1990 Mercury Topaz Problems
- Complaints
- 48filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- 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 1990 Mercury Topaz (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 48 consumer complaints for the 1990 Mercury Topaz. The part named most often is electrical system, with 21 complaints (44% of the total), followed by brakes (6) and engine cooling (6). Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 11 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 system21 44%
- Brakes6 13%
- Engine cooling6 13%
- Steering4 8.3%
- Exterior lighting3 6.3%
- Seat belts3 6.3%
- Fuel system2 4.2%
- Suspension2 4.2%
- Equipment1 2.1%
Also reported: Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seats (1), Tires (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Vehicle caught on fire. Fire started in the steering column. Vehicle experienced the same problem as manufacturer's recall 7774/ignition switch. Ford advised consumer that this vehicle was not part of the recall.”
NHTSA complaint #863031, filed 2000-06Engine cooling: “Brother had driven the car to get it washed. Then drove to a restuarant, and the car started smoking and caught on fire. Called fire department to extinguish the fire.”
NHTSA complaint #844055, filed 1999-08Vehicle speed control: “Whenever engine is cold accelerator pedal gets stuck. Needs to press very hard in order for it to catch. Took to dealer & mechanic could not find the problem which occurs frequently, but intermittently.”
NHTSA complaint #822771, filed 1998-04Complaints 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 1990 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 | 30 | 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 1990 Mercury Topaz → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1990 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 1990 Mercury Topaz have?
NHTSA recorded 48 consumer complaints for the 1990 Mercury Topaz as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Mercury Topaz is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 21 complaints (44% of the total), followed by brakes with 6.
Has the 1990 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 1990 Mercury Topaz get?
The EPA rates the 1990 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.
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.