RoadVitals

1995 Mercury Tracer Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
96
Latest Jul 14, 2014
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.
5
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Mar 20, 1995

What this page shows

Our database holds 96 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1995 Mercury Tracer. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 96 · page 1 of 4

Fuel system
Filed Jul 14, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY TRACER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A LEAK ON THE GROUND AND THE FUEL GAUGE DECREASED FROM A FULL TANK TO HALF OF A TANK. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 97V144000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ID
10610276
Incident
Jul 11, 2014
Mileage
45,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 9, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY TRACER. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN OVERPOWERING FUEL SMELL. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS FRACTURED AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V144000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,600.

NHTSA ID
10469963
Incident
Aug 5, 2012
Mileage
109,600 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 3, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY TRACER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION OR STATIONARY, A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE FUEL EMITTED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS FRACTURED AS A RESULT TO A FAULTY HEAT SHIELD BRACKET. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V144000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STORAGE; TANK ASSEMBLY) BUT THE VEHICLE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR REPAIRS DUE TO THE VEHICLE NOT BEING ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10398756
Incident
Mar 18, 2011
Fuel system
Filed Sep 29, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY TRACER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SINCE THE YEAR 2000, SHE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE EMANATING FROM THE VEHICLE. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE. SHE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL 97V145000, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE STORAGE TANK ASSEMBLY. SHE WAS ADVISED THAT SINCE HER VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL, SHE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA ID
10285644
Incident
Jan 1, 2000
Mileage
76,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 17, 2009

95 TRACER WAGON 9/3/97 THERE WAS A RECALL WITH THE SAME ISSUE I AM NOW HAVING. WE NEVER REC'D ANY NOTIFICATION THERE WAS ANY RECALL. THE FUEL TANK IS LEAKING NEAR THE HEAT SHIELD. A CALL WAS MADE TO STIVERS LAST NIGHT AND WE WERE TOLD NOTHING COULD BE DONE DUE TO THE LENGTH OF YEARS THAT HAD PASSED.BUT WAS TOLD TO CALL FORD MOTOR. A CALL WAS MADE THIS MORNING. WAS TOLD BY FORD MOTOR AT 800-392-3673 THAT MY CAR WAS MADE 1/95 AND THE 64000 THAT WAS RECALLED WERE BETWEEN 4/29/95 AND 10/95. THE CAR HAD BEEN IN FOR PREVIOUS SERVICING AND EVEN THEN NOTHING WAS SAID TO US ABOUT A RECALL. OUR PROBLEM IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS WHAT THE RECALL WAS FOR. AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL MY CAR WAS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD. WE FEEL THAT HEY SHOULD TAKE CARE OF A REPLACEMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10284453
Incident
Sep 15, 2009
Engine
Filed Jul 20, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY TRACER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY HESITATED AND LOST ENGINE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER AT A SERVICE STATION AND INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. HE DETECTED THAT THE TIMING BELT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY REPLACED THE WATER PUMP AND SERPENTINE BELT. IN ADDITION, THE NUMBER FOUR PISTON EXPLODED WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY INOPERABLE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,607 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,722.

NHTSA ID
10277529
Incident
Jul 5, 2002
Mileage
61,607 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 25, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY TRACER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT GASOLINE WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE FOUND A FRACTURE IN THE FUEL TANK. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 97V145000 AND 97V144000, ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 116,000.

NHTSA ID
10274991
Incident
Mar 10, 2009
Mileage
116,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 7, 2009

FUEL TANK LEAK (STRONG ODOR - NO VISIBLE LEAKAGE) ODOR DETECTABLE IN GARAGE AND OUTSIDE FORD SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL REQUIRED AND WILL NOT CORRECT THE LEAK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10267937
Incident
Apr 15, 2009
Mileage
83,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 22, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY TRACER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS GAS TANK WAS LEAKING FUEL. HE PARKED HIS VEHICLE AND A PUDDLE OF GAS LEAKED OUT. CRACKS CAN DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TANK NEAR THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENT, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE IF THE CRACKS GO THROUGH THE FUEL TANK WALL. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V144000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.

