AI Damage1999 Mercury Tracer: common problems
Owners of the 1999 Mercury Tracer filed 20 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and service brakes. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 20
- involving a crash
- 6
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 30% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 20% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 15% of all complaints
- 4 Exterior lighting 10% of all complaints
- 5 Parking brake 10% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 7 Suspension 10% of all complaints
- 8 Engine and cooling 5% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 6 complaints (30% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 4 complaints (20% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 3 complaints (15% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Exterior lighting: 2 complaints (10% of all).
- Parking brake: 2 complaints (10% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 20 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 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Parking brake | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 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.
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.
We bought a 1999 mercury tracer brand new on 03-09-99, 6 months later the steering wheel started vibrating badly, this vibration can be felt thru out the car. The car has been in for repair 4 times. The service manager pete solic now says that this vibration is normal.
Parked into a parking lot trying to put in reverse and won't go into gear right away when it did go in reverse it jerked and as a result hit a wall. Couln't get the key out of the iginition when in parked.
While driving at 65mph steering wheel locked up, resulting in a collision. Vehicle was totaled. Dealer has been notified.
The driver rear tail light is doing the same thing too. The light works, but the plastic fittings break and the light could blow off as well--but it is mostly intact at this time and I'm pretty sure I can buy another, however, at this time our tape does run from most of the reflector to the light as well.
Had to replace both headlamp electrical connectors, due to melting from excess heat.
The front plastic headlight lens are deteriorating, conditions are causing poor visibility while driving at night. Both lens was replaced and repaired by a local repair shop. The dealer was not notified. ...the two headlight lens became yellow and discolored. They did not provide adequate visibility at night.
The engine stalled when the consumer attempted to start it .the consumer took the vehicle to the shop for an inspection and results showed that a new ignition switch was needed.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 8,257 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 23% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Tracer has 41 complaints (14 years in the data). This year has 20, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Mercury Tracer?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, service brakes, air bags. Total complaints: 20. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: headlights and tail lights (10%), vibration (10%), airbags did not deploy (5%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1999 Mercury Tracer?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1999 Mercury Tracer from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1999 models
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.