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: 18 of 96 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Seat Belts. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports0 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
96 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 1999
Power Train
HAD A FORD DEALER PERFORM THE 60,000 MILE SERVICE, WHICH INCLUDED CHANGING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILTER. WITHIN 2 WEEKS, THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE / DRIVE WHEN SHIFTED TO THAT GEAR: QUITE A FEW SECONDS WOULD PASS & THEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULD GRAB WITH A BANG. WHEN CHECKED, THE FLUID WAS BLACK A…
Read full complaint
HAD A FORD DEALER PERFORM THE 60,000 MILE SERVICE, WHICH INCLUDED CHANGING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILTER. WITHIN 2 WEEKS, THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE / DRIVE WHEN SHIFTED TO THAT GEAR: QUITE A FEW SECONDS WOULD PASS & THEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULD GRAB WITH A BANG. WHEN CHECKED, THE FLUID WAS BLACK AND SMELLED BURNED. HAD THE FLUID CHANGED AGAIN. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS, WE DEVELOPED FORWARD CLUTCH FAILURE AND HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. PRIOR TO ORIGINAL FORD TRANSMISSION SERVICE AT 60,000 WE HAD NO PROBLEMS OF ANY KIND. HAD DIFFICULTY FINDING A USED TRANSMISSION AS ALL THE USED PARTS DEALERS CAN NOT KEEP THEM IN STOCK - THEY GO OUT FASTER THAN THEY CAN FIND THEM. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A MAJOR DEFECT SUFFERED BY A LOT OF TRACER OWNERS.
NHTSA ODI #711838
Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
FUNNY NOISES WHEN DRIVING DUE TO A HOLE IN CONVERTER. ALSO, BOLT FELL OUT FROM ENGINE, CAUSING ENGINE TO FALL. VEHICLE COMPLETELY STOPPED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH AFTER OIL LEAKED OUT. REPAIRWORK DONE AT OWNERS EXPENSE. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #844270
Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
PULLEY:CRANKSHAFT FELL OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #843956
Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE FUEL TANK IS LEAKING FROM THE CRACKS IN THE WALL. HAD NOTICED THE FUEL LEAKAGE IN DRIVERWAY. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE REPAIR SHOP.
NHTSA ODI #840956
Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE FUEL TANK WOULD BE LEAKING FROM CRACKS IN THE WALL. HAD NOTICE THE FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE AT REPAIR SHOP NOW.
NHTSA ODI #840824
Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 1999
Seat Belts
SEAT BELTS FAILED. NLM
NHTSA ODI #546019
Mileage unknown · May 5, 1999
Seat Belts
CONSUMER GOT INTO VEHICLE AND HEARD A NOISE. THEN HE NOTICED MOTORIZED SEAT BELT WAS STUCK IN FORWARD POSITION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #837479
Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD, CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #836079
Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 1999
Suspension
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE IS SHAKING AND IT FEELS LIKE THE FRONT END IS GETTING READY TO FALL OFF, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO PULL OVER AND KEEP CHECKING FOR THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS FIVE TO SEVEN TIMES, AND DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #834037
Mileage unknown · Dec 31, 1998
Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN VEHICLE IS SLOWING DOWN OR COMING TO A STOP THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY ACCELERATE INTERMITTENTLY WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *AK
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.9L ENGINES, BUILT AT THE HERMOSILLO OR WAYNE ASSEMBLY PLANTS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN NEVADA, FLORIDA, HAWAII, TEXAS, CALIFORNIA, LOUISIANA, GEORGIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, MISSISSIPPI, OKLAHOMA, ALABAMA AND ARKANSAS. 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENTS. THIS WILL NOT AFFECT HEAT SHIELD LOCATION OR FUNCTION, AS THE ATTACHMENTS ARE INTENDED TO KEEP THE SHIELD IN PLACE UNTIL THE FUEL TANK IS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSTALLATION, THE FUEL TANK STRAPS RETAIN THE HEAT SHIELD.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.9L ENGINES, BUILT AT THE HERMOSILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ARIZONA. 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENTS. THIS WILL NOT AFFECT HEAT SHIELD LOCATION OR FUNCTION, AS THE ATTACHMENTS ARE INTENDED TO KEEP THE SHIELD IN PLACE UNTIL THE FUEL TANK IS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSTALLATION, THE FUEL TANK STRAPS RETAIN THE HEAT SHIELD.
THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG MODULE CAN HAVE AN INADEQUATELY WELDED INFLATOR CANISTER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW AIR BAG MODULE.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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