1993 Mercury Topaz

Defect. THESE VEHICLES ARE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. THE VEHICLES INVOLVED ARE 1992-1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES WITH 3.0L ENGINES; 1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ WITH 2.3L ENGINES; 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.8L ENGINES; 1994-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.0L ENGINES AND 1992-1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL VEHICLES WITH 3.8L ENGINES. DURING HIGH WINDS, HEAVY, BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, AND LOW TEMPERATURES, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAN BECOME BLOCKED OR FROZEN WITH SNOW. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT ROTATE AND COULD OVERHEAT.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SMOKE OR FLAMES FROM THE FAN AND/OR SHROUD, THE FAN ELECTRICAL WIRING, OR THE FAN MOTOR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.

Defect. THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

DRIVERS SIDE AUTOMACTIC SHOULDER RETRACTING STUCK AT TOP OF TRACK

THERE IS A SPEED CONTROL ISSUE. INTERMITTENTLY, THE CAR WILL BECOME LOCKED AT 2 RPM WHILE STILL ACCELERATING TO 65+ MPH. THE DRIVING IS NON-SPECIFIC; I COULD BE IDLING, ON THE FREEWAY OR ON SURFACE STREETS. ALTHOUGH I REMOVE MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR CONTINUES TO SPEED UP. IMMEDIATELY TURNING OFF THE ENGINE DOES NOT ELIMINATE THE ISSUE EITHER. ONCE THE CAR IS TURNED ON AGAIN, IT LOCKS AT 4 RPM WHILE IN PARK. THE ISSUE MAY TAKE UP TO 30MINS TO SUBSIDE. LUCKILY, THE BRAKES HAVE YET TO FAIL WHEN THE CAR VOLUNTARILY ACCELERATES (ALTHOUGH THIS DOES WEAR ON THE BRAKES LIKE CRAZY). *TR

THE VEHICLE'S LEFT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN VEERED OFF THE ROAD TOT HE RIGHT AND HIT A GUARDRAIL. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *PH *NM

BOUGHT CAR AT MOONEYS DESERT HOT SPRINGS AUTO SALES IN OCTOBER 10,2002 AS USED CAR. SEAT BELTS DO NOT WORK. SUSPENSION SHAKES, BRAKES MAKE NOISE. FUEL PUMP WENT OUT FIST TRIP. DRIVERS WINDOW DOES NOT RETRACK RIGHT. ENGINE OVER HEAT WHEN IDLING. WATER PUMP WENT OUT. AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER DO NOT WORK.

SEPT 9, 2003 [XXX] FORD MOTOR COMPANY ONE AMERICAN ROAD DEARBORN, MI 48126 DEAR[XXX]: THIS LETTER TO YOU COMES AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS OVER THE YEARS TO COLLECT THE $223.30 CLAIM PAST DUE AND OWED TO ME FOR THE 2002 RECALL ANNOUNCEMENT AND REPLACEMENT OF THE TFI MODULE. AT LOWER LEVELS, I HAVE BEEN TREATED VERY RUDELY, IGNORED, PATRONIZED AND/OR INTERMINABLY REROUTED AND DISCONNECTED AT FORD AND ITS SETTLEMENT AGENTS VOICEMAIL. THERE HAS BEEN NO RESPONSE TO THE APPEAL SENT AND DATED 4-17-03. HOWEVER I SEARCHED AND FOUND THE DEFECTIVE MOTOR CRAFT PART THAT COCHRANS AUTO BODY IN CHESWICK PA 15024 RETURNED TO ME WHEN THEY REPLACED IT. NOW I AM RETURNING IT TO YOU DIRECTLY AS POSITIVE PROOF THAT THE WORK WAS PERFORMED ON MY 1993 MERCURY TOPAZ VIN # [XXX] AND THE $223.30 CLAIM IS LEGITIMATE. PLEASE PROMPTLY SEND ME A CHECK FOR $223.30. ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION HAS BEEN IN THE HANDS OF YOUR SETTLEMENT AGENT SINCE MARCH 23 2002. THANK YOU. YOURS TRULY, [XXX] OCT 21, 2003 FOLLOW UP DUE TO NO RESPONSE NOW THERE HAS BEEN NO RESPONSE FROM YOU. DELIVERY WAS CONFIRMED TO YOUR OFFICE OF THE DEFECTIVE MOTOR CRAFT PART. ITS DIFFICULT TO RECONCILE CUSTOMER DISREGARD WITH FORDS QUALITY IS JOB 1 BRANDING CAMPAIGN! . PLEASE DISBURSE A CHECK TO ME FOR $223.30. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL BECAME VERY HARD, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, VEHICLE SHUT OFF UNEXPECTEDLY. *AK

