Most common 1996 Mercury Tracer problems
Share of the 12 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercury Tracer complaints by model year
Best Tracer years: 1996, 1999. Years to avoid: 1997, 1995. Compare all years →
What 1996 Mercury Tracer owners say
Seat belts
While driving driving 55 MPH consumer lost control and went into a ditch. Air bags did deploy and explode. Contact dealer, and dealer has not responded. Consumer also stated that seat belt came loose.
Retractor on driver's side locks up, and when door is opened it slides quickly back.
Air bags
While driving driving 55 MPH consumer lost control and went into a ditch. Air bags did deploy and explode. Contact dealer, and dealer has not responded. Consumer also stated that seat belt came loose.
This vehicle rear ended another vehicle at 45 MPH, and forntal air bags did not deploy. Dealer has not been contacted.
1996 Mercury Tracer engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 26 / 35 / 30 |
| 1.9L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 22 / 29 / 25 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 22 / 28 / 24 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 27 / 22 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Mercury Tracer a good car?
Based on 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1996 Tracer rates better than average: 79% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Tracer at the same age. It is one of the best Tracer years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Mercury Tracer?
The seat belts — 4 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year, most often about front › retractor. Next are the air bags (3) and steering (2).
How many recalls does the 1996 Mercury Tracer have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1996 Mercury Tracer. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mercury Tracer?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1996 and 1999. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1997 and 1995. See the full Mercury Tracer years comparison.
At what mileage do 1996 Mercury Tracer problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 60,000 miles; 50% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.