1992 Mercury Tracer

Routine

Owners filed 24 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the fuel system, gasoline › storage › tank assembly. It has been recalled 2 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Seat Belts2
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly2
000
Electrical System › Ignition2
000
Vehicle Speed Control1
000
Tires › Tread/Belt1
000
Tires1
100
Suspension › Rear1
001
Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly1
000
Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System1
000
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor1
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Suspension › Front94E019000
Filed Jun 2, 1994919 vehiclesDana Corporation

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.

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch92V103000
Filed Jul 13, 199243,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. THE STOP LAMP SWITCHES COULD INTERMITTENTLY MALFUNCTION RESULTING IN THE STOP LAMPS NOT ILLUMINATING WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED.

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN FOLLOWING MOTORISTS NOT BEINGSIGNALED THAT THE VEHICLE IS BRAKING, AND COULD RESULT IN A COLLISION.

Remedy. REPLACE THE FAULTY STOP LAMP SWITCHES.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 22, 2020298,000 milesAZ

AFTER 27 YEARS THE RUBBER FUEL FILLER PIPE ON THE CAR CRACKED AND BEGAN LEAKING FUEL. THE FUEL FILLER PIPE WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW FUEL FILLER PIPE FROM FORD MOTORCRAFT, PART #KFL-22, FOCZ-9324-AA. THE NEW FUEL FILLER PIPE LASTED ONLY 6 MONTHS BEFORE CRACKING AND SPILLING GAS ON MY DRIVEWAY CREATING A HAZARDOUS SITUATION. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED WITH A NEW THIRD PARTY [NOT FORD] FUEL FILLER PIPE. I'M BRINGING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION BECAUSE NUMEROUS AUTO REPAIR WEB SITES HAVE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING DEFECTIVE REPLACEMENT FORD FUEL FILLER PIPES [ALL FORD MODELS]. FUEL FILLER PIPES SHOULD LAST MORE THEN 6 MONTHS. FORD'S REPLACEMENT FUEL FILLER PIPES ARE DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR REPLACEMENT BY FORD TO PREVENT A VERY HAZARDOUS SITUATION SHOULD A VEHICLE BE PARKED IN A GARAGE, I.E., NEAR A WATER HEATER OR OTHER IGNITION SOURCE, CREATING A LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION. THE LEAK FROM THE FUEL FILLER PIPE OCCURS WHETHER OR NOT THE VEHICLE IS PARKED OR MOVING WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS MORE THEN 3/4'S FULL. THE PIPE DETERIORATES FROM THE OUTSIDE WITH CRACKS RUNNING THE LENGTH OF THE PIPE. THE NYLON WEBBING ON THE INSIDE OF THE PIPE DOES NOT PREVENT IT FROM LEAKING. THE ATTACHED PHOTO SHOWS THE DEFECTIVE PIPE, BUT THE HUNDREDS OF HAIRLINE CRACKS IN THE PIPE CANNOT BE SEEN IN THE PHOTO BECAUSE OF PHOTO RESOLUTION. THE PIPE HAS ONLY BEEN IN USE ON THE CAR FOR JUST SIX MONTHS. I USE 91 OCTANE GASOLINE IN THE CAR. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Oct 31, 200380,000 milesTX

ON MY DAUGHTERS 1992 MERCURY TRACER, THE IGNITION SWITCH ENGAGED THE ENGINE STARTER AND BEGAN SMOKING WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND WHEN NO-ONE WAS IN THE CAR. I AM NOW FACED WITH $800.00 IN REPAIR BILLS FOR A DEFECTIVE FORD MOTOR COMPANY PART THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. *LA

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Feb 1, 2001WA

TREAD SEPARATION DISCOVERED ACCIDENTALLY PER INSPECTION FOR DRIVEABIITY CONCERN. *AK (DOT NUMBER: W2R4 TIRESIZE: P195/60R14)

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel PumpFire
Filed Dec 14, 2000IA

FUEL PUMP FAILED RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE CAR. NLM

Seat Belts › Front › AnchorageCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 4, 2000TX

THE SHOULDER HARNESS PULLED FROM TRACK ON IMPACT , THE DRIVER'S HEAD STRUCK THE WINDSHEILD AND RECEVIED CONTUSIONS TO NECK AND HEAD FROM THE LOOSE END OF THE HARNESS

Electrical System › Starter AssemblyFire
Filed Jun 15, 2000NY

STARTER SHORTED OUT, CAUSING A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Crankcase (pcv)
Filed Jun 11, 1999AE

EXHAUST VALVE BROKE EVERY YEAR, CAUSING REAR END TO OVERHEAT AND BURN THE TRUNK. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 12, 1999IL

THREE OCCASIONS OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 6, 1999TX

TRANSMISSION FAILED TO ENGAGE INTO APPROPIATE GEAR AND "SLIPPED" INTO NEUTRAL ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Oct 26, 1998CA

THERE WAS A GAS SMELL AROUND THE CAR AND IN THE GARAGE, DEALER CONTACTED AND STATED A HOLE FOUND IN THE GAS TANK. REPAIR WORK DONE AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. *AK

Seat Belts
Filed Oct 16, 1998CA

INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING THE ELECTRIC SHOULDER STRAP MOVES UP AND DOWN CONSTANTLY . ALSO GETS STUCK AND RELEASES AND REPAIRS ISELF. NOW, SHOULDER STRAP MAKES WEIRD NOISES AND IS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Mar 23, 1998UT

SEAT BELT HARNESS DOES NOT SLIDE ON TRACK. LEFT FRONT IS FROZEN 1/2 WAY IN POSITION. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Back Up Lights
Filed Jun 12, 1997NC

THE BULB OF THE REAR MOUNTED BRAKE LIGHT MELTED THE ASSEMBLY , CAUSING SMOKE INSIDE VEHICLE.

Seat Belts
Filed May 28, 1997ID

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT JAMMED HALF WAY IN THE RETRACTOR. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPAIRED. *AK

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Aug 30, 1996IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHORT CAUSED VEHICLE FIRE.

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v BatteryFire
Filed Jul 31, 1996IL

WHILE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY BATTERY HAD A SHORT WHICH RESULTED IN FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed May 6, 1996CA

DIFFICULTY IN STARTING THE VEHICLE MAKES A GRINDING NOISE. ONCE STARTED CREATED AN INABILITY TO SHUT OFF THE IGINITION.

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Apr 30, 1996FL

IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE, SWITCH WOULD NOT TURN, SMOKE FROM ENGINE, REPLACE LOCK AND SWITCH, STARTER BURNED OUT. *AK

Suspension › Rear1 injured
Filed Oct 26, 1995CA

REAR MISALIGNED, CAUSING INCREASING NEED TO HOLD STEERING WHEEL TO MAINTAIN STRAIGHT TRACKING DIRECTION/ REAR TIRE WEAR. *AK

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed Sep 29, 1995AL

POWER STEERING HAS BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER; MAKES SQUEAKING NOISE WHILE MAKING TURNS, AT ANY TIME WHEN TURNING WHEELS; MOSTLY, HAPPENS AT LOW SPEEDS. TT

20 of 24 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1997
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20030100Routine
20020100Routine
20010100Routine
20002100Routine
199920120Routine
199844110Routine
19971422171Fatalities reported
199612000Routine
199596300Routine
199466150Routine
199362133Fatalities reported
1992 — this page24250Routine
199160390Routine
19902010Routine

Compare every Tracer year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jun 2, 1994. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.