I PURCHASED A CAR IN OCTOBER OF 2002, THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT WORK,THE A/C AND HEATER DO NOT WORK. FUEL PUMP WENT OUT AFTER AP. 300 MILES, WATER PUMP SHORTLY THERE AFTER. ALL 4 TIRES TREADED APART. ELECTRONIC SIDE MIRRORS DO NOT WORK. GAS GAGE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. HEATS UP WHEN IDLING. EXCESSIVE WOBBLE IN REAR END. FRONT END MAY BE FROM 1992 NOT 1993 MODEL OF CAR. DRIVERS WINDOW DOES NOT RETRACK RIGHT. TRUNK LID HOOK DOES NOT WORK. BRAKES MAKE NOISE. *NLM

RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT WENT OUT WITH WARNING AND REAR STARTING TO. *NLM

AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT WHEN NOT IN USE THE SEAT BELT MOTOR KEEPS RUNNING WHICH HAS DRAINED THE BATTERY, AND COULD ALSO CAUSE SEAT BELT TO BE INOPERATIVE, NOW THE PASSENGER POWER DOOR LOCK HAS FAILED. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK

DRIVER INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, POSSIBLE UNDERCARRIAGE, LEFT FRONT QUARTER PANEL, PLASTIC FENDER WELL, AND LEFT FRONT TURN SIGNAL WERE DAMAGED. THE OHIO TRAFFIC POLICE OBSERVED ONE OF THE FOUR LUGS WAS MISSING, THE OTHER THREE APPEARED UNBROKEN (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *YD

CAR WILL NOT START UNLESS YOU MESS WITH THE SHIFTER AND CAR STALLS OUT AT TIMES DOES NOT ALWAYS REGISTER IN PARK. *AK

WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON CONTINUOUSLY, CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THEY CHANGED ALL SPARK PLUGS AND OIL, THE NEXT DAY CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE AND LESS THAN 5 MINUTES VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.*AK. AFTER THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, THE DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE ENGINE WAS BAD, HOWEVER CONSUMER STATED THAT NO ONE INFORMED HER PRIOR THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE.*SLC

VEHICLE WILL STALL AND THEN SHUT OFF WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH. *AK DEALER HAS REPLACED IGNITION MODULE, FUEL FILTER, SPARK PLUGS, AND DISTRIBUTOR CAP, HOWEVER VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STALL, POSSIBLY ENGINE RELATED. *SLC

THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM FORD COMPANY IS BEING SUIED FOR I WAS NEVER TOLD CAR IS NOW WITH NEW OWER HAD TO TRADE IT IN WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELTS ON DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDES WILL NOT RETRACT. SHOULDER BELT PORTION IS LOCKED IN AUTOMATIC RETRACTOR MECHANISM. THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED SEAT BELTS TO BECOME INOPERABLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT BECOMES JAMMED WITHIN RETRACTING MECHANISM, CAUSING SEAT BELT TO BECOME INOPERABLE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

VEHICLE STALLS OUT, AND WAS TOLD THIS IS A TFI MARGIN ( A DEVICE THAT REGULATES FLOW OF ELECTRIC CURRENT TO SPARKS PLUGS). WHEN VEHICLE STALLS, CONSUMER CUTS IT OFF, AND THEN TURNS IT BACK ON. IT IMMEDIATELY STARTS RIGHT BACK UP. *AK

RETRACTOR SEAT BELTS ON DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDES FAILED AD BECAME STUCK. BELTS WILL NOT COME OUYT OR RETRACT, CAUSING LOSS OF PROTECTION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAKES A REAL FUNNY NOISE WHEN IT GETS STUCK AT TOP. SHAKE IT, AND IT WILL GO BACK DOWN. BUCKLES WON'T RELEASE. IN AN ACCIDENT CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO BE CUT OUT.*AK

INTERMITTENTLLY HOT CLIMATE VEHICLE STALLS OUT AND DIES. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK THE VEHICLE CAN NOT BE DRIVEN IN HOT WEATHER OR ON HIGHWAY DUE TO THE STALLING PROBLEM. *YH

BALL JOINTS WENT OUT 2 WEEKS AFTER CONSUMER PURCHASED VEHICLE. BALL JOINTS HAVE GONE OUT TWO OR THREE TIMES SINCE THEN. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER FIXED PROBLEM WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. BUT, AFTER WARRANTY WAS UP CONSUMER TOOK IT TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. BALL JOINTS WENT OUT WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 45 MPH. *AK

WHEN DRIVING WOULD HEAR A METALLIC NOISE. HAD TROUBLE SHIFTING FROM 1ST & 2ND GEAR. TRANSMISSION DIP STICK WOULD HAVE METAL SHAVING ON IT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP & MECHANIC INDICATED THAT PLANATARY GEAR HAD FAILED. *AK

THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILED CAUSING A RATTLING NOISE TO COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHEN STARTED. THE METAL HAD SEPARATED FROM THE RUBBER AND THE KEYED CENTER PORTION APPEARS TO HAVE BROKE LOOSE FROM THE CASTING. NLM

