1989 Mercury TOPAZ: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
29 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
94,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 29 complaints (13.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 4 | 13.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 6.9% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 6.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 6.9% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 6.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.4% |
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 | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 |
| Seat Belts | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 2 |
Electrical System:Ignition: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 4; Seat Belts: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 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 | 0 |
| 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: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 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 | 9 |
| 1996 | 9 |
| 2000 | 7 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
1995: 9; 1996: 9; 2000: 7; 2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2004: 1; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10069005 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
CAR KEEPS STALLING WHEN IN AN IDLE POSITION (LIKE AT A STOP LIGHT).TAKES ABOUT 10 TRIES TO GET IT TO START,AND KEEP RUNNING.WILL IDLE HIGH THEN IDLE LOW THEN IDLE HIGH AGAIN THEN DIE...
Owner-reported narrative. 94,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10069005 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10221339 · 2008-03-16 (March 16, 2008)
I SAW ON SCHUCKS.COM THAT MY CAR WAS PART OF A RECALL FOR AN INTERNAL IGNITION SHORT CIRCUIT AND MY CAR HAS HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS SUCH AS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE AND MY CAR IS FINE IT ONLY HAS 65,000+ MILES ON IT AND IT TURNS OFF 2-3 SECS AFTER TURNING IT ON THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP IT ON IS IF I GIVE IT GAS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10221339 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 482433 · 1995-03-20 (March 20, 1995)
TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482433 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503478 · 1996-04-13 (April 13, 1996)
REAR BRAKES INTERMITTENTLY LOCK UP IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, CAUSING CAR TO SPIN. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503478 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 505286 · 1996-06-13 (June 13, 1996)
VEHICLE FIRE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 505286 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 506845 · 1996-07-30 (July 30, 1996)
CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 506845 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 507569 · 1996-08-15 (August 15, 1996)
LEFT/RIGHT INNER SOCKETS FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 507569 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 507741 · 1996-08-20 (August 20, 1996)
CRUISE CONTROL FAILED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 507741 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
96V071000 · Electrical System:Ignition
Reported: 1996-04-25 (April 25, 1996)
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
NHTSA campaign record ↗