1991 Mercury TOPAZ problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
29 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
25,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 29 complaints (17.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 24.1% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 17.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 10.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 10.3% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 6.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition | 5 |
| Seat Belts | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum | 5 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder | 2 |
Electrical System:Ignition: 5; Seat Belts: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum: 5; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 28 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 10 |
| 1996 | 11 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
1995: 10; 1996: 11; 2000: 2; 2001: 3; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 488190 · 1995-09-19 (September 19, 1995)
BRAKES MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 488190 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 801609 · 1996-08-29 (August 29, 1996)
BRAKE PEDAL GRADUALLY KEPT GOING CLOSER TO FLOOR BOARD WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, REAR BRAKE ADJUSTERS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED, SHOULD AUTOMATICALLY ADJUST FOR WEAR, NO ACCIDENTS..*AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 801609 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 485987 · 1995-07-05 (July 5, 1995)
INTERMITTENT STALLING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 485987 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 501835 · 1996-02-27 (February 27, 1996)
FUEL PUMP REPLACED DUE TO STALLING. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501835 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503565 · 1996-04-17 (April 17, 1996)
IGNITION CABLE ASSEMBLY SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE IN STEERING COLUMN/MELTING WIRING IN DASH. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503565 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 802828 · 1996-09-24 (September 24, 1996)
ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 802828 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016628 · 2003-04-28 (April 28, 2003)
I TOOK MY CAR TO HAVE IT SERVICED ON FRIDAY AND THEY SAID I HAD A GAS LEAK WHICH I HADN'T NOTICED. I HAD EVEN SMOKED IN MY CAR ON THE WAY TO THE STATION. WHEN THEY WAS EMPTYING THE GAS TANK SOMETHING SPARKED AND CAUGHT THE CAR ON FIRE WHICH ENDED UP DESTROYING MY CAR AND 3 OTHERS PLUS THE STATION. MY CAR WAS A 1991 MERCURY TOPAZ. HAS THERE BEEN ANY SIMILAR SITUATIONS INVOLVING THE FUEL TANK OR SYSTEM ON THESE CARS? *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10016628 at NHTSA ↗