1991 Mercury Topaz Problems
- Complaints
- 40filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 25,000miles, 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 1991 Mercury Topaz (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 40 consumer complaints for the 1991 Mercury Topaz. The part named most often is electrical system, with 12 complaints (30% of the total), followed by brakes (8) and seat belts (8). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 25,000 miles. Of all complaints, 9 a fire, 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 system12 30%
- Brakes8 20%
- Seat belts8 20%
- Engine cooling6 15%
- Fuel system5 13%
- Exterior lighting1 2.5%
- Other or unknown1 2.5%
- Seats1 2.5%
Also reported: Steering (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Oil leaks out of the top of the engine when first driven, causing vehicle to smoke until oil is burned out. Vehicle also dies unexpectedly when driving in hot weather. The ignition has been replaced three(3) times by consumer using rebuilt, new and manufactured parts.”
NHTSA complaint #8009258, filed 2002-05Brakes: “Brake pedal gradually kept going closer to floor board when applying brakes, rear brake adjusters are not functioning as designed, should automatically adjust for wear, no accidents..”
NHTSA complaint #801609, filed 1996-08Seat belts: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10069252, filed 2004-01, 25,000 milesEngine cooling: “Vehicle would stall in traffic after stopping. Normally in the middle of an intersection. Thermostat was binding, causing it to stall. Dealer's diagnostic machine wasn't reading what problem could have been.”
NHTSA complaint #881095, filed 2001-02Mileage when problems were reported
100% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 25,000 and 25,000 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 1991 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 | 19 | 29 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Topaz FWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Topaz FWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Topaz AWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 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 1991 Mercury Topaz → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1991 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 1991 Mercury Topaz have?
NHTSA recorded 40 consumer complaints for the 1991 Mercury Topaz as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1991 Mercury Topaz is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 12 complaints (30% of the total), followed by brakes with 8.
Has the 1991 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 1991 Mercury Topaz get?
The EPA rates the 1991 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 1991 Mercury Topaz reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 25,000 miles and the middle half falls between 25,000 and 25,000 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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.