RoadVitals

1986 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.
9
Latest Jun 5, 2000
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.
1
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.
7
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.
2

Overview

Our database contains 9 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1986 Mercury Topaz, most frequently naming the engine, electrical and brakes categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 7 NHTSA investigations name it; and 25 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

  • Engine325.0%
  • Electrical216.7%
  • Brakes216.7%
  • Steering216.7%
  • Heating & air conditioning18.3%
  • Fuel system18.3%
  • Exterior lighting18.3%

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

1 campaign cover this model year

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

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
EA89037ClosedEngineering Analysis

SPEED CNTRL MALFUNCTION

Opened Sep 6, 1989
Closed Nov 30, 1990

===

EQUIPMENT
PE89118ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SPEED CONTROL MALFUNCTION

Opened Apr 19, 1989
Closed Sep 6, 1989

===

EQUIPMENT

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 9
Brakes
Filed Jun 5, 2000

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. *AK

NHTSA ID
723572
Incident
Nov 1, 1999
Electrical
Filed May 5, 2000

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE BECAME VERY HOT AND STALLED OUT DUT TO THE TFI IGNITION MODULE BEING TOO CLOSE AND MOUNTED ON THE SIDE OF THE DISTRIBUTOR. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
861487
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 3, 1998

HEAD LAMP SWITCH FAILS.

NHTSA ID
531833
Brakes
Filed Jul 16, 1996

REAR BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE DUE TO AUTOMATIC ADJUSTER FAILING TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS. *DH

NHTSA ID
506539
Incident
Jun 1, 1996
Steering
Filed Jun 10, 1996

PILLAR OF BLUE SMOKE THROUGH CENTER OF INSTRUMENT PANEL VENT AND IGNITION SWITCH LOCKUP, THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL OCCURRENCES. *AK

NHTSA ID
985452
Incident
Nov 10, 1994
Engine
Filed May 8, 1996
Fire reported

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. *SD

NHTSA ID
504505
Incident
May 8, 1996
Electrical
Filed May 1, 1996
Fire reported

ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ID
983878
Incident
Mar 12, 1996
Heating & air conditioningEngineFuel system+1 more
Filed Aug 10, 1995

THE HEAD GASKET LEAK AND REPLACE FAN MOTOR , CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE TWO TIMES,THE RACK/PINION WENT OUT WHEN DRIVING THERE IS MORE . TT

NHTSA ID
970160

Manufacturer communications

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

01156

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC

01157

INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC

0015

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS

99222

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT

99196

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT

99152

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT

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
1986Viewing917—
1985546—
1984106675.7
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.