NHTSA ID
10246402
Incident
Oct 13, 2008
Mileage
142,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 13, 2008

THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK HAS CRACKED AS DESCRIBED IN THE CAMPAIGN ID 97V144000. PUTTING IN ANYMORE THAN 3 GALLONS OF GAS IN THE TANK CAUSES IT TO LEAK AND HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. UNFORTUNATELY, THE FORD DEALERSHIP STATES THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPAIR THIS UNDER THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY NOT USABLE DUE TO THE LEAKING FUEL AND AT AN ESTIMATED $800 TO REPAIR THIS MANUFACTURERS DEFECT, I AM OUT A VEHICLE FOR AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME. I FEEL THAT IT WAS UNFAIR FOR THIS RECALL NOT TO INCLUDE ALL VEHICLES OF THE SAME GAS TANK DESIGN, WHICH HAS CAUSED THIS FAILURE, TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10238046
Incident
May 28, 2008
Mileage
135,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 5, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY TRACER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE. HE STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 97V144000 AND 97V145000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY) MENTIONED THE SAME FAILURES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 143,300 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,296. UPDATED 09/24/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/30/08.*JB

NHTSA ID
10237015
Incident
Jul 18, 2008
Mileage
143,296 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 28, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY TRACER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT DETECTED A GAS ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER, RECALL # 97V145000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY) DOES NOT APPLY TO HIS VIN. THE CONTACT FELT THAT HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,471.

NHTSA ID
10194854
Incident
Jun 26, 2007
Mileage
50,471 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 14, 2006

I SMELLED GASOLINE IN MY GARAGE ON TUESDAY JUNE 11. LAYING BETWEEN THE CARS I FOUND SEVERAL STEADY DRIPS FROM THE FUEL TANK. I PUSHED THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE AND TWO DAYS LATER IT HAD LEAKED TO A LEVEL FOR THE LEAK TO STOP. I CONTACTED FORD/MERC. MOTOR CO. ABOUT THE EXISTING RECALL , NOTES:MERCURY TRACER 97S79,FOR THE POTENTIAL UNITS AFFECTED 64000 VEHICLES. EVEN THOUGH I HAD A SERIOUS POTENTIAL FOR A HOUSE FIRE I WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL. I WAS FURTHER TOLD TO GET IT FIXED BY A FOR DEALER AND THEY MAY REVIEW THE DATA IN THE FUTURE. I AM LOOKING FOR IMMEDIATE RELIEF FOR THIS PROBLEM. CAN YOU HELP? *JB

NHTSA ID
10162426
Incident
Jun 11, 2006
Mileage
71,288 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 16, 2005

THE PLASTIC GAS TANK ON OUR 1995 MERCURY TRACER CRACKED OPEN. THE SHOP THAT WE TOOK IT TO KNEW OF A RECALL BECAUSE HE OWNED ONE PREVIOUSLY THAT WAS RECALLED FOR THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM. OURS IS NOT UNDER THE RECALL, BUT THE CRACK IS IDENTICAL TO WHAT IS IN RECALLS 97V145000 AND 97V144000. THE HEAT SHIELD THAT IS MOUNTED DIRECTLY TO THE GAS TANK, CRACKED THE TANK AND CAUSED WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN A POTENTIAL FIRE IF WE HAD NOT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS GAS LEAKING ONTO THE ROADWAY. THE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE, BUT WE FEEL THAT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED UNDER THE RECALL. IT IS A 1.9L ENGINE AND WAS BUILT IN MEXICO. *NM

NHTSA ID
10133036
Incident
Aug 13, 2005
Mileage
88,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 24, 2005

CONSUMER STATES: FUEL TANK VENT HOSE LEAKS WHEN YOU FILL IT UP, WHEN YOU RUN SO LOW IT QUITS LEAKING ,AND IS ON HIGHWAY.*AK *TT *NM

NHTSA ID
10120064
Incident
May 1, 2003
Engine
Filed Mar 13, 2005

THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 1.9L ENGINE. THE #4 INTAKE VALVE SEAT DROPS, RESULTING IN THE NEED TO COMPLETELY REPLACE THE CYLINDER HEAD AND ALL ASSOCIATED PARTS. IE... VALVE SEATS, PISTON, PISTON RINGS, ROD BEARINGS AS WELL AS HAVING TO CONDUCT PRESSURE TESTS, HONE THE CYLINDERS & A VARIETY OF OTHER TIME & MONEY CONSUMING ITEMS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10114009
Incident
Jan 10, 2005
Fuel system
Filed Jul 12, 2004

