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: 2 of 60 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.
Electrical System. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Seat Belts. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports9 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
60 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 1999
Electrical SystemFuel System, Other
THE CAR FUEL GAUGE FAILED FIRST SOON AFTER PROBLEMS BEGAN TO OCCUR WITH THE CAR INTERMITTENTLY NOT STARTING. AFTER A FEW DAYS THE CAR WOULD NOT START UPON LEAVING FROM MY WORK. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS EVENTUALLY DETERMINED. REMOVAL OF THE REAR SEAT REVEALED THAT THE WIRING TO THE FUEL PUMP WA…
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THE CAR FUEL GAUGE FAILED FIRST SOON AFTER PROBLEMS BEGAN TO OCCUR WITH THE CAR INTERMITTENTLY NOT STARTING. AFTER A FEW DAYS THE CAR WOULD NOT START UPON LEAVING FROM MY WORK. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS EVENTUALLY DETERMINED. REMOVAL OF THE REAR SEAT REVEALED THAT THE WIRING TO THE FUEL PUMP WAS SEVERELY MELTED AWAY. THE POWER WIRES TO THE FUEL PUMP DO NOT APPEAR TO BE THE MAIN PROBLEM HOWEVER, BUT THE SENDING UNIT WIRES HAVE COMPLETELY FAILED AND IN THE PROCESS DESTROYED THE OTHER WIRING AS WELL. THE FUSE TO THE FUEL PUMP HAS NEVER BLOWN WHICH IS THE ORIGIONAL FUSE.
NHTSA ODI #703629
Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 1999
Seat Belts
WHEN GETTING INTO VEHICLE AND TRYING TO USE DRIVER'S SIDE/PASSENGER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELTS, SHOULDER'S BELTS JAM AND CONSUMER CAN'T GET THEM OUT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #835068
Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 1998
Electrical System
CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH BATTERY. WHEN CONSUMER STARTED VEHICLE HEARD A BAN, AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. WHEN SHE LOOKED UNDERNEATH SAW ASHES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #830991
Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 1998
Structure
REAR LIFT GATE SUPPORT FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #780706
Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 1998
Seat Belts
DRIVERS PASSENGER SIDE MOTORBELT MOVING INADVERTANTLY CAUSING DRIVER TO SMELL SMOKE, WIRING HARNESS WAS RECALLED BUT CONSUMER DID NOT RECIEVE RECALL NOTICE THEREFORE WAS DENIED SERVICE.
NHTSA ODI #541382
Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WILL CONTINUOUSLY STALL. THE VEHICLE WILL RESTART MINUTES LATER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #826033
Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 1998
Fuel System, Gasoline
WHILE FORD HAS A SAFETY RECALL LISTED ON YOUR WEB PAGE (NHTSA 92V-117) WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM OR THE REQUIRED FIX. OUR CAR DEVELOPED A SEVERE FUEL LEAK WHICH WE HAD TO HAVE REPAIRED AT OUR EXPENSE. I WILL BE CONTACTING FORD ABOUT THIS MATTER BUT THOUGHT YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT THE DATES ON THE SAFETY RECALL COVER …
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WHILE FORD HAS A SAFETY RECALL LISTED ON YOUR WEB PAGE (NHTSA 92V-117) WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM OR THE REQUIRED FIX. OUR CAR DEVELOPED A SEVERE FUEL LEAK WHICH WE HAD TO HAVE REPAIRED AT OUR EXPENSE. I WILL BE CONTACTING FORD ABOUT THIS MATTER BUT THOUGHT YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT THE DATES ON THE SAFETY RECALL COVER THE PERIOD OF 6/1/91 TO 6/30/91 FOR THE MERCURY TRACER LTS. OUR CAR WAS MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO THIS YET EXHIBITS THE SAME FAILURE. MY FEAR IS THAT FORD'S RECALL IS NOT WIDE SPREAD ENOUGH AND OTHER TRACER OWNERS MAY BE INJURED DUE TO THIS DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA ODI #536869
Mileage unknown · May 27, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
MASTER CYLINDER FAILS AND REPLACED REPEATEDLY THREE TIMES WITHIN 50000 MILES. TT
NHTSA ODI #942875
Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 1998
Electrical System
IGNITION FAILURE. PINS HOLDING THE CYLINDER IN PLACE WERE NOT STABLE. PROBLEMS INCLUDED: STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND KEY WILL NOT TURN, KEY CAN BE REMOVE WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE CAN BE STARTED BY TURNING FACE PLATE OF CYLINDER WITHOUT KEY, SENSOR DOES NOT DETECT KEY HAS BEEN REMOVED AFTER ENGINE IS TURNED OFF, AND PRESENTLY ENGINE …
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IGNITION FAILURE. PINS HOLDING THE CYLINDER IN PLACE WERE NOT STABLE. PROBLEMS INCLUDED: STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND KEY WILL NOT TURN, KEY CAN BE REMOVE WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE CAN BE STARTED BY TURNING FACE PLATE OF CYLINDER WITHOUT KEY, SENSOR DOES NOT DETECT KEY HAS BEEN REMOVED AFTER ENGINE IS TURNED OFF, AND PRESENTLY ENGINE IS LOCKE IN THE ON POSITON AND THE KEY CANNOT TURN ENGINE OFF.
NHTSA ODI #532812
Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 1998
Electrical SystemFire
THE TEMPERATURE GUAGE BEGAN TO RISE, AND SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF DASH VENTS.
THE ROLL PINS SECURING THE IGNITION LOCK IN THE STEERING COLUMN HOUSING CAN SEPARATE OR MOVE OUT OF POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER MAY DISENGAGE FROM THESTEERING COLUMN HOUSING WHICH COULD CAUSE THE STEERING COLUMN TO LOCK UP,RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: IF ONE OR BOTH OF THE ROLL PINS ARE MISSING OR NOT FULLY INSERTED, THE IGNITION LOCK HOUSING WILL BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH THE DOOR-LOCKS AND THE LIFTGATE OR DECK-LID LOCKS SO THAT KEY COMPATIBILITY IS MAINTAINED. IF BOTH PINS ARE PRESENT AND FULLY INSERTED, A PLASTIC SNAP-ON SLEEVE WILL BE INSTALLED AS A PRECAUTION TO PREVENT THE ROLL PINS FROM COMING OUT.
FATIGUE CRACKS CAN DEVELOP IN THE SOLDER JOINT BETWEEN THE FUEL RETURN TUBE AND THE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT LOCATED AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SHOULD A CRACK DEVELOP, FUEL VAPOR CAN ESCAPE FROM THETANK WHEN THE TANK IS FULL, AND A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE CRACK.FUEL LEAKS CAN RESULT IN FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Remedy: INSTALL A NEW FUEL PUMP SENDING ASSEMBLY.
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
EA94002 · Fuel Pump Wiring Shortage
Opened Jan 28, 1994 · Closed Jan 31, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
1991 Mercury Tracer Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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