RoadVitals

1987 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.
16
Latest Jan 15, 2004
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.
4
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 16 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1987 Mercury Topaz, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and body & structure categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 4 NHTSA investigations name it; and 27 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

  • Electrical729.2%
  • Engine416.7%
  • Body & structure312.5%
  • Fuel system28.3%
  • Suspension28.3%
  • Steering14.2%
  • Tires & wheels14.2%
  • Brakes14.2%

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
EA90008ClosedEngineering Analysis

FAILED PASSIVE RESTRAINT

Opened Dec 27, 1989
Closed Dec 31, 1991

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

SEAT BELTS
PE89118ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SPEED CONTROL MALFUNCTION

Opened Apr 19, 1989
Closed Sep 6, 1989

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EQUIPMENT

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 16
Body & structureBrakesEngine+4 more
Filed Jan 15, 2004

HAD VARY PROBLEMS WITH CAR YOU NAME IT IT HAS BROKE ON IT , I BROUGHT IT USED AND NEVER KNEW UNTIL I STARTED TO FIX CAR THAT THE TOPAZ HAS SO MANY PROBLEMS, BUT GOT TO HAVE SOME THING TO DRIVE, THIS CAR GOT MORE PROBLEMS AND SOME

NHTSA ID
10069312
Incident
Apr 15, 2001
Mileage
110,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Mar 9, 2001

INTERMITTENTLY ENGINE WILL STALL OUT AND DIE WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER HAS REPLACED FUEL PUMP/ STEPPER MOTOR, AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK

NHTSA ID
882545
Engine
Filed Oct 2, 2000

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. THEN ENGINE DIED OUT. WATER PUMP FAILED OR STOPPED WORKING. ENGINE DID NOT OVERHEAT & FAILED TO RESTART.*AK

NHTSA ID
872026
Incident
Aug 7, 2000
Body & structure
Filed Apr 12, 2000

GRILL FELL OFF WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON TWO OCCASIONS. YH

NHTSA ID
550192
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 27, 1999

HEADLIGHTS WITH PLASTIC COVER; THE ULTRA VOILET HAS HAZED THE COVER AS IF THERE WERE CATERACTS ON THE COVER. DEALER CONTACTED AND CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER AWARE, BUT NO WARRANTY. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
834101
Incident
Jan 27, 1998
Electrical
Filed Sep 1, 1998
Fire reported

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND FIRE STARTED. POLICE SAW FLAMES AND PUT THEM OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER, FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO PUT FIRE OUT. FIRE MARSHALL STATED FIRE STARTED WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. BURNED THE RUBBER BUMPER/ BACK TO THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRES, AND UNDER THE HOOD. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
827490
Incident
Aug 30, 1998
Suspension
Filed Apr 15, 1997

WHEN RUBBER BUSHING GETS WORN FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM SEPARATES FROM STABLIZER BAR, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERATIVE; MAKES WHEEL FOLD. *AK

NHTSA ID
809990
Incident
Jul 5, 1996
Electrical
Filed Nov 14, 1996
Fire reported

ALTERNATOR FIRE.

NHTSA ID
511312
Incident
Nov 1, 1996

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
1987Viewing161460.4
1986917—
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.