Total Complaints
57 filings
MERCURY TOPAZ · model year
1989 MERCURY TOPAZ
57 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1989MERCURYTOPAZ carries 57 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 5 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1989 TOPAZ is engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline with 7 filings, followed by seat belts (6) and power train:automatic transmission (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 22 investigation files overlapping the 1989 TOPAZ. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
57
Complaints
2
Crashes
5
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 7 |
| SEAT BELTS | 6 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 4 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 4 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 4 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 4 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | 3 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 2 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 2 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20080316ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I SAW ON SCHUCKS.COM THAT MY CAR WAS PART OF A RECALL FOR AN INTERNAL IGNITION SHORT CIRCUIT AND MY CAR HAS HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS SUCH AS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE AND MY CAR IS FINE IT ONLY HAS 65,000+ MILES ON IT AND IT TURNS OFF 2-3 SECS AFTER TURNING IT ON THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP IT ON IS IF I GIVE IT GAS. *TR
20040422ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CAR KEEPS STALLING WHEN IN AN IDLE POSITION (LIKE AT A STOP LIGHT).TAKES ABOUT 10 TRIES TO GET IT TO START,AND KEEP RUNNING.WILL IDLE HIGH THEN IDLE LOW THEN IDLE HIGH AGAIN THEN DIE...
Mileage: 94,000
20040422UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CAR KEEPS STALLING WHEN IN AN IDLE POSITION (LIKE AT A STOP LIGHT).TAKES ABOUT 10 TRIES TO GET IT TO START,AND KEEP RUNNING.WILL IDLE HIGH THEN IDLE LOW THEN IDLE HIGH AGAIN THEN DIE...
Mileage: 94,000
20040422EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
CAR KEEPS STALLING WHEN IN AN IDLE POSITION (LIKE AT A STOP LIGHT).TAKES ABOUT 10 TRIES TO GET IT TO START,AND KEEP RUNNING.WILL IDLE HIGH THEN IDLE LOW THEN IDLE HIGH AGAIN THEN DIE...
Mileage: 94,000
20020906ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR HAD THREE SETS OF WIRES REPLACED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
20010417ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE STALLS DAILY ONLY AT A STOP STAND STILL POSTION. CONSUMER HAS BEEN TO SEVERAL DEALERS, THEY COULD NOT FIND A REMEDY.*AK CONSUMER STATES THIS FAILURE HAS ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. *SLC
20001219FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE OVERHEATED AND CAUGHT FIRE. *MJS
20001115ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
20001017SEAT BELTS
DRIVERS MOTORBELT WILL NOT RETURN TO SHOULDER ONCE IGNITION SWITCH HAS TURNED. *SLC
20000822STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE REPORTED HERE WAS REACALLED IN 1997 AND WAS TAKEN IN FOR REPAIRS AND WHEN I GOT IT BACK THE STEERING WAS MESSED UP. THE DEALER OF REAPIRS WAS NOTIFIED BUT DID NOT CONTACT ME BACK! I HAVE LONG SINCE HAD TONS OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR! IT CONTINUOUSLY KEPT STALLING OUT AND LOST POWER GOING UPHILL ON A HIGHWAY!*AK
20000426VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE PAST FIVE MPH WITH APPLICATION OF GAS PEDAL. DEALER STATED VEHCLE NEEDED NEW TRANSMISSION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
20000426POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE PAST FIVE MPH WITH APPLICATION OF GAS PEDAL. DEALER STATED VEHCLE NEEDED NEW TRANSMISSION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
20000412ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT UP AHEAD, VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND SHUT OFF. AK
20000211ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE & NOTICED AN ODOR INSIDE VEHICLE. THE BATTERY LIGHT FLASHED ON. AT HOME CHECKED UNDER HOOD. NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM WIRE HARNESS NEAR THE ALTERNATOR. THE PLASTIC WIRE HARNESS HAD MELTED DOWN. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE WIRE HARNESS & THE ALTERNATOR DUE TO BEING SHORTED OUT. *AK
20000211ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE & NOTICED AN ODOR INSIDE VEHICLE. THE BATTERY LIGHT FLASHED ON. AT HOME CHECKED UNDER HOOD. NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM WIRE HARNESS NEAR THE ALTERNATOR. THE PLASTIC WIRE HARNESS HAD MELTED DOWN. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE WIRE HARNESS & THE ALTERNATOR DUE TO BEING SHORTED OUT. *AK
19990924POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE PAST 5MPH WITH APPLICATION OF GAS PEDAL. DLR SAYS NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION. MJS
19990802CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, VEHICLE LOSS CONTROL CAUSING CONSUMER TO RUN INTO A WALL WHICH RESULTED IN NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG SYSTEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *YC
19990522EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
BOTH HEADLIGHT LENSES HAVE BECOME OPAQUE, BECOMING WORSE OVER THE YEARS, RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT ILLUMINATION AT NIGHT, CAUSING DRIVER TO TRY NOT TO DRIVE ON HIGHWAYS AFTER DARK.
19990401SEAT BELTS
DRIVER'S SIDE MOTORIZED SEAT BELT FAILS WITH BELT IN THE FULL FORWARD POSITION. THIS LEAVES THE DRIVER WITHOUT ANY RESTRAINT BEING AVAILABLE. THIS MEANS THE DRIVER CAN EASILY SUSTAIN FAR GREATER INJURIES IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. *AK
19990323VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ONLY IN TWO OCCURRENCES VEHICLE SURGES UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Compare 1989MERCURYTOPAZ to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1989 MERCURY TOPAZ have?▼
The 1989 MERCURY TOPAZ has 57 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 5 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1989 MERCURY TOPAZ?▼
The most-complained component for the 1989 MERCURY TOPAZ is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE with 7 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SEAT BELTS and POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Is the 1989 MERCURY TOPAZ safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.