RoadVitals

1997 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.
142
Latest Oct 11, 2010
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.
2
Latest Jul 12, 2004
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.
2
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.
32
17 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 142 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Mercury Tracer, most frequently naming the airbags, engine and electrical categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 143 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

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

2 campaigns 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
04E048000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT

Jul 12, 2004
388 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN TRW DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS MANUFACTURED ON DECEMBER 6 AND 9, 2002, FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 1997 FORD ESCORT 4-DOOR AND STATION WAGON PLATFORM VEHICLES, FORD'S P/N F7CZ54611B09AAC. THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES EXHIBIT A NO-LOCK CONDITION WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT, WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
The remedy: TRW WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS WHO PURCHASED THE REPLACEMENT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 27, 2004.
TRW OCCUPANT SAFETY SYSTEMSView on NHTSA.gov
02V323000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

Dec 9, 2002
396,217 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR (IABM) CAN BE CONTAMINATED WITH WATER OR OTHER LIQUIDS AND COULD EXPERIENCE INTERNAL ELECTRICAL SHORTING.
The risk: THIS MAY, IN TURN, CAUSE THE AIR BAG READINESS LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND IN VERY RARE OCCURRENCES, AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, MELTED WIRING, OR FIRE MAY OCCUR.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE SHIELD OVER THE IABM AND APPLY NYOGEL GREASE TO THE CONNECTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 11, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 02S44View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA02008ClosedEngineering Analysis

WATER INTRUSION INTO AIRBAG MONITOR

Opened Jun 10, 2002
Closed Dec 11, 2002

BY LETTER OF DECEMBER 6, 2002, FORD NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL ON ALL 1997 FORD ESCORT AND MERCURY TRACER VEHICLES.FORD FOUND THAT ELECTRICAL SHORTING OF THE INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR (IABM)DUE TO LIQUID INTRUSION OF WATER OR ENGINE COOLANT CAN OCCUR IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.FORD AND LINCOLN MERCURY DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE SHIELD OVER THE IABM AND APPLY NYOGEL GREASE TO IT'S ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR.SEE FORD'S DECEMBER 6, 2002 DEFECT AND NONCOMPLIANCE INFORMATION REPORT FOR DETAILS.

AIR BAGSLed to recall 02V323000
PE02010ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR WATER

Opened Jan 30, 2002
Closed Jun 10, 2002
AIR BAGS

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 142
Suspension
Filed Oct 11, 2010

1997 MERCURY TRACER TRIO VIN [XXX] MY WIFE AND I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM WANTED AUTO SALES IN WORLEY IDAHO. MY WE HAVE A ONE YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. WE HEARD A NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR. MY WIFE THOUGHT WE WERE BOTTOMING OUT. I CAME TO DISCOVER THAT BOTH REAR FACTORY STRUTS THE COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE STRUT HOUSING. IT LOOKS LIKE THE METAL HAS JUST FRACTURED AND FAILED. THE COILS MATERIAL MUST BE DEFECTIVE AND NOT UP TO SPECS FROM FORD THIS IS CLEARLY A FORD DEFECT. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN FOR US WITH A ONE YEAR OLD IN THE CAR. WE ARE NOT HAPPY IF THIS COULD COST THE DEATH OF A CHILD BECAUSE OF A UNSAFE CONDITION. THE CAR IS NOT NEW BUT THE SPRINGS SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR NOT BREAK LIKE THIS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR

NHTSA ID
10359948
Incident
Oct 10, 2010
Mileage
181,675 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 19, 2010

WE HAD TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO GET IT CHECKED BY A COMPUTER AT A LOCAL SERVICE PARTS SHOP. WHEN WE CAME BACK WE STOPPED MY CAR AND IT WAS NOT RUNNING, IGNITION OFF. ABOUT AN HOUR LATER WE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND ITS AIR BAGS HAD GONE OFF, BREAKING MY CAR'S WINDSHIELD AND OBVIOUSLY MAKING A MESS IN MY CAR. THIS CONCERNS ME SINCE MY HUSBAND AND I HAD JUST BEEN IN THE CAR A WHILE AGO AND COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURY TO US WITHOUT CAUSE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10344024
Incident
Jun 25, 2010
Mileage
130,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 22, 2010

