1985 Mercury Topaz Problems
- Complaints
- 5filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 23 mpgcombined, 2.3L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 27 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1985 Mercury Topaz (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1985 Mercury Topaz. The part named most often is brakes, with 3 complaints (60% of the total), followed by electrical system (1) and vehicle speed control (1). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the module filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes3 60%
- Electrical system1 20%
Example complaints
Brakes: “Pe96-005, rear brake adjusting pin failure, causing the brake not to adjust properly. Consumer states rear brakes do not automatically adjust, brakes have to be manually adjusted every couple of months.”
NHTSA complaint #984236, filed 1996-05Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1985 Mercury Topaz version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topaz FWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 31 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Topaz FWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 30 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Topaz FWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 27 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Topaz FWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Topaz FWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 29 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Topaz FWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 28 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Topaz FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl · diesel | 5-speed manual | 31 | 39 | 34 | $2,800 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 85V145000Nov 5, 1985Suspension › RearCovers: Mercury Topaz 1984–1985, Ford Tempo 1984–1985
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…
- 85V134000Oct 22, 1985Electrical system › Ignition › ModuleCovers: Mercury Topaz 1985, Ford Tempo 1985
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…
- 85V086000Jul 3, 1985Suspension › RearCovers: Mercury Topaz 1984–1985, Ford Tempo 1984–1985
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.
Recall details for the 1985 Mercury Topaz → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1985 Mercury Topaz.
Other model years of the Mercury Topaz
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 63 | 80,000 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 71 | 97,365 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 62 | 33,000 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 40 | 25,000 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 48 | — | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 46 | 94,000 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 21 | 147,256 | 2 | — | 21 | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 16 | 110,000 | 0 | — | 22 | — | Stable |
| 1986 | 9 | — | 0 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 5 | — | 3 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 10 | — | 5 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
All Mercury Topaz model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1985 Mercury Topaz have?
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1985 Mercury Topaz as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1985 Mercury Topaz is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 3 complaints (60% of the total), followed by electrical system with 1.
Has the 1985 Mercury Topaz been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1985 Mercury Topaz get?
The EPA rates the 1985 Mercury Topaz (Topaz, 2.3L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 21 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.