1993 Mercury Topaz: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 71 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is seat belts (21% of complaints); the 1991 model year looks more trouble-free.
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 71 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“There is a speed control issue. Intermittently, the car will become locked at 2 rpm while still accelerating to 65+ mph. The driving is non-specific; I could be idling, on the freeway or on surface streets. Although I remove my foot from the accelerator, the car continues to speed up. Immediately turning off the engine does not eliminate the issue either. Once the car is turned on again, it locks at 4 rpm while in park. The issue may take up to 30mins to subside. Luckily, the brakes have yet to fail when the car voluntarily accelerates (although this does wear on the brakes like crazy). *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 2010
“The vehicle's left front wheel came off while driving and struck another vehicle. The vehicle then veered off the road tot he right and hit a guardrail. (ohio traffic crash report) *ph *nm”Owner report · Wheels · Nov 2003
“Bought car at mooneys desert hot springs auto sales in october 10,2002 as used car. Seat belts do not work. Suspension shakes, brakes make noise. Fuel pump went out fist trip. Drivers window does not retrack right. Engine over heat when idling. Water pump went out. Air conditioner and heater do not work.”Owner report · Tires · Jan 2003
Show 7 more owner reports
“I purchased a car in october of 2002, the seat belts did not work,the a/c and heater do not work. Fuel pump went out after ap. 300 miles, water pump shortly there after. All 4 tires treaded apart. Electronic side mirrors do not work. Gas gage does not work properly. Heats up when idling. Excessive wobble in rear end. Front end may be from 1992 not 1993 model of car. Drivers window does not retrack right. Trunk lid hook does not work. Brakes make noise. *nlm”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 2002
“Automatic seat belt when not in use the seat belt motor keeps running which has drained the battery, and could also cause seat belt to be inoperative, now the passenger power door lock has failed. Contacted dealer.*ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jan 2002
“While driving, the engine light remains on continuously, consumer noticed smoke coming from under the hood, vehicle was taken to the dealer, and they changed all spark plugs and oil, the next day consumer parked the vehicle and less than 5 minutes vehicle caught on fire.*ak. After the vehicle caught on fire, the dealer informed consumer that the engine was bad, however consumer stated that no one informed her prior that there was a problem with the engine.*slc”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2001
“Driver involved in an accident, possible undercarriage, left front quarter panel, plastic fender well, and left front turn signal were damaged. The ohio traffic police observed one of the four lugs was missing, the other three appeared unbroken (ohio traffic crash report). *yd”Owner report · Wheels · Dec 2001
“Vehicle stalls out, and was told this is a tfi margin ( a device that regulates flow of electric current to sparks plugs). When vehicle stalls, consumer cuts it off, and then turns it back on. It immediately starts right back up. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2001
“Vehicle will stall and then shut off while traveling at 65 mph. *ak dealer has replaced ignition module, fuel filter, spark plugs, and distributor cap, however vehicle continues to stall, possibly engine related. *slc”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2000
“When driving would hear a metallic noise. Had trouble shifting from 1st & 2nd gear. Transmission dip stick would have metal shaving on it. Took vehicle to dealership & mechanic indicated that planatary gear had failed. *ak”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2000
When filing, owners marked a crash in 8 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 1993 Mercury Topaz reliable?
NHTSA has 71 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1993 Mercury Topaz. The most complained-about area is seat belts (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1993 Mercury Topaz problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 97,365 miles or less.
Does the 1993 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.