RoadVitals

1989 Mercury Tracer

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
16
Latest Aug 13, 2017
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Jun 27, 1995
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3

Overview

Our database contains 16 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Mercury Tracer, most frequently naming the engine, seat belts and brakes categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 18 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine640.0%
  • Seat belts213.3%
  • Brakes213.3%
  • Powertrain (other)16.7%
  • Suspension16.7%
  • Tires & wheels16.7%
  • Electrical16.7%
  • Other / unspecified16.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
95V103011

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

Jun 27, 1995
265,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
The risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THAT LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 16
Filed Aug 13, 2017

THERE IS A STALLING PROBLEM, EVEN WHEN DRIVING! THE WERE A NUMBER OF TIMES THAT I HAD TO BE PUSHED OF A MAIN ROAD. IT TOOK HOURS TO RESTART. IF I WAIT OVER 10 HOURS, MOST TIMES THE CAR WILL RESTART. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE IN THE IGNITION MODULE AND /OR THE MAGNET AND/OR THE ROTOR. I HAVE SPENT NEARLY $2,300.00 REPLACING PARTS. THE CAR STILL STALLS OUT EVEN WHEN DRIVING! IT IS POSSIBLE THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE DISTRIBUTOR OR THE IGNITION MODULE. THE CONTACTS TO THE RELAY IN THE FUSE BOX WERE CLEANED BUT IT STILL STALLS RANDOMLY. I BELIEVE THERE WAS A RECALL WITH THE IGNITION MODULE, ROTOR AND MAGNET SET. IS THAT TRUE?

NHTSA ID
11014936
Incident
Apr 1, 2016
Mileage
90,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Dec 30, 2001

THEY HAVE A LEAP SEAT BELT IN THE BACK ONLY. *AK

NHTSA ID
756208
Engine
Filed Oct 13, 2000

I AM A SINGLE 66 YR OLD ON A FIXED INCOME, PURCHASED THE THE VEHICLE IN JUNE OF 2000 SINCE THAT DATE I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR, WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE GETS HOT OR MORE SO WARMED UP IT QUITS WHEREVER IT MAY BE, THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN INTERSECTIONS AND ALSO THE EXPRESSWAYS. I ALSO HAVE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES AND NOW HAVE SPENT OVER $600.00 NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM MAY BE, AFTER READING THE ARTICLE IN THIS WEEKS ISSUE OF THE OAKLAND PRESS IN REQUARDS TO FORD PRODUCTS THAT WOULD CERTANLY PINPOINT MY PROBLEM.. IF YOU COULD PLEASE HELP ME ON THIS ISSUE I WOULD GREATLY APPERICATE IT.. LUCILLE ROBBS*AK

NHTSA ID
734260
Incident
Jun 1, 2000
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 15, 1999

THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE FAILED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED USED WITH 14,700 MILES. THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURED ON APRIL 5, 1998, TRAVELING 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARINGS SEIZED AND THE WHEEL FELL INWARD PULLING THE CAR SEVERELY TO THE RIGHT. THIS NEARLY CAUSED A COLLISION WITH A SEMI IN THE NEXT LANE. BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT REAR BEARING ASSEMBLIES FAILED ON MAY 5, 1999; AGAIN THE LEFT REAR TIRE TIPPED IN. THE RIGHT REAR FAILED AS WELL. BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED AGAIN ON 10-6-99. ON ALL OCCASIONS NEW BEARINGS AND SEALS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. MY SISTER OWNS A 1989 MERCURY TRACER AS WELL AND HER BEARINGS HAVE FAILED THREE TO FOUR TIMES. I HAVE HAD TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS REPAIR MY BEARINGS. MY SISTER HAS HAD AT LEAST THREE SEPARATE MECHANICS REPAIR. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED IN PROVIDING A SAFE PRODUCT. THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE OF AN EXPRESS WARRANTY BUT DESIGNING PRODUCTS THAT ARE FIT FOR THEIR INTENDED USES AND WILL NOT INJURY PEOPLE. I HAVE LOCATED THREE NHTSA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS THAT MIGHT RELATE: BC3130890301 (ITEM SB005908) AND 90-12-5 (ITEM SB014830) AND 90-19-9 (ITEM SB017139). THIS IS A DANGEROUS DEFECTIVE PRODUCT DESIGN BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.

NHTSA ID
713350
Incident
Apr 5, 1998
Engine
Filed Jul 28, 1999

AT 64,000 MILES THE ENGINE FAILED, OIL LEAKING IN PISTONS, THE WHOLE ENGINE WAS REPLACE. *YC

NHTSA ID
547568
Filed Jun 16, 1999

I AM HAVING A VERY HARD TIME WITH THIS I CANNOT GET COMPLIANCE FROM THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THIS PART OR WHAT I SHOULD DO OR WHO I SHOULD TALK TO. MY CAR HAS NOT BEEN WORKING SINCE THIS PART WENT AND CANNOT GET ANY HELP. IT HAS BEEN TOWED THREE TIMES AND NO ONE CAN SEEM TO HELP ME. I JUST TOW IT FROM PLACE TO PLACE AND THE PART WAS SUPPOSSED TO BE ORDERED IN FEBURARY AND I HAVENT RECEIVED NOTHING YET. IF I COULD JUST KNOW WHO TO TALK TO IT MIGHT HELP ME SOME. CARS SHOULD NOT BE MADE IF THE PARTS CANNOT BE FOUND FOR THEM. WHAT SHOULD I DO? PLEASE HELP ME I LOVE THAT CAR. I TRIED TO ORDER THIS PART AND IT WAS ON ORDER FROM FEBURARY TILL JUNE AND NOTHING FROM NO ONE. WHY IS THINGS BUILT IF THEY CANNOT BE FIXED? I REFUSE TO GIVE UP. JUST GIVE ME SOME NUMBERS IF YOU CANNOT HELP ME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND PATIENCE. LISA MITCHELL. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ID
707617
Incident
Feb 4, 1999
Seat belts
Filed Feb 14, 1999

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ID
703277
Engine
Filed Jul 21, 1998

TRANSMISSION VERY SLUGGISH, NOT ENOUGH POWER TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. WHEN VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED, THE MECHANIC PULLED THE BOLT FROM THE PULLY ON THE CRANKSHAFT AND THE END OF THE CRANKSHAFT FELL OFF.

NHTSA ID
538670
Incident
Jul 1, 1998

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

01157

INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC

0015

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS

99196

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT

99816

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

FORD MOTOR COMPANY NOW RECOMMENDS SAE 5W-30 VISCOSITY GRADE FOR SERVICING ANY FORD GASOLINE-POWERED VEHICLE REGARDLESS OF MODEL YEAR. *TT

9888

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC

9874

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

A NEW SILICONE GASKET AND SEALANT. *YC

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mercury Tracer by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2003010—
2002010—
2001010—
2000210—
1999201155.0
1998441145.5
19971422262.7
1996120044.3
1995963152.8
1994651053.1
1993621152.6
1992242161.5
1991603159.2
1990200—
1989Viewing161046.5
1988213161.3
1987010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.