1997 Mercury Tracer problems
Owners have filed 181 complaints about the 1997 Mercury Tracer with NHTSA. Air bags account for 27.1% of them — the clear leader, ahead of electrical system at 15.5%.
Complaints181
Crashes19
Fires26
Injuries21
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Air bags 27.1% · 49
Electrical system 15.5% · 28
Engine and engine cooling 12.7% · 23
Service brakes, hydraulic 8.3% · 15
Suspension 6.6% · 12
Tires 5.5% · 10
Unknown or other 5.0% · 9
Visibility 5.0% · 9
Severity
Of those complaints, 19 describe a crash, 26 describe a fire, 21 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 3 model years of the Mercury Tracer in this data, 1997 draws the most complaints of any of them.
Filings have fallen off, 9 in the last three years against 16 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 82,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The vehicle was involved in a low impact frontal collision but the side impact air bags deployed. The driver sustained 4 herniated disc in her neck, because she was hit by the air bag from the side. The consumer called the manufacturer and was told that there was a recall on the air bags, but since she had a problem with her air bags before the recall they would not replace the air bags. *Nlm Air bags
While traveling about 5 mph inside of a parking lot and without prior warning the vehicle shutdown. The consumer had seen smoke coming out of the vents, then the vehicle had caught on fire. *Ak the inspector stated the fire stemmed from a short. *Scc the consumer received a recall regarding the air bag module/sensor. Air bags
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. Air bags · reported at 130,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…