1991 Mercury Topaz problems
NHTSA has received 59 complaints about the 1991 Mercury Topaz, and 22% of them involve electrical system. Next are brakes (19%) and seat belts (14%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 59 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Electrical system 22% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 10
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What the data shows
Safety-related details: 10 complaints mention a fire.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1991 ranks 3rd most-complained-about out of 5 model years of the Mercury Topaz with enough data (36 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
While parked over night, quoted by fire marshall "vehicle started" then began smoking until fire ignited. Now classified as totaled. Please describe details.
Had just started vehicle & left it parked & running. Left for a moment. After returning, noticed flames around the edges of the hood. Called fire department. They put flames out & informed owner it was electrical wiring & harness. Vehicle was totaled.
Vehicle caught fire due to defective ignition switch. A recall has been issued on the vehicle's make/model. However, the consumer was not notified prior to the fire. Dealer has refused to reimburse for or replace car.
Lots of peeling on the paint. Also the alternator went out the first year of ownership. I\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'ve had so much fixed on this car already and spent lots of money. Please advise.