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.
1988 Mercury Topaz Recalls
Recalls on record Updated July 2026
The 1988 Mercury Topaz has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 7,991,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seat belts. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
Defect
TWO ATTACHMENT SCREWS FOR THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSORS COULD LOOSEN AND BACK OUT.
Consequence
IF BOTH SCREWS COME OUT, SENSORS COULD DISENGAGE FROMTHE THROTTLE SHAFT, PREVENTING RETURN OF THE THROTTLE FROM MID POSITION.
Remedy
REPLACE ATTACHMENT SCREWS WITH SCREWS WITH PRE APPLIED ADHESIVE THAT WILL BE TIGHTENED TO A HIGHER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.
Complaints by component
SEAT BELTS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
3fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Total complaints28
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“In the case of the defective ford ignition modules( howard vs ford), all the claims that I sent in were rejected by ford. They seem to be using the "jump through the hoop tactic" is this how one of the most defective automotive part recall be handled? In my case there could have been a fatal crash…”
“My air conditioning won't work, my steering is a problem, when I hit the gas pedal once and then let go of it, my steering wheel moves back to its original positon. My valve cover gasket leaks so bad that it smokes. I put 3 quarts in it to go about 20 miles and that really sucks.”
“My air conditioning won't work, my steering is a problem, when I hit the gas pedal once and then let go of it, my steering wheel moves back to its original positon. My valve cover gasket leaks so bad that it smokes. I put 3 quarts in it to go about 20 miles and that really sucks.”
“My air conditioning won't work, my steering is a problem, when I hit the gas pedal once and then let go of it, my steering wheel moves back to its original positon. My valve cover gasket leaks so bad that it smokes. I put 3 quarts in it to go about 20 miles and that really sucks.”
“My air conditioning won't work, my steering is a problem, when I hit the gas pedal once and then let go of it, my steering wheel moves back to its original positon. My valve cover gasket leaks so bad that it smokes. I put 3 quarts in it to go about 20 miles and that really sucks.”
“Vehicle stalls when I take my foot off the gas”
“I filed a complain with ford relative the tfi module with copies of the bill. I was reimbursed for much of the expense less $70. I called, ford could not discuss on phone, was told to write complain to a ford group in ca. This was 3 weeks ago, still no response from ford. The check, dated 4/4/2003…”
“Intermittently the vehicle will not go above 20 mph.”
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 1988 Mercury Topaz as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.