1990 Mercury Topaz: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1990 Mercury Topaz: 1 recall, 48 owner complaints and up to 24 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Electrical Vehicle recall #96V071000 · 1996 · 7,900,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
Why it matters: This condition could cause overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column area of the vehicle.
The fix: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Airbags Equipment recall #90E043001 · 1990 · 172,000 vehicles
What's wrong: Threaded inflator components May have been damaged during assembly which May allow components to separate when inflator receives a signal to deploy the air bag.
Why it matters: Inflator component separation allows hot combustion gases to escape into the passenger compartment which could result in injuries to vehicle occupants.
The fix: Replace air bag modules containing potentially defective inflators.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 11 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (21): the most common themes are fire / smoke (9), electrical failure (8), stalls / loses power (4).
- Speed control / throttle (6): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Brakes (hydraulic) (6): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (3), noise or vibration (2).
- Engine & cooling (6): the most common themes are leaks (2), fire / smoke (2).
The 1990 Mercury Topaz has 48 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 7 Topaz model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 41). Complaints peaked in 1996 (20 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old. Neighboring years: 1991 (40 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 30 | 24 | Regular |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1990 Mercury Topaz.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1990 Mercury Topaz have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 1990 Mercury Topaz, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1990 Mercury Topaz problems?
Owners have filed 48 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (21), speed control / throttle (6), brakes (hydraulic) (6).
What gas mileage does the 1990 Mercury Topaz get?
EPA ratings run up to 24 mpg combined (2.3 L, Manual 5-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1990 Mercury Topaz repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.