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1988 Mercury TopazProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 21 owner complaints about the 1988 Mercury Topaz, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints216 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage81kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 15, 2004. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1988 Mercury Topaz has problems

21 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system73
Seat belts50
Engine and engine cooling40
Steering21
Exterior lighting20
Seats11
Power train10
Service brakes, hydraulic10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1988 Mercury Topaz recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Electrical system: ignition

Recall 96V-071 · Apr 25, 1996 · 7,900,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control

Recall 88V-024 · Mar 1, 1988 · 91,000 vehicles

Risk. IF BOTH SCREWS COME OUT, SENSORS COULD DISENGAGE FROMTHE THROTTLE SHAFT, PREVENTING RETURN OF THE THROTTLE FROM MID POSITION.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mercury.

Best & worst years

1988 vs. every other Topaz year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Topaz median. How we score

'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'98
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1988 Mercury Topaz, and the recalls they led to.

  1. REAR BRAKE SYSTEM FAILUREDP96002 · closed Jan 19, 1996
    No recall
  2. FAILED PASSIVE RESTRAINTEA90008 · closed Dec 31, 1991
    No recall
  3. REAR BRK ADJUSTER FAILUREPE96005 · closed May 28, 1996
    No recall
In owners' words

What Topaz owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I FILED A COMPLAIN WITH FORD RELATIVE THE TFI MODULE WITH COPIES OF THE BILL. I WAS REIMBURSED FOR MUCH OF THE EXPENSE LESS $70. I CALLED, FORD COULD NOT DISCUSS ON PHONE, WAS TOLD TO WRITE COMPLAIN TO A FORD GROUP IN CA. THIS WAS 3 WEEKS AGO, STILL NO RESPONSE FROM FORD. THE CHECK, DATED 4/4/2003…
Complaint 10016553 · Apr 26, 2003 · 80,513 miles
IN THE CASE OF THE DEFECTIVE FORD IGNITION MODULES( HOWARD VS FORD), ALL THE CLAIMS THAT I SENT IN WERE REJECTED BY FORD. THEY SEEM TO BE USING THE "JUMP THROUGH THE HOOP TACTIC" IS THIS HOW ONE OF THE MOST DEFECTIVE AUTOMOTIVE PART RECALL BE HANDLED? IN MY CASE THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL CRASH…
Complaint 10014249 · Apr 10, 2003
VEHICLE STALLS WHEN APPLYING GAS PEDAL INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. IT IS WORSE IN WINTER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Complaint 879032 · Jan 25, 2001

Own a 1988 Topaz?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.