Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Mercury Tracer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Driving on I-20 eastbound. Smelled ammonia, then smelled burnt plastic, airbag light illuminated, check engine light illuminated, interior light flickered off and on, car began to decrease speed despite pressing on the gas pedal. Was able to get car into the emergency lane before it completely stopped moving. Hole burnt into passenger area from underneath dash area. Defrost area warped and burnt, bottom of windshield (glass part) burnt.
02V323000/integrated air bag monitor contamination. This vehicle had been recalled for this defect. The work was done in 2003. Now the problem has resurfaced and the dealer wants the owner to pay 4000.00 to correct the problem that should have been corrected when the recall was originally issued. Provide further details.
The consumer's vehicle hit another vehicle's bumper at an impact of 35 MPH, and neither frontal air bag deployed. The dealer was notified. The consumer was informed that the vehicle had been wrecked before.
The vehicle was involved in a frontal collision, and the air bags failed to deploy. The consumer was injured. Four days after the accident the consumer received a recall letter. Recall# 02V323000 scc
The vehicle was parked in the consumer's driveway when both front air bags deployed. It was later determined that the air bag sensor was destroyed by moisture intrusion into the air bag module and connectors. As a result of the air bag deployment the windshield the windshield shattered and the dashboard was destroyed. Manufacturer was contacted and refused to accept responsibility. The vehicle has not been repaired. The consumer later learned of a recall that was issued for this problem. The consumer was never notified of the recall. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who determined that the intrusion was caused by a pin hole leak in the heater core therefore the vehicle was not covered under the recall. The consumer intends to purse the matter further.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Mercury Tracer. While driving 5 MPH, the air bags deployed without warning. The vehicle was not involved in a crash. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number 02V323000 (air bags:frontal:sensor/control module). The driver sustained bruises to her hands. The vehicle was not towed. The current and failure mileages were 171,437. Updated 01-15-08. Updated
We had taken my vehicle to get it checked by a computer at a local service parts shop. When we came back we stopped my car and it was not running, ignition off. About an hour later we heard a loud noise and its air bags had gone off, breaking my car's windshield and obviously making a mess in my car. This concerns me since my husband and I had just been in the car a while ago and could have caused injury to us without cause.
While driving at 35mph a deer was on the road. Consumer attempted to avoid hitting the deer and lost control of vehicle, and hit a tree. Consumer went to unhook seat belt to get out of the car, and heard vehicle running. Leaned back to cut it off, and seat belt came outof buckle and knocke driver out. Also air back sensor light came on, indicating that air bags were inoperative. Driver suffered injuries, was hospitalized.
Related 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.
NHTSA investigations
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…
Airbag complaints in other Tracer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1997 Mercury Tracer?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Mercury Tracer, 33% of the model year's 142 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Mercury Tracer airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 02V-323 (sensor/control module-inactive, Dec 9, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Mercury Tracer airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 102,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 13 crashes, 8 fires and 13 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.