CONSUMER SMELLED GASOLINE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. A RECALL WAS ISSUED. CALLED THE MERCURY MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT VIN NUMBER DID NOT MATCH THE RECALL. *AK

NHTSA ID
10081694
Incident
Jul 10, 2004
Mileage
160,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 23, 2004

CONSUMER NOTICED LIQUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A CRACK INSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. *AK

NHTSA ID
10079753
Incident
Jun 23, 2004
Fuel system
Filed Nov 28, 2003

DEALER DETERMINED THAT A CRACK AT THE SHIELD BRACKET CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE FUEL TANK. RECALL 97V144000 CONCERNING FUEL TANK WAS ISSUED; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10048764
Mileage
70,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 22, 2003

NHTSA RECALL 97-V-144-000 :VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.9L ENGINES, BUILT AT THE HERMOSILLO OR WAYNE ASSEMBLY PLANTS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR IS CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CRACKS CAN DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TANK NEAR THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENT, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE IF THE CRACKS GO THROUGH THE FUEL TANK WALL. THE CONSUMER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED DUE TO THE VIN. *AK THERE WERE CRACKS AND LEAKS IN THE FUEL LINE AT THE HEAT SHIELD MOUNT. THE TANK WAS REPLACED. *SCC *NLM

NHTSA ID
10029742
Incident
Jul 21, 2003
Mileage
150,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 29, 2003

HEAT SHIELD ATTATCHMENT IS CRACKED, RESULTING IN GASOLINE LEAK. *AK

NHTSA ID
10030353
Incident
Jul 26, 2003
Mileage
56,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 14, 2003

FUEL TANK IS LEAKING, CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD CATCH ON FIRE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10027128
Incident
Jul 7, 2003
Mileage
107,000 mi
AirbagsFuel system
Filed Nov 8, 2002

MY DATES/ MILEAGE ARE NOT ACCURATE, BUT INFO OTHERWISE IS CORRECT. DO I NEED ACCIDENT REPORT FOR AIR BAG DATE? I AM SCARRED FROM THE GAS AND THE AIRBAG SEAM THAT RIPPED MY WRISTS OPEN FROM THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE BAGS DURING THIS ACCIDENT. I WAS QUITE INFECTED. ALSO, MY GAS TANK CRACKED A FEW YEARS AGO AND MY EX-BEAU USED BOAT PUTTY FOR PLASTIC BOAT GAS TANKS TO FIX IT UNTIL I COULD HANDLE IT. IT HELD WELL UNTIL NOW AND HAS CRACKED FURTHER IN THE SAME AREA. PUTTY IS NOT HOLDING ANY LONGER. I WAS JUST ABOUT TO REPLACE THE TANK RECENTLY WHEN I HEARD ABOUT THE RECALL. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF I AM STILL ELIGIBLE FOR A REPLACEMENT TANK PER THE RECALL OF 1997 AND FOR REPLACEMENT AIR BAGS. AFTER MY ACCIDENT I DID HAVE MY CAR REPAIRED BUT WONDER IF THE SAME YR AND MODEL OF AIRBAG MAY BE INSTALLED. PLEASE ADVISE ASAP. I NEED TO HANDLE MY AIR BAGS & TANK AS I CAN PUT LESS THAN $7 IN GAS AT A TIME OR IT LEAKS AND EATS ASPHALT AWAY ON THE STREET AND IN PARKING SPACES. THE SMELL AND DANGER IS AT A HIGH LEVEL. PLEASE RESPOND QUICKLY.THANKS AGAIN. DT

NHTSA ID
769469
Incident
Sep 16, 1998
Seat belts
Filed Sep 6, 2002

DRIVER'S SIDE MOTORIZED SHOULDER BELT IS STUCK IN MID-POSITION, NOT MOVING FORWARD OR AROUND DRIVER. MANUFACTURE IS CLAIMING NO RESPONSIBILITY OF FAILURE FOR MOTOR BURNING OUT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
8018099
Fuel system
Filed Aug 5, 2002

FUEL LEAKAGES FROM FUEL TANK WHILE VEHICLE PARKED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8015519
Incident
Jul 15, 2002

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