WHILE DRIVING FELT SEVERE VIBRATION AND LOUD NOISE AT ALL SPEEDS AND CAR PULLING TO THE RIGHT HARD. VIBRATION BECAME WORSE ABOUT 8 MILES LATER, CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND ALMOST RAN OFF THE ROAD. THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. PULLED OVER, PUT THE SPARE ON. PEP BOYS REPLACED BOTH FRONT TIRES, THE OTHER TIRE HAD TREAD FAILURE ALSO. PEP BOYS REFUSED TO GIVE ME THE DEFECTIVE TIRES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10339479
Incident
Jun 19, 2010
Mileage
69,093 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 18, 2008
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY TRACER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE CONTACT PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE LIFTED THE HOOD AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE. HE EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A JUNKYARD. THE CONTACT LATER SOLD THE VEHICLE TO THE JUNKYARD FOR $100. THE DEALER STATED THAT BECAUSE HE NO LONGER OWNED THE VEHICLE, THEY COULD NOT INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 78,000. UPDATED 04/16/08 *BF UPDATED 04/16/08 *TR

NHTSA ID
10221547
Incident
Nov 10, 2004
Mileage
78,000 mi
BrakesHeating & air conditioningEngine+1 more
Filed Nov 7, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY TRACER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE INTO THE MEDIAN TO AVOID ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND THE CYLINDER HEAD WAS BLOWN. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THEY STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. . THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD IN THE ENGINE FAILED AND CAUSED HER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND THE WARRANTY COMPANY STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO HONOR THE WARRANTY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE WARRANTY INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE FAILURE ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. ON OCTOBER 8, 2007, THE CONTACT DROVE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING COOLANT. AFTER THREE HOURS OF INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS STILL UNDETERMINED. THE DEALER ADVISED HER TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK IN A FEW DAYS. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN LOSING SPEED AND THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THROUGH ANOTHER COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE WARRANTY COMPANY, BUT THEY REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR WORK. THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THIS WAS BECAUSE SHE REPORTED THE DEALER TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 91,698. THE FUEL GAUGE WAS INOPERATIVE. THE AC DID NOT BLOW OUT COLD AIR, THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 12/12/07

NHTSA ID
10208138
Incident
Oct 8, 2007
Mileage
91,698 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 31, 2007
1 injury reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY TRACER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 02V323000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE). THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISES TO HER HANDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 171,437. UPDATED 01-15-08. *KB UPDATED *JB

NHTSA ID
10201339
Incident
Aug 30, 2007
Mileage
171,437 mi
Interior & seats
Filed May 10, 2006
Fire reported2 injuries reported

THIS CAR IS A FORD MERCURY TRACER, 1997, VIN #1MELM10P2VW6246 THERE WAS A SMELL OF BURNING ACID AND A SMALL AMOUNT OF SMOKE. ABOUT TWO HOURS LATER THE CAR BURST IN FLAMES WE LOST THE ENTIRE INTERIOR. *JB

NHTSA ID
10157162
Incident
Feb 10, 2006
Mileage
19,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Feb 28, 2006

1-CAR SEEMED TO BOTTOM OUT IN THE REAR WHEN 4 OCCUPANTS WERE IN CAR, ALSO SCRAPING NOISE. 2-CHECKED CAR AND FOUND CONTACT-COIL SPRINGS RUBBING AGAINST CAR, APPEARED TO BE OUT OF THE HOLDER. CHECKED AND FOUND BOTH REAR SPRINGS BROKEN. SPRINGS PROVIDE VEHICLE STABILITY, CONTROL AND HANDLING. 3-REPLACED BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS, I HAVE BOTH OLD SPRINGS. INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLATION OF NEW SPRINGS HAVE THE SPRINGS INSTALLED 180 DEGREES FROM THE POSITION OF THE OLD SPRINGS. TIGHT COILS UP, OEM WAS TIGHT COILS DOWN. *NM

NHTSA ID
10151381
Incident
Feb 27, 2006
Mileage
139,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

042107

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT

04217

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

GENERAL POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT

04V09

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC. IS RECALLING CERTAIN SERVICE REPLACEMENT SEATBELT RETRACTORS (DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT RETRACTOR IN GRAY) MANUFACTURED IN DECEMBER 2002 AND SOLD AS A SERVICE REPLACEMENT PART BETWEEN DECEMBER 2002 AND JULY 2004. *TT

03203

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P0442, P0455, P0456, P0457 OR P1442 OR A CHECK FUEL CAP LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DTC P0457 FOR THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM. *TT

03181

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT

031515

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

IDLE VIBRATION ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.0L SPI OR ZETEC ENGINE ONLY. *TT

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
1997Viewing1422262.7
1996120044.3
1995963152.8
1994651053.1
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.