1994 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.

MY DAUGHTER IS CURRENTLY DRIVING A 1994 MERCURY TOPAZ GS THAT I HAVE REGISTERED WITH FORD MOTOR. LAST WEEK SHE EXPERIENCED A FRONT WHEEL ON FIRE AS A RESULT OF AN OVERHEATING BRAKE. THE BRAKE WAS REPAIRED AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SPLASH SHEILD THAT IS NEXT TO THE ROTOR WAS MADE OF A PLASTIC TYPE COMPOSITE THAT OVERHEATED AND BURST INTO FLAME. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A BURNED TIRE AND SUBSEQUENT BLOWOUT AND ACCIDENT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT.*AK

LEFT REAR CONTROL ARM ROTTED IN THE CENTER CAUSING A BREAK. THE CAR SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND BENT THE RIGHT REAR CONTROL ARM AS WELL. UNKNOWN WHAT OTHER DAMAGE WAS CAUSED YET. LEFT REAR CONTROL ARM OBVIOUSLY HAD NO ANTI-CORROSION COATING. RIGHT CONTROL ARMS CORROSION-FREE. LEFT FRONT CONTROL ARM ALSO CORRODED BUT NOT AS BAD.*AK

THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP, WHICH CAUSED THE TIRES TO LOCK UP. *JB THE GAS PEDAL WAS HARD. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE. THE MAIN CONTROL THROTTLE VALVE WAS REPLACED. SCC

THE "LEFT REAR TRAILING ARM" IS RUSTED THROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE MUFFLER IS POSITIONED AGAINST COMPONENT WHICH MAY BE CAUSING CORROSION. THE CONSUMER IS VERY CONCERNED THAT THE WHEEL WILL DISLODGE AND THE VEHICLE MAY TAIL SPIN IF ARM BREAKS. *NLM *SCC

THE PASSENGER SEAT DID NOT SLIDE BACK DURING A SALES PRESENTATION. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE SEAT WOULD BE REPAIRED BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP. A DEPOSIT WAS PUT DOWN FOR THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS ALSO THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONSUMER FELT IT WAS AN ILLEGAL ACTION. (ONLY A RECEIPT WAS SIGNED, NO CONTRACT) THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REFUND. *SCC *JB

MAF SENSOR FAILED. *YD

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

2.3L ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY WOULD STALLS OUT WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY GIVEN SPEED. VEHICLE HAD BEEN WORKED ON BY DEALER ON ONE OCCASION, AND ON TWO OCCASIONS BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. BUT, PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.*AK

PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR PERFORMED POORLY. CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS CAUGHT INSIDE OF SEATBELT, AND WAS NEARLY STRANGLE/ CHOKED TO DEATH. SEATBELT WAS TIGHTLY PLACED ON HER. SEATBELT WOULDN'T RETRACT AT ALL. HIS WIFE HAD OPEN HEART SURGERY. AND HUSBAND WAS CONCERNED AT THIS POINT. *AK

DRIVER'S SIDE LAP SEAT BELT BECAME STUCK AND WOULD NOT RELEASE, CAUSING CONSUMER TO BE TRAPPED IN VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT IS INOPERABLE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

SHOULDER BELT IS IN OPEN POSITION/STUCK ON TRACK. CONSUMER CAN ONLY USE LAP BELT, AND FEELS THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT. *AK

NORTH PARK CONTACTED FORD REPRESENTATIVE AND THE FORD REPRESENTATIVE WOULD ONLY PAY FOR A PORTION OF THE BILL. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE FACTORY SEALANT DID NOT SEAL PROPERLY AND THUS IT CAUSED THE RAIN WATER TO ENTER THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND DAMAGE THE CARPET. THE FORD REPRESENTATIVE TOLD NORTH PARK THAT THEY WOULD ONLY PAY FOR A PORTION. NORTH PARK WAS EXCELLENT IN TRYING TO GET THE FACTORY TO PAY. SO WE ENDED UP PAYING $199.61 TO GET THE CAR FIXED. WE FEEL SINCE THIS APPEARS TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT, WE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED THE $199.61.*AK

GAS PEDAL STICKS UP, TROUBLE MAKING GAS PEDAL TO GIVE THE CAR GAS

WHEN DRIVING AT 60 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, AND VEHICLE CUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, CAUSING LOSS ALL POWER. CONSUMER HAS NOT YET CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

A HARMONIC BALANCER SHOULD NEVER FAIL ON A "STOCK" CAR, I WAS TOLD THAT THIS PART HAS A VERY COMMON FAILURE RATE.I USED TO DRAG RACE AND BUILD ENGINES AND ONLY UNDER RACING CONDITIONS DO STOCK HARMONIC BALANCERS FAIL,NEVER ON A STREET STOCK CONDITION CAR.I THINK THAT THIS IS A SAFTEY HAZZARD BECAUSE IF IT DOES FLY APART IT MAY COME THRU THE HOOD OF THE CAR OR MAYBE THRU THE FIREWALL, IT MAY EVEN DAMAGE THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE AND CAUSE A SUDDEN BLOWOUT.I STILL HAVE THE ONE I REPLACED ON MY CAR IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO EXAMINE IT. THANK YOU!!!

VEHICLE WOULD ROLL BACKWARDS AFTER TURNING IGNITION OFF. WOULD HAPPEN ON THE FLAT SURFACE OF THE ROAD. HAVE NOT BEEN TO DEALERSHIP. *AK

THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS INTERMITTENTLY. *MJS

DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S MOTOR SEAT BELTS WERE STUCK IN THE RAIL, WHICH WON'T PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANTS IN EVENT OF A CRASH. OCCUPANTS COULD HAVE SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK *ML

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH DRIVER'S SEAT REMAINING IN A DECLINING POSITION. UNABLE TO STAY UPRIGHT DUE TO A PART NEEDED TO BE CORRECTED. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND WERE AWARE THAT PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE, AND WAS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER. *AK

CAR WILL ROLL MAYBE 6 INCHES OR A FOOT WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF, NO MATTER HOW LONG VEHICLE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. VEHICLE JUMPS IN AND OUT OF GEAR, AND ROLLS WHEN IN PARK. *AK.ET.

THE GAS TANK WAS LEAKING FUEL ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY THE RUSTING OUT OF THE TANK. THE CAR HAS NO OTHER EVIDENCE OF RUST. THE CAR HAS BEEN KEPT IN A GARAGE AND HAS NEVER BEEN DRIVEN ON SALTED ROADS. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND CAN VERIFY THAT THE CAR HAS NEVER HAD ANY REAR END DAMAGE. ACCORDING TO OUR MECHANIC THE LEAK COULD HAVE LEAD TO AN EXPLOSION. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS BEEN RELUCTANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS ANY PROBLEM WITH THE RUSTING OF A GAS TANK.

WHILE TRAVELING VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT ANY INDICATION . VEHICLE WILL NOT RESTART AFTER STALLING . PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

ENGINE BALANCER IS GONE BAD, CAUSING A VERY LOUD NOISE WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DUE TO THE UNBALANCED BRACKET. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS YET TO REPLACE PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES BUT CAN'T FIND A PROBLEM. HAD A TUNE UP STILL DOESN'T START ALL THE TIME. WHEN IT DOESN'T START JUMP THE BATTERY AND IT STARTS FOR AWHILE

THE LOWER CAMSHAFT BALANCER IS LOUD, MAKING A RATTLING SOUND.CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

APPARENTLY THE FORD COMPANY KNEW OF THE DEFECTIVE FAN MOTOR/BALANCE PROBLEM, BUT SENT NO NOTIFICATION TO OWNERS. THE PROBLEM COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ENGINE FIRE. NOW, WE ARE EXPECTED TO PAY OVER $200 TO FIX A DEFECTIVE PART THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED BY FORD 2 YEARS AGO. THIS IS IRRESPONSIBLE ON THE FORD COMPANY'S PART.

DEALERS WILL NEVER LISTEN TO CONSUMER AND FIX WHAT IS REALLY WRONG WHEN THEY CAN FIND SOMETHING ELSE. FIRST THAT WILL INCREASE COST OR NOT FIX THE PROBLEM THAT IS OCCURRING AND SHRUG SHOULDERS AND SAY THAT THE CAR IS WORKING WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS. NO SAFETY DEFECT INCLUDED IN SUMMARY. *AK

THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH SEAT TRACKS AND ANCHORS. DURING A MINOR COLLISION IN WHICH THE CONSUMER WAS REARENDED, DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATS FLEW BACK AND CHAIR RECLINED. BY THE END OF THE ACCIDENT, THEY WERE FACING THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK

VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED, IMPACT CAUSED THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SEATS TO BREAK, DRIVER AND PASSENGER BOTH FELL BACK IN THEIR SEATS AND LANDED ON THEIR BACKS. DRIVER WAS HELD DOWN BY SEAT BELT AND WAS UNABLE TO GET BACK UP TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE INJURED. *AK *ML

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER 'S/PASSENGER'S SIDE SEATS BROKE, CAUSING CONSUMER TO PASS OUT IN THE VEHICLE. *AK

DRIVER'S LAP BELT BUCKLE WOULD NOT RELEASE OR UNLOCK, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO CUT THE SEAT BELT OFF. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

PREMATURE WEAR OF FRONT BRAKE PADS. IN ADDITION, POWER WINDOW/FRONT TIE ROD ENDS/FUEL PUMP AND TRANSMISSION FAILED AND REPLACED. *AK

SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT AND MOTOR FEELS LIKE IT IS STILL WORKING. A YEAR AGO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DID NOT RETRACT, AND SIX MONTH AGO WAS THE DRIVER'S SIDE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK

HORN IS INOPERABLE, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE HORN WAS HARDLY EVER USED. *SLC

ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BROKE.

MOTORBELT FAILED.

VEHICLE STALLED IN TRAFFIC, UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE.

SEAT BELT FAILED TO CLOSE ENTIRELY UPON PUTTING VEHICLE INTO MOTION.

FAILED MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. FAILED PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCK. FAILED DRIVE BELT--ROT. TIRE WILL NOT RETAIN PRESSURE. EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR. FUEL INJECTOR DAMAGE. FAILED CATALYTIC CONVERTER. FAILED THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. REPLACED FRONT BRAKES TWICE. OWNER WANTS THE CAR TO BE TAKEN BACK.

ABS FAILED CAUSES VEHICLE TO REAR END ANOTHER. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING CRASH.

OWNER HIT ANOTHER CAR AND HIS AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK

CONSUMER NOTICED VEHICLE WAS HAVING A SHORT IN THE HEADLIGHTS BEFORE IT TURNED COMPLETELY OFF, HAD TO PUT ON HIGH BEAMS, WENT TO OPEN PART, NOTICED WIRING WAS BURNT COMPLETELY BLACK INSIDE. *AK

DURING FRONTAL IMPACT AT SPEEDS OF 20MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

STEERING WHEEL CAME OFF DUE TO BROKEN TILT STEERING MECHANISM. CAUSE OF DEFECT UNKNOWN. *AK

HOLE IN FUEL LINE, CAUSING MOISTURE TO BUILD UP, AFFECTING FRONT FACING REAR AXLE, RESULTING IN TUSTED GAS TANK. *AK

MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR FAILED.

WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR, NO DRIVE, ENGINE STILL RUNNING, NO GEARS, ACCORDING TO DEALER, MAIN GEAR DRIVE FAILED, REPLACED, ALL GEARS INSIDE TRANSMISSION WERE LOOSE . *AK

EMISSIONS SYSTEM FAILED.