Mercury Topaz recalls

9 official safety recalls for the Mercury Topaz from NHTSA (United States), DVSA (United Kingdom) and the EU Safety Gate, newest first. Recall repairs are normally free at the maker’s dealers.

Whether your car is affected and still needs the repair depends on its VIN or registration. Check it on the official site for your country:

  1. Cooling fan may overheat in blowing snow

    Reported February 25, 1997Model years 1992–1994NHTSA campaign 97V01900075,200 vehicles affected

    In high winds, heavy blowing snow and low temperatures, snow may block or freeze the cooling fan, causing its motor to overheat and potentially start a fire. Dealers will fit a jumper harness with an automatic-reset circuit breaker.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
    Defect
    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.
    Consequence
    THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SMOKE OR FLAMES FROM THE FAN AND/OR SHROUD, THE FAN ELECTRICAL WIRING, OR THE FAN MOTOR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.
    Notes
    OWNER NOTIFICATION:OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN APRIL 15, 1997.NOTES:OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

  2. Ignition switch may overheat and catch fire

    Reported April 25, 1996Model years 1988–1993NHTSA campaign 96V0710007,900,000 vehicles affected

    An internal short in the ignition switch can cause overheating, smoke and possibly fire in the steering column area. Dealers will replace the ignition switch.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
    Defect
    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.
    Notes
    SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL; IGNITION SWITCH. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

  3. Throttle sensor screws may loosen

    Reported March 1, 1988Model years 1988NHTSA campaign 88V02400091,000 vehicles affected

    The throttle position sensor screws could loosen and come out, allowing the sensors to disengage and preventing the throttle from returning from mid position. Dealers will replace the screws with adhesive-coated screws and tighten them to a higher torque.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
    Defect
    TWO ATTACHMENT SCREWS FOR THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSORS COULD LOOSEN AND BACK OUT.
    Consequence
    IF BOTH SCREWS COME OUT, SENSORS COULD DISENGAGE FROMTHE THROTTLE SHAFT, PREVENTING RETURN OF THE THROTTLE FROM MID POSITION.
    Remedy
    REPLACE ATTACHMENT SCREWS WITH SCREWS WITH PRE APPLIED ADHESIVE THAT WILL BE TIGHTENED TO A HIGHER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.
    Notes
    SYSTEM: THROTTLEVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS WITH 2.3 LITER ENGINES.

  4. Driver's seat back bolt may break

    Reported June 24, 1986Model years 1984NHTSA campaign 86V082000195,732 vehicles affected

    The bolt attaching the driver's seat back to the seat cushion frame may fatigue and break, causing the seat back to fall and possibly leading to loss of vehicle control. The attachment screws will be replaced.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    SEATS
    Defect
    THE FORWARD BOLT THAT PROVIDES PART OF THE ATTACHMENT BETWEEN THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK ASSEMBLY AND THE SEAT CUSHION FRAME MAY BE SUBJECT TO FATIGUE FRACTURE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THIS BOLT BREAKS, THE DRIVER AND SEAT BACK WILL FALL BACK, WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE DRIVER LOSING CONTROL OF THE CAR AND POSSIBLY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT.
    Remedy
    REPLACE SCREWS THAT ATTACH DRIVER'S SEAT BACK ASSEMBLY TO THE SEAT CUSHION FRAME.
    Notes
    SYSTEM: DRIVER'S SEAT BACK. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.

  5. Rear suspension bolts may fracture

    Reported November 5, 1985Model years 1984–1985NHTSA campaign 85V145000227,027 vehicles affected

    Rear suspension control arm bolts may fracture, allowing the rear spindle to separate and causing loss of control. The rear suspension bolts will be replaced as necessary.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    SUSPENSION:REAR
    Defect
    REAR SUPENSION CONTROL ARM-TO-SPINDLE ATTACHMENT BOLTS MAY BE SUBJECT TO FRACTURE CAUSING THE REAR SPINDLE TO SEPARATE DURING USE OF CAR. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF BOLTS FRACTURE AND REAR SPINDLE DISENGAGES FROM CONTROL ARM, LOSS OF CONTROL WILL BE EXPERIENCE WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
    Remedy
    REPLACE REAR SUSPENSION BOLTS AS NECESSARY.
    Notes
    SYSTEM: REAR SUSPENSION BOLTS. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS. THIS IS AN ADDENDUM THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 85V086000.

  6. Engine control fault may keep throttle open

    Reported October 22, 1985Model years 1985NHTSA campaign 85V1340003,988 vehicles affected

    An intermittent timing problem in the engine control processor may cause the throttle to stay or become partly open, increasing engine speed and possibly causing loss of control or a crash. The processor will be replaced if necessary.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
    Defect
    THE UNEXPECTED OPEN THROTTLE CAUSES AN INCREASE IN ENGINE SPEED WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR AND A POTENTIAL CRASH. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL PROCESSOR MAY EXPERIENCE AN INTERMITTENT TIMING PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES IMPROPER EXECUTION ENGINE PERFORMANCE WHICH MAY MAINTAIN OR CAUSE A PARTIALLY OPEN THROTTLE.
    Remedy
    REPLACE ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL PROCESSOR, IF NECESSARY.
    Notes
    SYSTEM: ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL PROCESSOR.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS WITH 2.3 LITER ENGINES WITH 49-STATES CALIBRATIONS AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.

  7. Rear suspension bolts may fracture

    Reported July 3, 1985Model years 1984–1985NHTSA campaign 85V086000226,729 vehicles affected

    Rear suspension control arm bolts may fracture, allowing the rear spindle to disengage and possibly causing loss of control. Rear suspension bolts will be replaced as necessary.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    SUSPENSION:REAR
    Defect
    REAR SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM-TO-SPINDLE ATTACHMENT BOLTS MAY BE SUBJECT TO FRACTURE DURING USE OF CAR. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF BOLTS FRACTURE, REAR SPINDLE COULD DISENGAGE FROM CONTROL ARM AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL.
    Remedy
    REPLACE REAR SUSPENSION BOLTS AS NECESSARY.
    Notes
    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS. SYSTEM: REAR SUSPENSION BOLTS.

  8. Shoulder belt anchor bolts may be inadequately supported

    Reported December 20, 1983Model years 1984NHTSA campaign 83V134000530,000 vehicles affected

    The material supporting the shoulder belt ring bolts may not be strong enough, and the attachment does not meet the stated safety standard. Dealers will install new attaching hardware to strengthen the mounting.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
    Defect
    THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE D-SHAPED RING FOR THE SHOULDER BELT ARE INADEQUATELY SUPPORTED BY THE MATERIAL IN WHICH THEY ARE MOUNTED. THE ATTACHMENT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES".
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW ATTACHING HARDWARE TO IMPROVE THE STRENGTH OF THE MOUNTING.
    Notes
    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND LIGHT TRUCKS.SYSTEM: INTERIOR SYSTEMS; SEAT BELTS AND UPPER TORSO RESTRAINT ATTACHMENTS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IN SEVERE COLLISIONS, THE SHOULDER BELT ATTACHMENTCOULD SEPARATE, INCREASING THE POSSIBILITY OF OCCUPANT INJURY.NOTE: MANUFACTURER ADVISES THAT SEAT BELTS SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE USED AT ALLTIMES, AS SUBSTANTIAL BENEFITS MAY STILL BE OBTAINED.

  9. Lighting switches may overheat

    Reported May 16, 1983Model years 1984NHTSA campaign 83V055000626 vehicles affected

    A short circuit in the instrument panel could cause the headlamp and interior lighting switches to overheat. Dealers will replace the headlamp switch and inspect the fuse and fuse panel for safe operation.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    INTERIOR LIGHTING
    Defect
    IN THE EVENT OF A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, THE HEADLAMP AND INTERIOR ILLUMINATION CONTROL SWITCHES COULD OVERHEAT.
    Remedy
    THE HEADLAMP SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED AND FUSE AND FUSE PANEL WILL BE INSPECTED FOR SAFE OPERATION.
    Notes
    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: LIGHTS; HEADLAMPS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERIOR CONTROL SWITCHES.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: OVERHEATING COULD CAUSE MELTING OF THE SWITCH, POSSIBLYLEADING TO A FIRE AND PERSONAL INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Sources: NHTSA (US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), DVSA (UK Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) and the EU Safety Gate (European Commission) recall data. Each recall covers vehicles sold in that market; models sold elsewhere may differ.

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