIPPED VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE ATORSIONAL DAMPER.THE 1987 MODEL VEHICLES (GAS OR DIESEL) DO NOT USE THETORSIONAL DAMPER.THE RIGHT SIDE INTERCONNECTING SHAFT IS LONGER THANTHE LEFT SIDE SHAFT (25 INCHES VERSUS 12 INCHES).MOST OF THE REPORTED FAILURES INVOLVE THE RIGHT HALFSHAFT ASSEMBLY.FAILURE OF THE HALFSHAFT APPEARS TO RESULT IN A LOSS OF DRIVE WITHOUT ANYLOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. #===

POWER TRAIN
PE87028ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

STALLING

Opened May 1, 1987
Closed Jan 21, 1988

NO SAFETY DEFECT TREND HAS BEEN DETECTED.===

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 10
Engine
Filed Apr 30, 2001

WHEN VEHICLE GETS HOT IT WILL STALL, SOMETIMES VEHICLE WILL NOT START.*AK

NHTSA ID
887057
Engine
Filed Oct 25, 2000

TFI MODULE STOPPED FUNCTIONING, CAUSING CAR TO STALL. BUT NOW IT WON'T START. CONSUMER HAS REPLACED 3 OF THESE MODULES WITHIN THE LAST THREE YEARS. CONSUMER WAS VERY UPSET BECAUSE THERE COULD BE AN ACCIDENT.*AK

NHTSA ID
873785
Incident
Oct 20, 2000
ElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 29, 1999

WHEN DRIVING AT 18 MPH THE VEHICLE IS STALLING AND CUTTING OFF. CONSUMER HAD THE COMPUTER CHIP REPLACED, AND THE DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUS EOF STALLING. *AK

NHTSA ID
852164
Incident
Jul 1, 1999
Electrical
Filed May 31, 1999

NO SUMMARY LISTE DFOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
707045
Incident
Jul 12, 1998
Exterior lightingVisibility
Filed Mar 23, 1998

TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR HEATER HOSE REPAIR. WHILE THERE, WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT HEADLIGHT WOULD FLUTTER/FLICKER OFF AND ON. COULD NOT FIND CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
822053
Incident
Jan 20, 1998
Electrical
Filed Nov 12, 1996
Fire reported

ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN THE OFF POSITION THE STARTER WILL START RUNNING UNTIL THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK

NHTSA ID
804780
Incident
Sep 12, 1996
Electrical
Filed Jun 17, 1996
Fire reported

IGNITION SWITCH FIRE. *SD

NHTSA ID
505757
Incident
Apr 18, 1996
Electrical
Filed May 22, 1996
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING, FLAMES STARTED SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDERHOOD; DRIVER GOT OUT, STARTED RUNNING, TURNED AROUND, VEHICLE BLEW UP; VEHICLE HAD OIL LEAK. *AK

NHTSA ID
984749
Incident
Aug 15, 1995

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

01157

INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC

98246

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RELEASED A NEW ELECTRICAL GREASE ( F8AZ - 19G208-AA ) TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF MOISTURE CORROSION AT THE TERMINALS. *YC

9852

TIRES

INFORMATION ON TIRE COMPANY TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. *YC

9874

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

A NEW SILICONE GASKET AND SEALANT. *YC

985A13

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

THE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE. *YC

97111097234

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

VEHICLES EXHIBITING A "SQUEAKING" OR "CHIRPING" FROM THE BLOWER MOTOR AT LOW BLOWER MOTOR SPEEDS. *YC

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mercury Topaz by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1998100—
1995100—
1994631150.0
1993712156.4
1992622156.8
1991401356.3
1990482365.6
1989461354.1
1988212362.9
1987161460.4
1986917—
1985546—
1984Viewing106675.7
1983101—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.