Defect
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
1989 Mercury Topaz Recalls
Recalls on record Updated July 2026
The 1989 Mercury Topaz has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 7,900,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 57 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2fires
SEAT BELTS
1crashes
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
1fires
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Total complaints57
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“I saw on schucks.com that my car was part of a recall for an internal ignition short circuit and my car has had the same symptoms such as smoke coming out of the engine and my car is fine it only has 65,000+ miles on it and it turns off 2-3 secs after turning it on the only way to keep it on is if…”
“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...”
“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...”
“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...”
“Vehicle stalls daily only at a stop stand still postion. Consumer has been to several dealers, they could not find a remedy.*ak consumer states this failure has almost caused several accidents. *slc”
“Drivers motorbelt will not return to shoulder once ignition switch has turned. *slc”
“When driving down the road there was an accident up ahead, vehicle overheated and shut off. Ak”
“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 &…”
Defect investigations
Investigation DP96002 Opened 1996-01-11 · closed 1996-01-19
REAR BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE
There is no summary currently available
Investigation EA90008 Opened 1989-12-27 · closed 1991-12-31
FAILED PASSIVE RESTRAINT
WE HAVE RECEIVED NUMEROUS REPORTS WHICH ALLEGE A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM.ADDITIONAL REPORTS ALLEGE THAT THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILED TO RESTRAIN/ADEQUATELY PROTECT THE OCCUPANT DURING AN ACCIDENT
Investigation PE96005 Opened 1996-01-19 · closed 1996-05-28
REAR BRK ADJUSTER FAILURE
1984 - 1991 FORD TEMPO/MERCURY TOPAZ
Sources & methodology
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1989 Mercury Topaz as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.