1989 Mercury Topaz Problems
- Complaints
- 46filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 94,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 21 mpgcombined, 2.3L 4-cyl FWD · 19 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Mercury Topaz (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 1989 Mercury Topaz. The part named most often is electrical system, with 13 complaints (28% of the total), followed by engine cooling (10) and seat belts (7). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 94,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 5 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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.
- Electrical system13 28%
- Engine cooling10 22%
- Seat belts7 15%
- Fuel system4 8.7%
- Brakes3 6.5%
- Equipment2 4.3%
- Exterior lighting2 4.3%
- Other or unknown2 4.3%
Also reported: Steering (2), Air bags (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #855237, filed 2000-02Engine 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...”
NHTSA complaint #10069005, filed 2004-01, 94,000 milesSeat 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.”
NHTSA complaint #705183, filed 1999-04Vehicle speed control: “Vehicle will not accelerate past five MPH with application of gas pedal. Dealer stated vehcle needed new transmission. Please provide further information.”
NHTSA complaint #861008, filed 2000-04Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 94,000 and 94,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1989 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 | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Topaz FWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Topaz FWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Topaz AWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,550 |
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
- 96V071000Apr 25, 1996Electrical system › IgnitionCovers: Mercury Topaz 1988–1993, Ford Thunderbird 1988–1993, Mercury Cougar 1988–1993 +12 more
The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
Recall details for the 1989 Mercury Topaz → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1989 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 1989 Mercury Topaz have?
NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 1989 Mercury Topaz as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Mercury Topaz is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 13 complaints (28% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 10.
Has the 1989 Mercury Topaz been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1989 Mercury Topaz get?
The EPA rates the 1989 Mercury Topaz (Topaz, 2.3L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 19 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1989 Mercury Topaz reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 94,000 miles and the middle half falls between 94,000 and 94,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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.