Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1989 Mercury Topaz, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system13
- Engine and engine cooling10
- Seat belts7
- Vehicle speed control6
- Fuel system, gasoline4
- Power train4
- Service brakes, hydraulic3
- Exterior lighting2
- Unknown or other2
- Equipment2
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 2 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 1989 Mercury Topaz.
| 1995212 29 Nov 1995 | Electrical A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD DEVELOP IN THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CONDIT… |
| 1995197 2 Nov 1995 | Engine EXTENDED HIGHWAY OPERATION DURING VERY LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURES (-20 DEGREES CENTIGRADE OR BELOW) MAY RESULT IN ICE FORMING IN THE POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATIO… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
96V071000 · Electrical system25 Apr 1996 · 7,900,000 vehicles
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Mercury told its dealers about the 1989 Mercury Topaz: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 623988 | INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC |
| 623944 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC |
| 612203 | INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS |
| 6090087 | INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT |
| 6089681 | SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT |
| 608431 | INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT |
| 606420 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY NOW RECOMMENDS SAE 5W-30 VISCOSITY GRADE FOR SERVICING ANY FORD GASOLINE-POWERED VEHICLE REGARDLESS OF MODEL YEAR. *TT |
| 604059 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RELEASED A NEW ELECTRICAL GREASE ( F8AZ - 19G208-AA ) TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF MOISTURE CORROSION AT THE TERMINALS. *YC |
| 601343 | A NEW SILICONE GASKET AND SEALANT. *YC |
| 601312 | INFORMATION ON A BUZZING OR RATTLE NOISE FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *TT |
| 601290 | INFORMATION ON TIRE COMPANY TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. *YC |
| 601269 | ANNOUNCING THE FORD OEM AIR CONDITIONING RETROFIT KIT AVAILABILITY. *YC |
| 601012 | THE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE. *YC |
| 601010 | RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES FOR TOWING BEHIND RECREATIONAL VEHICLES. *TT |
| 600586 | FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS MADE OF XENOY PLASTIC HAVE HAD THE CONDUCTIVE PRIMER REMOVED FROM SERVICE PARTS. *YC |
| 53660 | VEHICLES EXHIBITING A "SQUEAKING" OR "CHIRPING" FROM THE BLOWER MOTOR AT LOW BLOWER MOTOR SPEEDS. *YC |
| 51990 | BLOWER MOTOR- "CHIRPING" OR "SQUEAKING" FROM BLOWER MOTOR AT LOW SPEEDS. *JD |
| 51945 | FLUID- TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *JD |
| 51735 | REAR ENGINE MOUNT CONCERNS. *TW |
| 50997 | TRANSAXLE - TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES AND TORQUE CONVERTER/TRANSAXLE COOLING SYSTEM CLEANING PROCEDURES - SERVICE TIP. *TW |
| 50940 | WINDSHIELD AND INTERIOR GLASS - FOG/FILM. *TW |
| 50908 | TORQUE CONVERTER - LEAK TEST PROCEDURE - SERVICE TIP. *TW |
| 50905 | WIRING - ELECTRICAL DIODE IDENTIFICATION AND SERVICE REPLACEMENTS. *TW |
| 46478 | THE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE BECAUSE IT MAY BE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE RUBBER MATERIAL USED IN THE DISC BRAKE SYSTEM. IF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE IS USED TO LUBRICATE ANY PART OF THE DISC BRAKE SYSTEM, IT COULD CAUSE RUBBER PARTS TO SWELL IF LUBRICANT CONTACTS THE RUBBER MATERIAL. |
| 46460 | CERTAIN 1989 MODEL TEMPO & TOPAZ CARS EQUIPPED W/ 2.3L HSC ENGINES BUILT FROM 5/31/89 AT KANSAS CITY & 6/22/89 AT OAKVILLE THROUGH THE END OF THE 1989 MODEL YEAR AND ALL 1990 THROUGH 1994 TEMPO & TOPAZ CARS EQUIPPED WITH 2.3L HSC ENGINES THAT ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: AK, MT, ND, MN, WI, MI (UPPER PENINSULA), NY, ME, VT, NH. THE POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) SYSTEM MAY FREEZE CAUSING THE CRANKCASE TO PRESSURIZE WHICH COULD FORCE OIL OUT OF THE CRANKCASE THROUGH THE DIPSTICK TUBE OR PAST SOME OTHER GASKET OR SEAL OF THE ENGINE. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
PE96005 · Service brakes, hydraulicopened 19 Jan 1996 · closed 28 May 1996
REAR BRK ADJUSTER FAILURE
DP96002 · Service brakes, hydraulicopened 11 Jan 1996 · closed 19 Jan 1996
REAR BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE
EA90008 · Seat beltsopened 27 Dec 1989 · closed 31 Dec 1991
FAILED PASSIVE RESTRAINT
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation