1992 Mercury Topaz: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 62 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (23% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 1997
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 62 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2008
“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 report · Electrical System · Apr 2003
“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”Owner report · Seat Belts · May 2001
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 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”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2000
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 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.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 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”Owner report · Seats · Apr 1999
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
How other years compare
Check your exact Topaz by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1992 Mercury Topaz reliable?
NHTSA has 62 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1992 Mercury Topaz. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (23% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1992 Mercury Topaz problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 46,000 miles or less.
Does the 1992 Mercury Topaz have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.