1988 Mercury Topaz Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 19%of 21 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 214,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1988 Mercury Topaz, 19% of the 21 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 214,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My air conditioning won't work, my steering is a problem, when I hit the gas pedal once and then let go of it, my steering wheel moves back to its original positon. My valve cover gasket leaks so bad that it smokes. I put 3 quarts in it to go about 20 miles and that really sucks.”
NHTSA complaint #10070262, filed 2004-01, 214,000 miles“Was backing out of driveway vehicle started to jerk & wobble in rear. Took vehicle to repair shop & was informed that motor mounts needed to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #836704, filed 1999-04Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 13 | 21% |
| 1993 | 15 | 21% |
| 1992 | 14 | 23% |
| 1991 | 6 | 15% |
| 1990 | 6 | 13% |
| 1989 | 10 | 22% |
| 1988 | 4 | 19% |
| 1987 | 4 | 25% |
| 1986 | 3 | 33% |
| 1984 | 3 | 30% |
Other parts of the 1988 Mercury Topaz
7 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1988 Mercury Topaz
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology