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: 26 of 142 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.
Air Bags. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
15 crash reports17 fire reports15 injury reports
What owners actually said
142 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY, THE CAR ENGINE BLEW UP (AT MAXIMUM FREEWAY SPEED) AND AFTER MAKING IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY BLOWN. THERE WAS NO WARNING, NO LIGHT, NO NOTHING- STRANDED THE FAMILY IN MID TRAFFIC DURING RUSH HOUR AT AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SECTION OF FREEWAY- CAR IS 3 YEA…
Read full complaint
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY, THE CAR ENGINE BLEW UP (AT MAXIMUM FREEWAY SPEED) AND AFTER MAKING IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY BLOWN. THERE WAS NO WARNING, NO LIGHT, NO NOTHING- STRANDED THE FAMILY IN MID TRAFFIC DURING RUSH HOUR AT AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SECTION OF FREEWAY- CAR IS 3 YEARS OLD AND SHOULD HAVE WARNED US WITH LIGHTS OR SOMETHING- WE NEED IT REPAIRED. VERY POTENTIAL DANGEROUS SITUATION, HOPEFULLY IT WON'T HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE. FORD NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS PRONTO. OUR WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED BUT THIS SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF AS A SAFETY ISSUE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #749093
Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHY IS THIS DATABASE BEING ELIMINATED, FIRST OF ALL?! I LOVE THIS. CHECK COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON, COOLANT HAD ALL LEAKED WHILE DRIVING, DUE TO FROST PLUG HEATER SEAL FAILURE ON ENGINE CAUSING ALL COOLANT TO LEAK OUT. NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY?! SEEMS THAT THIS IS AN ENGINE SEAL TO ME, FORD DISAGREES.
NHTSA ODI #747958
Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2001
Air BagsCrash
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A 40 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. NO INJURIES. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #891101
Mileage unknown · May 30, 2001
Suspension
BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE RUSTED AND BROKEN NEAR BOTTOM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #746120
Mileage unknown · May 29, 2001
Electrical System
WHILE GETTING OUT OF VEHICLE, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE BATTERY LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED, THE NEXT DAY HE FOUND THAT THE DASH AREA OF THE VEHICLE HAD BURNED AND MELTED SEVERELY, THE ENTIRE DASH AREA AROUND STEERING MELTED, CLAIM 18-0530-895. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #6900508
Mileage unknown · May 19, 2001
Visibility
HOLES EATEN THROUGH HEATER CORE INLET & OUTLET PIPES-LEAKED CAUSING DAMAGE TO AIR BAG MONITOR WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED. NEW MONITOR CAME WITH A SHILED NOT ON THE CAR WHEN I BOUGHT IT. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT NOTIFY ME ABOUT IT. I DID NOT TAKE MY CAR TO HAPER FORD SINCE WHEN I WAS TH…
Read full complaint
HOLES EATEN THROUGH HEATER CORE INLET & OUTLET PIPES-LEAKED CAUSING DAMAGE TO AIR BAG MONITOR WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED. NEW MONITOR CAME WITH A SHILED NOT ON THE CAR WHEN I BOUGHT IT. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT NOTIFY ME ABOUT IT. I DID NOT TAKE MY CAR TO HAPER FORD SINCE WHEN I WAS THERE FOR MY 60 THOUSAND MILE CHECK UP , THEY CHARGED ME TO SERVICE MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND THE CAR I OWN DOES NOT HAVE ONE. I FEEL THE DIDNT SERVICE MY CAR CORRECTLY AT THE TIME. HEATER CORES GOING OUT IN FIVE YEARS, RUINING A REQURIED PART BY THE GOVERNMENT. I FEEL THIS COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN, IT DIDNT JUST HAPPEN IN THE LAST 14,00 MILES AFTER MY WARRENTY EXPIRED. AGAIN I WOULD LIKE TO STRESS THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. THANK YOU TRACY KAUFMAN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #745529
Mileage unknown · May 14, 2001
Visibility
WINDSHIELD SEAL IS SEPARATING. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #888099
Mileage unknown · May 14, 2001
Electrical System
INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT COME OUT OF IGNITION. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #888098
Mileage unknown · May 14, 2001
Electrical SystemFire
CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE AND THEN THE DASH LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, AND PARK LIGHTS WENT OUT, APPEARS PARTIAL FIRE STARTED IN FRONT OF DASH, CLAIM 25-5518-577. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #6900507
Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2001
Tires
SI, P185/65R14, DOT UNKNOWN, REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT WITH 7000 MILES ON A 1997 MERCURY, TRACER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THERE WAS VIBRATION AND A LOUD NOISE. LONG PIECE OF TREAD HAD COME OFF LEFT REAR TIRE. DID MAJOR DAMAGE TO VEHICLE.*AK *JB
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR (IABM) CAN BE CONTAMINATED WITH WATER OR OTHER LIQUIDS AND COULD EXPERIENCE INTERNAL ELECTRICAL SHORTING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
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
2
EA02008 · Water Intrusion Into Airbag Monitor
Opened Jun 10, 2002 · Closed Dec 11, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
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.
PE02010 · Integrated Air Bag Monitor Water
Opened Jan 30, 2002 · Closed Jun 10, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
No summary supplied.
1997 Mercury Tracer Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration