RoadVitals

1994 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.
65
Latest Jan 8, 2009
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 Nov 10, 1994
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.
23
17 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 65 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Mercury Tracer, most frequently naming the brakes, seat belts and airbags categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 78 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

  • Brakes1215.6%
  • Seat belts1215.6%
  • Airbags1013.0%
  • Driver assistance67.8%
  • Engine67.8%
  • Suspension56.5%
  • Fuel system56.5%
  • Transmission56.5%

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
94V218000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Nov 10, 1994
240 units potentially affected
The defect: THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG MODULE CAN HAVE AN INADEQUATELY WELDED INFLATOR CANISTER.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THE WELD SEAM CAN SEPARATE, CAUSING THE AIR BAG TO FAIL TO DEPLOY PROPERLY AND HOT GASES TO BE EXPELLED FROM THE BACK OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS CAN RESULT IN AN INCREASED RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY FROM THE HOT GASES AND THE AIR BAG FAILURE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW AIR BAG MODULE.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 65
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Jan 8, 2009
Crash reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCURY TRACER. 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 VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 94V218000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT THE DEALER AND THEY ARE CHARGING $300 JUST TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND $5,400 FOR THE REPAIR. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 67,000.

NHTSA ID
10254268
Incident
Dec 26, 2008
Mileage
67,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 29, 2007

I HAVE A 97 VILLAGER AND A 94 TRACER SW. I WAS REVIEWING MY RECEIPTS FOR A RECALL FOR THE FILLER PIPE VENT HOSE ON MY VILLAGER FROM 6/2001. IT WAS FIXED THEN. IT SEEMS SAME PART IS NOW LEAKING IN OUR TRACER. IT IS DANGEROUS WHEN DOING A FILL UP FOR IT LEAKS. UPDATED 01-16-08. *KB UPDATED *JB

NHTSA ID
10201084
Incident
Feb 14, 2007
Mileage
87,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Apr 9, 2006

ON FEBRUARY 4, 2006 WE HAD A GOODYEAR ALLEGRA TIRE, PURCHASED AS SAM'S CLUB, GO FLAT. IT WAS THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. WHEN THE SAM'S CLUB TIRE TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE TIRE HE FOUND A DEEP CUT OR CRACK ON THE SIDE WALL. HE THOUGHT IT COULD BE ROAD HAZARD DAMAGE OR VANDALISM. SAM'S CLUB REPLACED THE BASED ON TREAD WEAR. ON APRIL 8, 2006 THE TIRE ON THE LEFT FRONT WENT FLAT. IT HAS DEEP CUTS OR CRACKS ON BOTH SIDE OF THE TIRE, ONE ON THE OUTSIDE AND TWO ON THE BACK OF THE TIRE. THE DAMAGE IS NOT AT THE SAME PLACE ON THE TIRE, THE DAMAGE APPEARS AT ABOUT A 20 DEGREE DIFFERENCE SIDE TO SIDE. IT SEEMS THAT ROAD DAMAGE IS UNLIKELY AND IT IS UNLIKELY THAT A VANDAL WOULD REACH UNDER A VEHICLE. WE HAVE PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGE TO THE SECOND TIRE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10154898
Incident
Apr 8, 2006
Mileage
88,208 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 24, 2005
Fire reported

WHILE AT A STOP A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10115741
Incident
Jan 10, 2005
Mileage
1,802 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 24, 2005
Fire reported

AT AROUND 3 PM, I WAS DRIVING, AND HAD STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, AT 1960 @ INVERNESS FOREST. HEARD A POP THEN HAD A BIG FLAME COME FROM THE HOOD OF THE CAR. IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. CALLED 911. BOTH THE POLICE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO THE SCENE. WHILE ON THE PHONE WITH THE POLICE THE CAR STARTED BACK UP FOR A FEW MOMENTS, AND THE HORN BLASTED.

NHTSA ID
10114599
Incident
Mar 7, 2005
Airbags
Filed Mar 7, 2003

THE WARNING INDICATOR INTERMITTENTLY FLASHES 5 TIMES PAUSE 1 TIME AND THEN REPEATS.*JB

NHTSA ID
10010112
Incident
Feb 27, 2003
Fuel system
Filed Sep 25, 2002

THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK IS LEAKING ALL OVER. THIS VEHICLE IS OUTSIDE OF THE REMEDY SCOPE OF THOSE THAT WERE RECALLED 1995. NLM

NHTSA ID
8019416
BrakesFuel system
Filed Sep 13, 2002

THIS CAR HAS BEEN TOO DANGEROUS AND UNRELIABLE TO DRIVE SAFELY..IT WAS SOLD WITH 15% BRAKES LEFT AFTER I WAS TOLD THAT IT HAD NEW BRAKES AND CALIPERS, A COMPLETE SAFETY CHECK BY JOE KERLEY JEEP EAGLE...SOME ONE HAD PUT SILOCONE ON A BROKEN FUEL PUMP THAT CAUSED FUMES AND COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF GASOLINE TO FILL UNDER THE BACK SEAT....THE CLUTCH BLEW UP WITHOUT ANY NOTICE....THE AIR BAG HAS NEVER DEPLOYED EVEN WHEN I HAD A SPIN OUT ON HIGHWAY 101...I TOLD MR BROOKS ABOUT THE GAS PROBLEM AND HE SAID HE WAS TOO BUSY TO DEAL WITH IT....I HAVE SPENT OVER 3,000$ IN MAJOR REPAIRS AND HAVE NOT EVEN PUT 20000 MILES IN ALMOST 3 YEARS...THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP..BELINDA ANNE BROOKS. NLM

NHTSA ID
767135
Incident
Jun 6, 2000

Manufacturer communications

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

03148

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER - SERVICE TIPS. 2003 ESCORT AND SUPER DUTY F SERIES INCLUDED. *TT

02208

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

CLIMATE CONTROL A/C SERVICE TECH TIPS. *EH

02176

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

LAMP-BRAKE-INVADVERTENT DISABLING OF BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK. *MJ

0214

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SOME ENGINE ASSEMBLIES WITH ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEADS REPAIRED IN-VEHILE HAVE BEEN FOUND TO LEAK COOLANT AND/OR OIL FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET AREA. *TT

01194

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THIS ARITLCE IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON REPLACEMENT OF OLD STYLE HOOD LAMP SWITCH TO THE RVISED MECHANICAL HOOD LAMP SWITCH. *TT

01181

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK.*JB

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
1994Viewing651053.1
1993621152.6
1992242161.5
1991603159.2
1990200—
1989161046.5
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.