Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 21 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Seat Belts. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
21 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2001
Seat Belts
BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS' RETRACTOR MECHNISM HAVE FAILED-THEY LOCK AT LOW PULL OUT RATE. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER AND FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT (800-392-3673/DUANE). I REPEATLY MENTIONED TO THEM NHTSA'S CAMPAIGN ID NO: 89V085000 BUT BOTH FORD AND MY LOCAL DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT INVOLVED IN …
Read full complaint
BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS' RETRACTOR MECHNISM HAVE FAILED-THEY LOCK AT LOW PULL OUT RATE. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER AND FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT (800-392-3673/DUANE). I REPEATLY MENTIONED TO THEM NHTSA'S CAMPAIGN ID NO: 89V085000 BUT BOTH FORD AND MY LOCAL DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT INVOLVED IN A RECALL AFTER I HAVE GIVEN THEM MY VIN NUMBER AND AFTER THEY SEARCHED THEIR DATA BASE FOR RECALLS. MY CARE WAS MAKE IN JAN, 88 WHICH FALLS INTO THE RIGHT TIME PERIOD AND I HAVE ALWAYS HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY FRONT SEAT BELTS. ONLY RECENTLY DID I SAW NHTSA'S WEB SITE AND FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL THE SEAT BELTS IN MY CAR. I THINK I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE RUN AROUND BY FORD. PLEASE CONTACT FORD FOR ME AS MY CAR IS INOPERABLE NOW WITHOUT FUNCTIONING SEAT BELTS. THANKS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #743574
Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2000
Seat Belts
THIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS AS MENTIONED IN MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 5577, SEAT BELT RETRACTOR LOCKED UP AT LOW BELT PULLOUT RATES, WHICH DISCOURAGED SEAT BELT USE. DEALERSHIP HAS ADVISED CONSUMER THAT THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #864435
Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 1999
Seat Belts
PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #843615
Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 1998
Service Brakes, Air
BRAKE CALIPER SEALS FAILED CAUSING FLUID LOSS AND BRAKE FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #531406
Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling
SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUSED ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #523748
Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 1997
SeatsCrash
VEHICLE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBACK COLLAPSED. CAR WAS TOTALLED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #807590
Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 1996
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
WHILE BACKING UP TO LOAD PERSONS INTO VEHICLE, WITHOUT WARNING, VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND STRUCK A BUILDING, INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED IT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #806266
Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 1996
Seat Belts
FAILURE ON THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS, THE SHOULDER BELTS DO NOT LOCK.*AK
NHTSA ODI #803210
Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 1996
Engine And Engine Cooling
NOSE OF CRANK BROKE.
NHTSA ODI #509245
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 1996
Wheels
LEFT REAR WHEEL CAME OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL.(OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
INCORRECT FUEL FILLER NECK ATTACHMENT SCREWS WERE USED TO ATTACH THE NECK TO THE REAR QUARTER PANELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A RATTLE BETWEEN THE FUELFILLER PIPE AND THE SURROUNDING BODY STRUCTURE.
Remedy: REPLACE INCORRECT SCREWS WITH NEW BOLT/WASHER ASSEMBLIES.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE89037 · Seatbelt Retractor Jams
Opened Jan 30, 1989 · Closed May 25, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:retractor
SUMMARY:INABILITY TO CONVENIENTLY AND QUICKLY DEPLOY AND FASTENSEATBELTS MAY DISCOURAGE POTENTIAL USERS.FAILURE TO PROPERLY USE THESEATBELTS MAY INCREASE THE CHANCE AND/OR SEVERITY OF INJURY IN THEEVENT OF A COLLISION.===
1988 Mercury Tracer Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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