1990 Mercury TOPAZ: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
23 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 23 complaints (17.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 21.7% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 13.0% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 13.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 8.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.3% |
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:Switch | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 4 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 4; Electrical System:Ignition: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1; Electrical System:Starter Assembly: 1
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 | 0 |
| 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: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 23 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 | 5 |
| 1996 | 13 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 2 |
1995: 5; 1996: 13; 2000: 2; 2001: 1; 2002: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 481146 · 1995-02-09 (February 9, 1995)
CLUNKING NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481146 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481869 · 1995-02-15 (February 15, 1995)
BRAKES FAIL UPON INITIAL APPLICATION, DON'T RESPOND UNTIL APPLIED A SECOND TIME. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481869 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481996 · 1995-02-10 (February 10, 1995)
INTERMITTENT STALLING WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP/SLOW DOWN. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481996 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504125 · 1996-05-06 (May 6, 1996)
BRAKES FAILED DUE TO UNKNOWN COMPONENT BREAKING OFF. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504125 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504697 · 1996-05-17 (May 17, 1996)
REAR BRAKES REPLACED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504697 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 506294 · 1996-06-10 (June 10, 1996)
ELECTRICAL FIRE IN WIRING HARNESS TO ALTERNATOR. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 506294 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 506481 · 1996-07-11 (July 11, 1996)
BRAKES GRAB, CAUSING VEHICLE TO VIBRATE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 506481 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 508211 · 1996-09-04 (September 4, 1996)
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 508211 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 ↗