Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 20 | −67% | — | Electrical | Good |
| 1998 | 44 | typical | — | Suspension | Average |
| 1997 | 142 | 4.2× | 1 | Airbag | Avoid |
| 1996 | 12 | −79% | — | Seat Belt | Good |
| 1995 | 96 | 2.5× | 3 | Fuel System | Avoid |
* Complaints compared with the median Tracer year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Mercury Tracer problems
Latest Mercury Tracer recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
On certain passenger vehicles, the integrated air bag monitor (iabm) can be contaminated with water or other liquids and could experience internal electrical shorting.
Remedy: Dealers will install the shield over the iabm and apply nyogel grease to the connector. Owner notification began February 11, 2003.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
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.
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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
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.
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.
Air bags › Frontal
The driver side air bag module can have an inadequately welded inflator canister.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new air bag module.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Mercury Tracer should you avoid?
1997 and 1995 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Tracer years at the same age, led by air bags problems in the 1997.
What is the best year for the Mercury Tracer?
1996 has the fewest complaints compared with other Tracer years at the same age, followed by 1999. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Mercury Tracer problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (62), fuel & propulsion system (47) and engine & cooling (45). Airbag complaints peak in the 1997 model year.
How many recalls has the Mercury Tracer had?
4 recalls across 1995–1999. The model year with the most is 1995. See all Mercury Tracer recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.