1987 Mercury Topaz Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1987 Mercury Topaz, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical729.2%
- Engine416.7%
- Body & structure312.5%
- Fuel system28.3%
- Suspension28.3%
- Steering14.2%
- Tires & wheels14.2%
- Brakes14.2%
- Exterior lighting14.2%
- Powertrain (other)14.2%
- Seat belts14.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
ALTERNATOR FIRE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
INTERMITTENTLY ENGINE WILL STALL OUT AND DIE WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER HAS REPLACED FUEL PUMP/ STEPPER MOTOR, AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
GRILL FELL OFF WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON TWO OCCASIONS. YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
INTERMITTENTLY ENGINE WILL STALL OUT AND DIE WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER HAS REPLACED FUEL PUMP/ STEPPER MOTOR, AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
WHEN RUBBER BUSHING GETS WORN FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM SEPARATES FROM STABLIZER BAR, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERATIVE; MAKES WHEEL FOLD. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
MICHELIN TIRES WEAR PREMATURELY DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN. *SKD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEAT BELTS HAVE FAILED, DIFFICULTY UNLATCHING SEAT BELTS. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .