1992 MERCURY TOPAZ

2 recalls — 50 complaints

97V019000 Feb 25, 1997
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
THESE VEHICLES ARE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. THE VEHICLES INVOLVED ARE 1992-1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES WITH 3.0L ENGINES; 1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ WITH 2.3L ENGINES; 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.8L ENGINES; 1994-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.0L ENGINES AND 1992-1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL VEHICLES WITH 3.8L ENGINES. DURING HIGH WINDS, HEAVY, BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, AND LOW TEMPERATURES, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAN BECOME BLOCKED OR FROZEN WITH SNOW. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT ROTATE AND COULD OVERHEAT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.
75,200 vehicles affected
96V071000 Apr 25, 1996
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
7,900,000 vehicles affected
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Sep 17, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MERCURY TOPAZ. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25-30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. IT ONLY ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY WITH A MECHANIC. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Jul 7, 2007
THE IGNITION SWITCH FELL APART 3 TIMES ON THE TOPAZ SINCE 1995, THE SWITCHES I BOUGHT AT FORD DEALERSHIP WAS THE EXACT SAME ONE THAT FELL APART. FIRST THE ACCESSORIES STOP WORKED ONE AT A TIME, A/C, TURN SIGNALS, RADIO, AIR CONDITIONING. THEN I PULL IT OUT AND REPLACED THE SWITCH, I CARRY AN EXTRA ONE IN T CAR AND HAVE THE REPLACEMENT DOWN TO 45 MINUTES. I REPLACED THE SWITCH NOW WHEN THE SECOND SIGN OF FAILURE OCCURRED. I HAVE A SMALL POUCH WITH ALL THE TOOLS. I NEED TO CHANGE THE PART AND HAVE THE BOLTS AND SCREWS MARKED THAT I HAVE TO TAKE OUT. I EVEN WRITE THE DATE AND MILEAGE I CHANGE IT IN MY SERVICE MANUAL SO I ALMOST CAN TELL WHEN THE NEST FAILURE WILL OCCUR. I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE REPLACEMENT SWITCHES WHEN I CAN BUY THEM AT A DEALERSHIP FOR ANY WHERE FROM $9 FOR FIRST TO $16 THIS LAST TIME. THE LAST THING I BOUGHT THAT CHEAP WAS A PAIR OF WINDSHIELD WIPERS AT A DEALERSHIP.*AK
SEAT BELTS Apr 22, 2004
TO WHOM THIS MAY CONCERN; I BROUGHT MY DAUGHTER'S CAR IN FOR SEATBELT REPAIR. THERE WAS FAILURE OF THE SHOULDER STRAP TO OPEN WHEN GETTING INTO THE CAR. MY COMPLAINT IS WITH THE DEALERSHIP HAMMONTON AUTO GROUP WHITE HORSE PIKE HAMMONTON NJ. ON 6/25 THE CAR WAS BROUGHT IN- CHARGING $80 TO DIAGNOSE THAT THE SWITCH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEEDED REPLACING. THE PART COST $10 THE JOB WAS TO COST $260 - WHICH I FEEL WAS A CUSTOMER RIPOFF. WE DECIDED TO GET THE JOB DONE DESPITE THE OUTRAGEOUS COST. ON 6/26 WHEN WE ARRIVED TO PICK UP THE CAR-THIS SERVICE DEPT FIXED THE DRIVER SIDE WHICH WAS NEVER BROKEN IN THE FIRST PLACE. THEY DID NOT NOTICE THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DIDN'T WORK AFTER AN $80 DIAGNOSTICS FEE. I AM NEVER GOING TO THIS PARTICULAR DEALERSHIP AGAIN. I AM ALSO REPORTING THIS TO THE BBB AND TO WHOEVER ELSE I CAN COMPLAIN TO. THIS IS WHY SO MANY AMERICANS ARE NOT BUYING FROM FORD ANYMORE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION Nov 5, 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
Fire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH Aug 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
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS Aug 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
SEAT BELTS Aug 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
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER Aug 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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Aug 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
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH Aug 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
SEAT BELTS Jun 6, 2001
CONSUMER HAS HAD PAST PROBLEMS WITH FRONT AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS ON BOTH SIDES. AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RETRACT BACK. BELT HAS TO BE TUGGED ON TO RETRACT. MOTOR MAKES A GRINDING AND RATTLING NOISE.*AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE May 7, 2001
WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND COMING UP TO A STOP LIGHT/SIGN VEHICLE WOULD STALL OUT. HAD NO PRIOR WARNING. HAD NOT BEEN TO A DEALERSHIP TO INVESTIGATE PROBLEM.*AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Mar 6, 2001
VEHICLE STALLS AT SLOW SPEEDS, 35 MPH AND WHEN COMING TO A STOP. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION Feb 8, 2001
STALLING AT HIGH TEMPERATURES, WON'T START AGAIN FOR 15-30 MINITUES. POSSIBLY A BAD IGNITION MODULE. *AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING Dec 19, 2000
THE DRIVER'S SIDE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM(SHOULDER BELT) LOCKED UP AND BECAME NON-OPERATIONAL. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS STARTED THERE IS A HORRIBLE NOISE THAT IS EMITTED FROM THE SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLY UNIT. THE SAME IDENTICAL PROBLEM OCCURED WITH THE SHOULDER BELT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. *CJ
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Dec 19, 2000
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CABLE LINKAGE WAS REPAIRED. THERE ARE NUMEROUS SERVICE BULLETINS THAT REFER TO THIS PROBLEM *CJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN Dec 19, 2000
HORN QUIT WORKING. *CJ
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING Dec 5, 2000
THE DRIVER'S SIDE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM(SHOULDER BELT) LOCKED UP AND BECAME NON-OPERATIONAL. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS STARTED THERE IS A HORRIBLE NOSIE THAT IS EMITTED FROM THE SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLY UNIT. THE SAME IDENTICAL PROBLEM OCCURED WITH THE SHOULDER BELT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. *CJ
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Dec 5, 2000
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CABLE LINKAGE WAS REPAIRED. THERE ARE NUMEROUS SERVICE BULLETINS THAT REFER TO THIS PROBLEM *CJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN Dec 5, 2000
HORN QUIT WORKING. *CJ
SEATS Nov 3, 2000
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Crash 2 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Jul 17, 2000
THE LEAKING HEAD GASKET CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. YH
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM Jul 3, 2000
CONSUMER TOOK CAR OUT FOR A TEST DRIVE AND IT SEEMED FINE. HOWEVER, AFTER CONSUMER LEFT THE LOT, LEFT BALL JOINT BROKE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SWERVE ALL OVER THE ROAD. CONSUMER HAD TO DRIVE 10MPH TO GET VEHICLE HOME.*AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Mar 23, 2000
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 30-35MPH AND STARTED SMELLING SMOKE COMING THROUGH THE VENTS OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER PULLED INTO DRIVEWAY & GOT OUT. WITHIN MINUTES, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT MANUFACTURER & FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION. *AK
Fire
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS Mar 10, 2000
CROSSMEMBER BAR ON THE LEFT REAR AXEL BROKE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COLLAPSE. DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE Oct 29, 1999
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT IS EXTREMELY TIGHT THAT IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO PASSENGER. YH
SEAT BELTS Oct 29, 1999
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT IS EXTREMELY TIGHT THAT IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO PASSENGER. YH
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE Oct 29, 1999
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT IS EXTREMELY TIGHT THAT IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO PASSENGER. YH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP Sep 22, 1999
WHEN TRAVELING 30 MPH ON WET PAVEMENT, AND UPON DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL, PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR BOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS YET TO REPLACE PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Sep 9, 1999
WHENEVER VEHICLE IS IDLING, IT WOULD MAKE A RATTLING NOISE. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER & INFORMED BY MECHANIC IT WAS CRANKSHAFT. THIS CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS WITH THE BELTS IF IT OVERHEATS. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Aug 2, 1999
VEHICLE JUST STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR 6 YEARS. THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT ABLE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
SEAT BELTS Jul 19, 1999
THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT ON 92 MERCURY TOPAZ BROKE. IT WILL NOT COMPLETELY RETRACT WHEN YOU CLOSE THE DOOR AND DRIVE. IT SEEMS LIKE THE TRACK THE SYSTEM RUNS IN IS DEFECTIVE.
SEATS May 4, 1999
THE DRIVERS SIDE MOTORIZED SEAT BELT IS STUCK 3/4 OF THE WAY BACK, THE ONLY WAY TO USE IT IS TO SLIP IT OVER YOUR HEAD. AND ALSO THE DRIVERS FRONT SEAT, THE SEAT WELDS BROKE, AND YOU ARE SETTING IN A RECLINING POSITION, IT IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD UP WITH WOOD.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE May 4, 1999
THE DRIVERS SIDE MOTORIZED SEAT BELT IS STUCK 3/4 OF THE WAY BACK, THE ONLY WAY TO USE IT IS TO SLIP IT OVER YOUR HEAD. AND ALSO THE DRIVERS FRONT SEAT, THE SEAT WELDS BROKE, AND YOU ARE SETTING IN A RECLINING POSITION, IT IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD UP WITH WOOD.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER Apr 7, 1999
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SEATBACK BROKE, AND CAUSED DRIVER TO MOVE BACKWARDS UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Feb 23, 1999
CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET AT 40 MPH GOT STUCK AND WOULD NOT RELEASE EVEN BY HITTING THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON OR APPLYING BRAKES,WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK
Crash
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Feb 17, 1999
WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH HAD AN ACCIDENT, IN WHICH THE MIDDLE REAR SEATBELT MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE SEATBELT TO UNLATCH AND THE CSS TO BE THROWN FORWARD. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH Feb 5, 1999
ELECTRICAL FIRE UNDER DASH ENGULFED CAR PARKED ON DRIVEWAY AFTER SITTING. *AK
Fire
SEAT BELTS Dec 10, 1998
AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT IS INOPERATIVE, WILL NOT MOVE OR RETRACT WHEN DOOR IS OPENED OR CLOSED, CAUSING LOSS OF PROTECTION. *AK *ML
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING Nov 5, 1998
SHOULDER HARNESS RESTRAINT IS STUCK IN THIS VEHICLE, IT WILL NOT GO FOWARD OR BACKWARD. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY Oct 20, 1998
STARTER FAILED.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE Aug 12, 1998
INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE JERKS AND SHUTS DOWN. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED VARIOUS PARTS OF THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION May 27, 1998
MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION FAILURES.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Nov 14, 1997
ENGINE STALLS IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT WARNING, 3 TO 5 TIMES A WEEK, HAPPENS DURING WEATHER TEMPATURES OF 85 DEGREES, POTENTIAL FOR CRASH, DEALER HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT'S CAUSING PROBLEM. *AK
SEATS Nov 12, 1997
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT FRAME BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT TO TILT BACKWARDS.. *AK CONSUMER STATES ONLY ONE BOLT WAS USED TO BOLT THE SEAT FRAME DOWN AND FEELS THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. *SLC
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT Sep 26, 1997
THE WIRE THAT GOES TO THE HEATER BLOWER SWITCH, HEATS UP AND MELTS THE WIRE AND THE PLASTIC PART OF THE SWITCH, THE WIRE WAS REPLACED BY OWNER LAST YEAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN ON 9/25/97. THE SWITCH WAS OK, BUT THE WIRE HAD TO BE REPLACED. OWNER REPLACED THE WIRE.*JB
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Sep 18, 1997
ENGINE FIRE.
Fire
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM Sep 15, 1997
CONSUMER TURNED ON THE HEAT AND ANTI-FREEZE STARTED LEAKING OUT FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD ON THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS ON BUT NOT IN MOTION. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED 2ND DEGREE BURNS, APPROXIMATELY 8 INCHES LONG AND 2 1/2 INCHES WIDE. THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE WILL CONTACT SOMEONE FROM THE FORD MOTOR CO. *AK
1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR Jul 20, 1997
MOTOR SEAT BELT FAILS TO RETRACT WHEN DOOR IS OPENED.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN Jul 17, 1997
HORN FAILED DUE TO A BENT PART FROM FACTORY.