VehicleVerdict

1985 Mercury Topaz problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 5 complaints on file for the 1985 Mercury Topaz — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

5

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

6

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1985 compare to other Topaz years?

Topaz NHTSA complaints by model year, 1985 highlighted106 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 13 complaints1985: 5 complaints1986: 13 complaints1987: 28 complaints1988: 28 complaints1989: 57 complaints1990: 67 complaints1991: 59 complaints1992: 92 complaints1993: 98 complaints1994: 106 complaints1995: 13 complaints1998: 1 complaints
Topaz NHTSA complaints by model year, 1985 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Topaz years to avoid →

What are the most common 1985 Mercury Topaz problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes360%
Electrical System120%
Speed Control120%

Does the 1985 Mercury Topaz have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E064000Fuel SystemAugust 27, 2007 · 34,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.

Consequence

A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.

85V145000SuspensionNovember 5, 1985 · 227,027 units

Defect

REAR SUPENSION CONTROL ARM-TO-SPINDLE ATTACHMENT BOLTS MAY BE SUBJECT TO FRACTURE CAUSING THE REAR SPINDLE TO SEPARATE DURING USE OF CAR. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF BOLTS FRACTURE AND REAR SPINDLE DISENGAGES FROM CONTROL ARM, LOSS OF CONTROL WILL BE EXPERIENCE WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE REAR SUSPENSION BOLTS AS NECESSARY.

85V134000Electrical SystemOctober 22, 1985 · 3,988 units

Defect

THE UNEXPECTED OPEN THROTTLE CAUSES AN INCREASE IN ENGINE SPEED WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR AND A POTENTIAL CRASH. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL PROCESSOR MAY EXPERIENCE AN INTERMITTENT TIMING PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES IMPROPER EXECUTION ENGINE PERFORMANCE WHICH MAY MAINTAIN OR CAUSE A PARTIALLY OPEN THROTTLE.

Remedy

REPLACE ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL PROCESSOR, IF NECESSARY.

85V086000SuspensionJuly 3, 1985 · 226,729 units

Defect

REAR SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM-TO-SPINDLE ATTACHMENT BOLTS MAY BE SUBJECT TO FRACTURE DURING USE OF CAR. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF BOLTS FRACTURE, REAR SPINDLE COULD DISENGAGE FROM CONTROL ARM AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL.

Remedy

REPLACE REAR SUSPENSION BOLTS AS NECESSARY.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“PE96-005, REAR BRAKE ADJUSTING PIN FAILURE, CAUSING THE BRAKE NOT TO ADJUST PROPERLY. *AK CONSUMER STATES REAR BRAKES DO NOT AUTOMATICALLY ADJUST, BRAKES HAVE TO BE MANUALLY ADJUSTED EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS.*JB ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 1, 1996

1985 Mercury Topaz — common questions

Is the 1985 Mercury Topaz reliable?

The record is thin — 5 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1985 Mercury Topaz have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1985 Mercury Topaz. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1985 Mercury Topaz under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 6 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mercury Topaz years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Topaz years to avoid are 1994, 1993, 1992, 1990, 1991, 1989. The cleanest record among Topaz years belongs to 1998.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.