AI DamageMercury Tracer: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Mercury Tracer across 14 model years: 568 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel system 14% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 13% of all complaints
- 4 Engine and cooling 13% of all complaints
- 5 Seat belts 11% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 10% of all complaints
- 7 Suspension 8% of all complaints
- 8 Powertrain 7% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 79 complaints (14% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Fuel system: 77 complaints (14% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 75 complaints (13% of all), 30 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 74 complaints (13% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Seat belts: 63 complaints (11% of all), 12 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.6 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1988–1989
- 1.8 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1991–1996
- 1.9 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1991–1996named in 4 complaints
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1997–1999
- automatic, 3-speed 1988–1989
- automatic, 4-speed 1991–1999
- manual, 5-speed 1988–1999named in 3 complaints
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 568 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 79 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 77 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 75 | 30 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 74 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 63 | 12 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 55 | 11 | 0 |
| Suspension | 45 | 3 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 37 | 3 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 34 | 11 | 0 |
| Steering | 30 | 5 | 0 |
| Visibility | 22 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 17 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 12 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. There were three injuries reported that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Mailed 10/16/14*ljupdated 11/13/14 updated 4/29/2015
While driving 25 mph, the brakes failed and the contact struck a pole head on. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and they stated that they would inspect the vehicle. They discovered that the brakes were faulty and had been repaired prior to the crash.
The vehicle was involved in a frontal collision, and the air bags failed to deploy. The consumer was injured. Four days after the accident the consumer received a recall letter. Recall# 02v323000 scc
While traveling 40-45 mph and as a result of a rear end collision, air bags did not deploy at any time. Please provide further information.
While making a u turn and applying brakes to stop, the vehicle surged forward, jumped a curb and hit a pole. The vehicle was totalled.
While driving at state speed limit and without warning lost control of vehicle, resulting in a collision.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.