1992 Mercury TOPAZ problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
34 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
33,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1992 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 34 complaints (14.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 11.8% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 11.8% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 8.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 5.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 |
| Seat Belts | 5 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Webbing | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 5; Seat Belts: 5; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Electrical System:Ignition: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Webbing: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 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 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 30 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 | 11 |
| 1996 | 8 |
| 2000 | 6 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
1995: 11; 1996: 8; 2000: 6; 2001: 4; 2003: 2; 2004: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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 10037961 · 2003-08-29 (August 29, 2003)
THIS VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL# 96V071000 CONCERNING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION SWITCH. IGNITION SWITCH MUST BE MANEUVERED FOR SOME ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PARTS TO FUNCTION. FOR INSTANCE, AIR CONDITIONER WILL COME ON BY MANEUVERING THE IGNITION SWITCH. ALSO, ELECTRIC SEAT BELTS/POWER WINDOWS/ TURN SIGNALS, AND BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T OPERATE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10037961 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 509055 · 1996-09-24 (September 24, 1996)
MASTER CYLINDER FAILED, ALSO REPLACED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS/PADS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 509055 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10044838 · 2003-10-27 (October 27, 2003)
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL.*MR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED FLAMES BURST OUT FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED (96V-071000) BUT THE CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED THE NOTICE. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. *TS *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 46,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10044838 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 485947 · 1995-07-13 (July 13, 1995)
TILT STEERING PIVOT POINTS BROKE, CAUSING WHEEL TO TILT SIDEWAYS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 485947 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 740188 · 2001-01-30 (January 30, 2001)
STALLING AT HIGH TEMPERATURES, WON'T START AGAIN FOR 15-30 MINITUES. POSSIBLY A BAD IGNITION MODULE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 740188 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 882254 · 2001-03-06 (March 6, 2001)
VEHICLE STALLS AT SLOW SPEEDS, 35 MPH AND WHEN COMING TO A STOP. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 882254 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 969664 · 1995-08-01 (August 1, 1995)
NOTICE GAS POURING OUT OF THE GAS TANK LID. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 969664 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 982769 · 1996-04-16 (April 16, 1996)
REPLACEMENT OF FUEL PUMP 3 TIMES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 982769 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 967660 · 1995-06-26 (June 26, 1995)
W/AUTO-TRANS; VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF LOW GEAR. VEHICLE IN DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES W/CAUSE NOT CORRECTED. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 967660 at NHTSA ↗