1991 Mercury Tracer

Defect. THE OFFSET TOE ADJUSTING PIN CAN FRACTURE UNDER CONDITIONS SUCH AS TORSIONAL LOADS, FLEXING MOTION, IMPACT LOADS, AND OVERTORQUING.

Risk. THIS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL ANDAN ACCIDENT.

Remedy. DANA WILL PAY FOR REPLACEMENT AND LABOR COSTS OF THE ADJUSTMENT PIN WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE INSTALLING FACILITY AND THE VEHICLE OWNER. THESE PINS SHOULD BE REPLACED BY A FORD ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT PIN ASSEMBLY. OWNER OR INSTALLER INQUIRIES CONCERNING THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN SHOULD CONTACT DANA SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-248-9606.

Defect. THE ROLL PINS SECURING THE IGNITION LOCK IN THE STEERING COLUMN HOUSING CAN SEPARATE OR MOVE OUT OF POSITION.

Risk. THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER MAY DISENGAGE FROM THESTEERING COLUMN HOUSING WHICH COULD CAUSE THE STEERING COLUMN TO LOCK UP,RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy. IF ONE OR BOTH OF THE ROLL PINS ARE MISSING OR NOT FULLY INSERTED, THE IGNITION LOCK HOUSING WILL BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH THE DOOR-LOCKS AND THE LIFTGATE OR DECK-LID LOCKS SO THAT KEY COMPATIBILITY IS MAINTAINED. IF BOTH PINS ARE PRESENT AND FULLY INSERTED, A PLASTIC SNAP-ON SLEEVE WILL BE INSTALLED AS A PRECAUTION TO PREVENT THE ROLL PINS FROM COMING OUT.

Defect. FATIGUE CRACKS CAN DEVELOP IN THE SOLDER JOINT BETWEEN THE FUEL RETURN TUBE AND THE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT LOCATED AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK.

Risk. SHOULD A CRACK DEVELOP, FUEL VAPOR CAN ESCAPE FROM THETANK WHEN THE TANK IS FULL, AND A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE CRACK.FUEL LEAKS CAN RESULT IN FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Remedy. INSTALL A NEW FUEL PUMP SENDING ASSEMBLY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 MERCURY TRACER. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH FUEL AND PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE CONTACT SMELLED A FUEL ODOR AND NOTICED FUEL LEAKING ONTO THE GARAGE FLOOR. ALL AMERICAN FORD (3306 BRIDGE AVE, POINT PLEASANT, NJ 08742, (732) 451-3582) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD AND THEY DID NOT HAVE PARTS. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO ALL AMERICAN MAZDA (575 BURNT TAVERN RD, BRICK TOWNSHIP, NJ 08724, (732) 451-6848) WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

(1) SHOULDER BELT WOULD NOT MOVE TO DRIVING POSITION, COOLANT FAN WOULD NOT RUN WHEN NEEDED WITH ENGINE RUNNING ONLY WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF, OIL LIGHT STAYED ON AND ALTERNATELY FLASHED WITH THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR. (2) A SHORTING CONNECTOR TO THE FUEL PUMP BURNED THE WIRE BUNDLE TO THE FUEL PUMP IN THE TANK. IT ALSO BURNED WIRES BEHIND THE FUSE BLOCK AND UNDER THE DASH!!! (3) THE CONNECTOR, HARNESS UPDATE, FUEL PUMP/PUMP ASSEMBLY, LOCK RING, WERE REPLACED, BURNED WIRES WERE REPLACED BEHIND THE FUSE BLOCK. THE CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN BECAUSE THERE ARE MORE BURNED WIRES TO REPAIR UNDER THE DASH. UPDATED01/09/06. *JB

I HAD TO REPLACE TWO IGNITION SWITCHES ON MY 1991 MERCURY 1.9 TRACER TO THE TUNE OF $360.00. THE FIRST ONE THEY INSTALLED, THE TUMBLERS FELL APART AFTER ONE DAY, I HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO THE MECHANIC TO INSTALL A SECOND IGNITION SWITCH. I WAS INFORMED THAT FORD HAD A RECALL ON TRACER IGNITION SWITCHES. HOW DO I RECOVER MY EXPENSE? *JB

THERE WAS A FATIGUE FRACTURE IN FUEL TANK AND FUEL WAS LEAKING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL.*AK

CAR WILL NOT REMAIN AT SPEED FOR MORE THAN 25 SECONDS. *AK

VEHICLE WILL LEAK 2 QUARTS OF OIL A WEEK, THERE IS ALSO A STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE OF VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK CONSUMER STATES WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS, THE MUFFLER BANGS AGAINST THE FLOOR, WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS TO GET SOME SPEED, BLACK SMOKE COMES OUT OF EXHAUST PIPE, WHEN FILLING FUEL TANK, FUEL POURS OUT. VALVE COVER IS LEAKING OIL. DASH LIGHTS DID NOT WORK. STRUTS FOR THE TAILGATE DO NOT HOLD THE TAILGATE. THIRD BRAKE LIGHT IS INOPERATIVE, ALSO DIMMER SWITCH WAS REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT, RPM GAUGE DOES NOT WORK. CONSUMER WANTS MANUFACTURER TO TAKE VEHICLE BACK. *JB

CONSUMER SMELLS FUEL INSIDE VEHICLE, THERE IS A RECALL, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED DUE TO VIN. *AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40 MPH ON A MAIN STREET AND CLUTCH PEDAL FELL OFF ON HIS LEG, AND VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL. BUT HE WAS ABLE TO BRING VEHICLE TO COMPLETE STOP. ARM OF CLUTCH WAS VERY SMALL. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS CASE SHOULD INVESTIGATED. *YH

1991 TRACER IS NEARLY IDENTICAL TO 1991 4-DOOR ESCORT AND USES THE SAME ELECTRICAL HARDWARE, PER CHILTON'S MANUALS. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR IGNITION SWITCH FIRES FOR ESCORTS (NHTSA 96V071000) FOR MODELS 8/87 TO 9/92, BUT THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF SUCH A RECALL AND THERE WAS NEVER ONE ISSUED BY MERCURY FOR OUR PARTICULAR MAKE. THE SERVICE REPS IN INDIANA AND ARIZONA APPEARED TO HAVE FAMILIARITY WITH IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS BUT STOPPED SHORT OF OFFERING ANY RECALL COVERAGE FOR THE REPAIR..*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

CONCERNED ONLY ABOUT GAS TANK. DROVE 33 MILES OVER SMOOTH HIGHWAY TO CANAL WHERE I FISH ABOUT EVERY 2 MONTHS,NO SPEED BUMPS, NO POTHOLES, NO BUMPS OR HITS OF ANY KIND. FISHING DOWNWIND FROM CAR SMELLED GASOLINE. FILLED TANK BEFORE LEAVING HOME, WHEN PARKED AT HOME HAD ONLY HALF TANK GAS LEFT, FOUND TANK LEAKING FROM FRONT LEFT MOUNTING BOLT AT RATE OF ABOUT 1 DROP PER SECOND. CAR HAS NEVER BEEN HIT OR BUMPED, ALWAYS KEEP MY CARS 8=10 YEARS, PERFORMING ALL NEEDED MAINTENACE MORE OFTEN THAN MANUAL RECOMMENDS. DRIVING FOR 53 YEARS, 35 OF IT FOR BELL TEL., NO ACCIDENTS EVER. KNOW OF CARS OVER 20 YEARS OLD STILL ON ROAD WITHOUT TANKS LEAKING. FEEL THAT AN IMPLIED WARRANTY SHOULD BE IN EFFECT HERE, THAT I SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT OF EXPECTATION THAT A CAR I BUY NEW AND TAKE 5-STAR CARE OF SHOULD NOT DEVELOP A LEAKING GAS TANK WITHOUT CAUSE.DEALER WANTS $600 FOR NEW TANK, WON'T INSTALL A USED ONE BECAUSE OF "POSSIBLE LEGAL LIABILIY DOWN THE ROAD". YOUR OPINION APPRECIATED. THANK YOU. MEC. *AK

THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE FOR A 1991 MERCURY TRACER, BUT MANUFACTURER WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.

VEHICLE WOULD TURN ON WITHOUT THE KEY BEING IN IGNITION. DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. *AK

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WENT OUT BECAUSE CLUTCH BURNED OUT WHICH CAUSED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. TORQUE CONVERTER HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO ALL THE BUILD UP TRASH FROM THE TRANSMISSION (FAILURE). MJS

THE GAS TANK HAS SEPARATED AT THE SEAM, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.

CAR RUNNING PERFECTLY FINE ON THE HIGHWAY, ALL OF A SUDDEN ENGINE CUT OFF. *AK

I'VE HAD 4 HEATER CORES AND 3 TIMING BELTS REPLACED, THE THIRD JUST AFTER 50,000 MILES. AND NOT WARRANTY COVERAGE BECAUSE IF MILEAGE.

SHOULDER BELT TRACK AND CABLE FAILED, WE ARE HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME GETTING THE PARTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER HAS THE PARTS COMING BY ORDERING THEM FOR A NEWER CAR STILL UNDER WARRANTY. FORD HAS A SHORTAGE OF THESE PARTS AND IS SENDING THEM ONLY FOR WARRANTY REPAIRS. THIS MAKES ME BELIEVE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN A LARGE NUMBER OF FAILING PARTS. WE WAITED TO GET THIS REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST OF THE REPAIR. *AK

AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT ON DRIVER'S SIDE DOES NOT MOVE BACK AND FORTH ON THE RAIL. SHOULDER BELT IS IN CLOSED/BACK POSITION ON THE RAIL. THE DEALER IS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED. YH

THE CAR FUEL GAUGE FAILED FIRST SOON AFTER PROBLEMS BEGAN TO OCCUR WITH THE CAR INTERMITTENTLY NOT STARTING. AFTER A FEW DAYS THE CAR WOULD NOT START UPON LEAVING FROM MY WORK. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS EVENTUALLY DETERMINED. REMOVAL OF THE REAR SEAT REVEALED THAT THE WIRING TO THE FUEL PUMP WAS SEVERELY MELTED AWAY. THE POWER WIRES TO THE FUEL PUMP DO NOT APPEAR TO BE THE MAIN PROBLEM HOWEVER, BUT THE SENDING UNIT WIRES HAVE COMPLETELY FAILED AND IN THE PROCESS DESTROYED THE OTHER WIRING AS WELL. THE FUSE TO THE FUEL PUMP HAS NEVER BLOWN WHICH IS THE ORIGIONAL FUSE.

WHEN GETTING INTO VEHICLE AND TRYING TO USE DRIVER'S SIDE/PASSENGER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELTS, SHOULDER'S BELTS JAM AND CONSUMER CAN'T GET THEM OUT. *AK

CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH BATTERY. WHEN CONSUMER STARTED VEHICLE HEARD A BAN, AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. WHEN SHE LOOKED UNDERNEATH SAW ASHES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

REAR LIFT GATE SUPPORT FAILED.

DRIVERS PASSENGER SIDE MOTORBELT MOVING INADVERTANTLY CAUSING DRIVER TO SMELL SMOKE, WIRING HARNESS WAS RECALLED BUT CONSUMER DID NOT RECIEVE RECALL NOTICE THEREFORE WAS DENIED SERVICE.

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WILL CONTINUOUSLY STALL. THE VEHICLE WILL RESTART MINUTES LATER. *AK

WHILE FORD HAS A SAFETY RECALL LISTED ON YOUR WEB PAGE (NHTSA 92V-117) WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM OR THE REQUIRED FIX. OUR CAR DEVELOPED A SEVERE FUEL LEAK WHICH WE HAD TO HAVE REPAIRED AT OUR EXPENSE. I WILL BE CONTACTING FORD ABOUT THIS MATTER BUT THOUGHT YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT THE DATES ON THE SAFETY RECALL COVER THE PERIOD OF 6/1/91 TO 6/30/91 FOR THE MERCURY TRACER LTS. OUR CAR WAS MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO THIS YET EXHIBITS THE SAME FAILURE. MY FEAR IS THAT FORD'S RECALL IS NOT WIDE SPREAD ENOUGH AND OTHER TRACER OWNERS MAY BE INJURED DUE TO THIS DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY.

MASTER CYLINDER FAILS AND REPLACED REPEATEDLY THREE TIMES WITHIN 50000 MILES. TT

IGNITION FAILURE. PINS HOLDING THE CYLINDER IN PLACE WERE NOT STABLE. PROBLEMS INCLUDED: STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND KEY WILL NOT TURN, KEY CAN BE REMOVE WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE CAN BE STARTED BY TURNING FACE PLATE OF CYLINDER WITHOUT KEY, SENSOR DOES NOT DETECT KEY HAS BEEN REMOVED AFTER ENGINE IS TURNED OFF, AND PRESENTLY ENGINE IS LOCKE IN THE ON POSITON AND THE KEY CANNOT TURN ENGINE OFF.

THE TEMPERATURE GUAGE BEGAN TO RISE, AND SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF DASH VENTS.

VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AFTER BEING DRIVEN APPROX. 200 YDS.

STARTED TO SMELL GAS AND NOTICED FUEL LEAKS COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE DRIVER'S REAR SIDE. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC CALLED MARSTALLER MOTORS. MARSTALLER MOTORS SAID BECAUSE OF THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE THAT THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HONOR THE RECALL. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

THE FUEL PUMP HAD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT, CAUSING THE GAS TO SPILL OVER THE ENGINE, THE WIRING FROM THE GAS TANK WOULD MELT TOGETHER WHICH IT COULD OF CAUSE A FIRE. *AK

DESIGN OF BRAKES CAUSES THEIR COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION TO INCREASE WITH TEMPERATURE. THIS CAUSES PERFORMANCE IN A PANIC STOP FROM HIGH SPEED TO BE ACCEPTABLE. HOWEVER, IF BRAKES ARE AT AMBIENT TEMPERATURE PERFORMANCE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. *AK

OWNER HAS POWER BRAKES, HE STATES THAT HIS BRAKES GET BETTER WHEN THEY ARE HOT. HE WAS TOLD THIS WAS A DESIGN FLAW, ALSO BRAKES DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH POWER TO STOP IN LOW SPEED STOPS. *AK

DRIVING ABOUT 15 MILES W/WARM ENGINE, VEHICLE SUDDENLY, W/O WARNING, DIED ON INTERSTATE, COULD NOT GET VEHICLE TO START, TRIED TO START, NOTHING TURNED OVER, LIGHTS & RADIO STILL WORKING. *AK

AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT WILL NOT OPERATE WHEN TURNING ON THE VEHICLE.

INTERMITTENT STALLING DUE TO A FAULTY ENGINE BLOCK. *AK

INTERMITTENT STALLING. *AK

MOTORIZED SEAT BELT LOCKED UP.

STEERING COLUMN FIRE. *SD

WENT TO THE START THE VEHICLE AND SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM AROUND THE IGNITION SWITCH. HAD TO REPLACE SWITCH AND THE STARTER. *AK

REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE, SLAMMED ON BRAKES, DID NOT STOP VEHICLE. FRONT /REAR SEAT BELTS FAILED, RESULTING IN INJURIES. OTHER VEHICLE FROM 985156. *AK

ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CONSUMER SMELLED A BAD ODOR IN THE VEHICLE (REPLACED THE IGINTION SWITCH). *AK

ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CONSUMER SMELLED WIRING BURNING IN THE VEHICLE. *AK

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. *SD

THE IGNITON STARTED SMOKING. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

WHILE PARKED IN GARAGE, IGNITION SWITCH KEY OUT OF SWITCH; ENGINE KEPT RUNNING, WOULD NOT TURN OFF; BURNED UP/MELTED DOWN STARTER; SMOKE CAME OUT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING, BOLTS IN THE RACK AND PINION FELL OFF CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

STOPPED FOR SCHOOL BUS, BRONCO REAR ENDED VEHICLE AT FULL SPEED, DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE ON IMPACT, VEHICLE WAS AIRBORNE, DRIVER WAS THROWN AGAINST DASHBOARD. *AK