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

VEHICLE CONTINUALLY STALLS, MECHANIC IS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE PROBLEM.*ET

INTERMITTENTLY IT IS HARD TO START VEHICLE AND IT OVERHEATS. RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED ON THE VEHICLE'S MAKE/MODEL FOR IGNITION AND ENGINE. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK

LINCOLN-MERCURY HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS MOTORIZED SEATBELT PROBLEM FOR YEARS AND REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING TO IMPROVE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS. WHEN THE MOTOR DIES, THE BELT DOES NOT MOVE-A SCARY, NON-SAFETY FEATURE. *AK

THIS CAR IS AT COLLEGE, SO THE NAME OF THE TIRE MIGHT BE INCORRECT. THAT RIGHT FRONT GETS WORN AND CHANGED MUCH MORE FREQUENTLY THAN THE OTHERS. YES, I'VE HAD ALIGNMENTS.*AK( DOT NUMBER: ACRV441097 TIRE SIZE: 185/70/R14 )

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT HAS TROUBLE SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. THE OWNER HAS TO PULL OVER/SHUT OFF THE MOTOR, AND START IT BACK UP. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE BEFORE, AND WAS NOT ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK

GEAR CRACKED CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO LOCK UP AND DESTROY ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. NLM

WATER PUMP HAS FAILED APROXIMATELY EVERY 20,000 TO 30,000 MILES FORM WHEN THE CAR HAD 11,000 MILES TO THE PRESENT. I AM UNABLE TO GET FORD TO TELL ME WHY THIS PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR. I HAVE WORKED THROUGH THE DEALER TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM, BUT NO POSITIVE RESULTS WERE PRODUCED. *AK

THE VEHICLE WAS NOT HOT, AND WHEN JUST CHECKING THE RADIATOR IT EXPLODED, ALMOST CAUSING INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHEN I ASKED THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS TOWED (GRINWALD FORD) LOCATED IN WATERTOWN WI TO CHECK FOR RECALL NOTICES, OR WARRANTY INFO, THEY INFORMED ME "SNOTTILY" THAT "WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THIS IS COVERED" - SERVICE MGR ADMITTED TO NEVER HAVING SEEN THIS HAPPEN B4. I HAVE ASKED FOR BROKEN PARTS TO BE REPLACED AND I HAVE ASKED FOR THE BROKEN PARTS IF YOU WANT THEM FOR INVESTIGATION. PLEASE ADVISE.

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WHEN GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE AND TRYING TO USE THE SEAT BELTS, THE SEAT BELT'S ARE STUCK IN THE TRACKS, CAUSING THE AUTOMACTIC SEAT BELT TO KEEP GOING ACROSS THE FACE AND THE SHOULDER. SOMEONE CAN GET CUT FROM THE SEAT BELT GOING FROM THE BOTH SIDES. *AK

ELECTRIC SYSTEM FAILURE, CAUSINHG POWER WINDOWS/DOORS TO MALFUNCTION. ALSO ABS MAKE METAL TO METAL GRINDING NOISES.

DRVER'S SHOULDER BELT DID NOT RETRACT OR RELEASE WHICH CAUSED THE OCCPANT TO BE LOCKED IN. ALSO STATES THE EMERGENCY SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTON WAS INOPERABLE. DEALER COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

SEAT BELT RETRACTORS DO NOT MOVE AT ALL, THERE IS NOT A SHOULDER HARNESS WHEN THESE DO NOT WORK. CANNOT MOVE MANUALLY. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHEN DRIVING THERE IS A LOUD SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WHEN STOPPING THE VEHICLE THERE IS SOME JERKING WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. DEALER STATED MOTOR MOUNTS NEEDED REPLACING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

DURING REAR IMPACT THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK, AND THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SEATBACK BROKE, CAUSING SEAT TO COLLAPSE INTO REAR SEAT. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

VEHICLE HESITATES, JUMPS, SURGES AND CUTS OFF WHEN COMING TO A STOP.

AIR CONDITIONER SWITCH FAILED.

FAN MOTOR MAKES NOISE.

BRAKES PERFORM POORLY EVEN AFTER THEY WERE REPLACED.

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH VEHICLE WAS STRUCK HEAD-ON BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AIR BAG. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

VEHICLE SHIMMES WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT 35 MPH.

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE BETWEEN 30-65MPH THE CAR BEGAN VIBRATING UNDER THE MOTOR. ALSO, WHEN STOPPING THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY VIBRATED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, THEY STATED THAT IT WAS THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY. MECHANIC REPAIRED THE PROBLEM, BUT HAS SINCE STARTED VIBRATIING AGAIN. *AK

PASSIVE RESTRIANT:MOTORIZED SEAT BELT IS INOPERATIVE. MAKES A GRINDING NOISE WHEN YOU OPEN THE DOOR OR TURN THE MOTOR ON. HAD SAME PROBLEM WHEN VEHICLE HAD 38,000 MILES AND THEY REPALCED THE TRACK AND THE MOTOR.

AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT INTERMITTENTLY VIBRATES. *AK

THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AFTER THAT THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK