1988 MERCURY TRACER
3 recalls, 22 complaints - 18 TSBs
95V103011 Jun 27, 1995
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Defect Description
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Consequence
THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SUR... Read more
89V085000 May 22, 1989
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
Defect Description
SOME LAP SHOULDER BELT RETRACTORS WERE BUILT WITH CERTAIN OUT OF TOLERANCE COMPONENTS.
Consequence
RETRACTORS MAY LOCK AT LOW BELT PULL OUT RATES, THISCOULD DISCOURAGE SEAT BELT USAGE.
Remedy
REPLACE FRONT LAP SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLIES, AS NECESSARY.
87V092000 Jun 15, 1987
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
Defect Description
INCORRECT FUEL FILLER NECK ATTACHMENT SCREWS WERE USED TO ATTACH THE NECK TO THE REAR QUARTER PANELS.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A RATTLE BETWEEN THE FUELFILLER PIPE AND THE SURROUNDING BODY STRUCTURE.
Remedy
REPLACE INCORRECT SCREWS WITH NEW BOLT/WASHER ASSEMBLIES.
Complaint Statistics
22 total complaints
4 crashes 1 fires 1 injuries
Top Reported Components
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 5 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING | 1 |
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
Apr 19, 2001
Incident date: Mar 5, 2001
BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS' RETRACTOR MECHNISM HAVE FAILED-THEY LOCK AT LOW PULL OUT RATE. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER AND FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT (800-392-3673/DUANE). I REPEATLY MENTIONED TO THEM NHTSA'S CAMPAIGN ID NO: 89V085000 BUT BOTH FORD AND MY LOCAL DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT ... Read more
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
Jun 28, 2000
Incident date: Jan 1, 2000
THIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS AS MENTIONED IN MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 5577, SEAT BELT RETRACTOR LOCKED UP AT LOW BELT PULLOUT RATES, WHICH DISCOURAGED SEAT BELT USE. DEALERSHIP HAS ADVISED CONSUMER THAT THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
Jul 28, 1999
Incident date: Jul 16, 1999
PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:CALIPER
Feb 25, 1998
Incident date: Feb 25, 1998
BRAKE CALIPER SEALS FAILED CAUSING FLUID LOSS AND BRAKE FAILURE.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
Dec 18, 1997
SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUSED ACCIDENT.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
Jan 14, 1997
Incident date: Sep 24, 1994
VEHICLE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBACK COLLAPSED. CAR WAS TOTALLED. *AK
Crash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Dec 12, 1996
WHILE BACKING UP TO LOAD PERSONS INTO VEHICLE, WITHOUT WARNING, VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND STRUCK A BUILDING, INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED IT. *AK
Crash
WHEELS
Nov 6, 1996
Incident date: Aug 25, 1996
LEFT REAR WHEEL CAME OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL.(OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Oct 29, 1996
Incident date: Aug 19, 1996
NOSE OF CRANK BROKE.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
Oct 4, 1996
Incident date: Sep 12, 1995
FAILURE ON THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS, THE SHOULDER BELTS DO NOT LOCK.*AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
Jun 24, 1996
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT TRACTOR WOULDN'T RETRACT, PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
May 29, 1996
THE ACCELERATOR STUCK AND CAUSED CONSUMER TO RUN INTO A TREE, SHE WAS NOT INJURED. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
May 9, 1996
AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSED SMOKE TO COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN, WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
POWER TRAIN
Apr 25, 1996
Incident date: Apr 7, 1995
SPEEDOMETER CABLE BROKE 2 TIMES. *SD
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
Oct 23, 1995
Incident date: Feb 13, 1995
THE SEATBELT WILL NOT RETRACT AND IS STUCK IN ONE POSITION AND CANNOT BE USED. TT WHEN A PASSENGER SITS IN SEAT AND TRIES TO BUCKLE UP THEY CAN HARDLY PUT THE BELT INTO THE HOLDER SMOOTHLY IT IS A CONSTANT BATTLE, THEN WHEN IT FINALLY DOES GO INTO LOWER HALF OF BUCKLE THE PASSENGER IS NOT ALWAYS REL... Read more
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Sep 1, 1995
THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WHEN LOCKED CAME LOOSE . *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Aug 28, 1995
Incident date: Sep 30, 1994
FRONT BRAKE HOSES CRACKING, REPLACE ONE. OTHER ONE CRACKED. TT
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Jul 18, 1995
Incident date: Jul 15, 1995
THE HALOGEN HEADLIGHT BRACKET BROKE AND IT CAUSED THE LIGHT TO FALL UNDER THE BUMPER AND IT CAUSED A FIRE. TT
Fire
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
Jun 20, 1995
Incident date: Mar 8, 1995
CONSUMER SISTER WAS DRIVING CAR AND THE REAR AXLE BROKE AND THE LEFT REAR WHEEL CAME OFF, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT/ROLLOVER. *AK
Crash
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
Jun 9, 1995
Incident date: Mar 8, 1995
THE AXLE BROKE ON THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE REAR WHEEL TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE AND OVERTURN A NUMBER OF TIMES. TT
Crash
1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Jan 25, 1995
Incident date: Jan 22, 1994
CRANK SHAFT BROKE, RESULTED IN STALLING. TT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Jan 25, 1995
Incident date: Dec 16, 1994
REPLACED TIMING BELT. *AK
EPA Fuel Economy, 1988 MERCURY TRACER
| Trim / Engine | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG | Fuel Type | Annual Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic 3-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) | 22.0 | 26.0 | 24.0 | Regular | $2,550 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) | 24.0 | 32.0 | 27.0 | Regular | $2,300 |
CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Compact Cars)
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.
Technical Service Bulletins, 1988 MERCURY TRACER
18 manufacturer communications from 15 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.
Most Affected Components
| Component | Bulletins |
|---|---|
| 034500 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 3 |
| 103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 3 |
| 357100 EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 2 |
| 036000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 1 |
| 114000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | 1 |
| 131000 VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD | 1 |
| 103700 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER | 1 |
| 190000 TIRES | 1 |
01157
Aug 6, 2001
980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER
INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC
0015
Jan 10, 2000
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS
99196
Sep 20, 1999
357100 EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT
9888
Apr 27, 1998
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
INFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC
9852
Apr 13, 1998
190000 TIRES
INFORMATION ON TIRE COMPANY TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. *YC
9864
Mar 30, 1998
063000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
INFORMATION ON A BUZZING OR RATTLE NOISE FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *TT
985A13
Mar 18, 1998
034500 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
THE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE. *YC
9848
Mar 2, 1998
357100 EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
ANNOUNCING THE FORD OEM AIR CONDITIONING RETROFIT KIT AVAILABILITY. *YC
97511
Mar 3, 1997
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID- TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *JD
962612
Dec 16, 1996
103700 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
TRANSAXLE - TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES AND TORQUE CONVERTER/TRANSAXLE COOLING SYSTEM CLEANING PROCEDURES - SERVICE TIP. *TW
96246
Nov 18, 1996
114000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WIRING - ELECTRICAL DIODE IDENTIFICATION AND SERVICE REPLACEMENTS. *TW
96221
Oct 21, 1996
131000 VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WINDSHIELD AND INTERIOR GLASS - FOG/FILM. *TW
95212
Oct 1, 1995
036000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE BECAUSE IT MAY BE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE RUBBER MATERIAL USED IN THE DISC BRAKE SYSTEM. IF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE IS USED TO LUBRICATE ANY PAR
BC2910950401
Apr 1, 1995
011000 STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
UNKNOWN
BC2910950401
Apr 1, 1995
034500 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
UNKNOWN
BC2910950401
Apr 1, 1995
116000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
UNKNOWN
BC2910950401
Apr 1, 1995
138800 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR
UNKNOWN
9562
Mar 1, 1995
034500 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
ROUGHNESS CONCERN DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. *TW
NHTSA Safety Investigations, MERCURY TRACER
Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.
PE89037
Opened: Jan 30, 1989 , Closed: May 25, 1989
SEATBELT RETRACTOR JAMS
SUMMARY:INABILITY TO CONVENIENTLY AND QUICKLY DEPLOY AND FASTENSEATBELTS MAY DISCOURAGE POTENTIAL USERS.FAILURE TO PROPERLY USE THESEATBELTS MAY INCREASE THE CHANCE AND/OR SEVERITY OF INJURY IN THEEVENT OF A COLLISION.===
MERCURY TRACER - All Years Overview
Complete safety history for the MERCURY TRACER across all model years (1987, 2003).
23
Total Recalls
755
Total Complaints
1
Investigations
93
Reported Crashes
61
Reported Fires
4
Reported Deaths
MERCURY TRACER - Year by Year
Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.