Most common 1997 Mercury Tracer problems
Share of the 142 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 →
1997 Mercury Tracer recalls (1)
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 1997 Mercury Tracer:
Integrated air bag monitor water
Water intrusion into airbag monitor
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…
What 1997 Mercury Tracer owners say
Air bags all 47 →
Two weeks ago my car (a 1997 Mercury Tracer) was involved in an car accident in kingman, (4 hours north west of phoenix). The cause of the accident was the fault of the air bags suddenly deploying without cause, causing extensive damage to my car. I then notified my insurance company and it was towed to a repair shop here in kingman. Later the next day while the repair shop was doing their investigation into the cause, the car burst into flames from the air bag compartment. A couple days later the insurance company notified me that there was a recall from Ford motor company of which I was never notified. Then confirming that to me that my car was in fact totaled, and they wished to remove the car from the repair shop. Earlier last week I sent an email to Ford motors telling of my disgust of the company because I was never notified on such a serious issue. …
While driving down at speed of 65-70 MPH, the car ceased to accelorate. I pulled over to the side of the road, once the car was completely stopped it would no longer crank. Today when I went to clean it out (happened at night)I saw that a hole was burned through the bottom of the passenger side dash board. Also I noticed that there was smoke/fire residue on the windshield coming from the defrost vents. Before any of this happened the airbag ligts were coming on and there was a burnt plastic smell and a scent of ammonia smell coming from god-knows-where. When I looked under the hood everything looked normal. I have been unable to go to work for 2 days now. Please tell me if there is anything that I can do. Thanking you in advance for your assistance.
Electrical system all 22 →
This car is a Ford Mercury Tracer, 1997, VIN #1melm10p2vw6246 there was a smell of burning acid and a small amount of smoke. About two hours later the car burst in flames we lost the entire interior.
While driving, a wire harness fire occurred in the vehicle. Dealer was notified, and a mechanic serviced the problem. However, the consumer has experienced a shortage in wire harness again while the vehicle was parked. Consumer removed the connection to battery to prevent a drainage of the power.
Engine & cooling all 21 →
Tl contact owns a 1997 Mercury Tracer. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost power and the contact pulled to the side of the road. He lifted the hood and noticed flames coming from the engine. He extinguished the fire and had the vehicle towed to a junkyard. The contact later sold the vehicle to the junkyard for $100. The dealer stated that because he no longer owned the vehicle, they could not investigate the failure. The failure and current mileages were 78,000. Updated 04/16/08 updated 04/16/08
Steering, shimmering like the front end was out of line, service engine soon light came on and went off 2 times third time went to dixie and set up to have it check since the light stayed on this time and did not go back off. Seatbelt, will not latch at times I have to keep trying to press in the release button for it to finally lock. At times would come off while driving. Dixie set up an appointment 1 week after I went there to have all of the above checked.date dixie motors looked at car July 24,1998. Keeped car about 7 hrs. Told me they cleaned seatbelt, did not tell me what was wrong with sterring and the only thing fixed was service engine light. On July 30,1998 3 days after bringing my car in to be fix the steering grab to right coming out of curve and seatbelt came off when the car hit a pole. Injuring my arm,neck and lower back. All have healed except my arm. …
1997 Mercury Tracer engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 24 / 34 / 28 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 23 / 31 / 26 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Mercury Tracer a good car?
Based on 142 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 Tracer rates avoid: 4.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the Tracer at the same age. It is one of the Tracer years we suggest avoiding. 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 1997 Mercury Tracer?
The air bags — 47 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the electrical system (22) and engine & cooling (21).
How many recalls does the 1997 Mercury Tracer have?
There is 1 recall for the 1997 Mercury Tracer, the most recent from December 9, 2002 (sensor/control module-inactive). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the 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 1997 Mercury Tracer problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 78,000 miles; 23% 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.