1995 Mercury Tracer problems

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY TRACER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A LEAK ON THE GROUND AND THE FUEL GAUGE DECREASED FROM A FULL TANK TO HALF OF A TANK. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 97V144000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA complaint #10610276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY TRACER. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN OVERPOWERING FUEL SMELL. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS FRACTURED AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V144000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,600.

NHTSA complaint #10469963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY TRACER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION OR STATIONARY, A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE FUEL EMITTED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS FRACTURED AS A RESULT TO A FAULTY HEAT SHIELD BRACKET. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V144000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STORAGE; TANK ASSEMBLY) BUT THE VEHICLE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR REPAIRS DUE TO THE VEHICLE NOT BEING ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10398756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY TRACER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SINCE THE YEAR 2000, SHE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE EMANATING FROM THE VEHICLE. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE. SHE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL 97V145000, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE STORAGE TANK ASSEMBLY. SHE WAS ADVISED THAT SINCE HER VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL, SHE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA complaint #10285644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

95 TRACER WAGON 9/3/97 THERE WAS A RECALL WITH THE SAME ISSUE I AM NOW HAVING. WE NEVER REC'D ANY NOTIFICATION THERE WAS ANY RECALL. THE FUEL TANK IS LEAKING NEAR THE HEAT SHIELD. A CALL WAS MADE TO STIVERS LAST NIGHT AND WE WERE TOLD NOTHING COULD BE DONE DUE TO THE LENGTH OF YEARS THAT HAD PASSED.BUT WAS TOLD TO CALL FORD MOTOR. A CALL WAS MADE THIS MORNING. WAS TOLD BY FORD MOTOR AT 800-392-3673 THAT MY CAR WAS MADE 1/95 AND THE 64000 THAT WAS RECALLED WERE BETWEEN 4/29/95 AND 10/95. THE CAR HAD BEEN IN FOR PREVIOUS SERVICING AND EVEN THEN NOTHING WAS SAID TO US ABOUT A RECALL. OUR PROBLEM IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS WHAT THE RECALL WAS FOR. AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL MY CAR WAS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD. WE FEEL THAT HEY SHOULD TAKE CARE OF A REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA complaint #10284453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY TRACER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY HESITATED AND LOST ENGINE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER AT A SERVICE STATION AND INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. HE DETECTED THAT THE TIMING BELT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY REPLACED THE WATER PUMP AND SERPENTINE BELT. IN ADDITION, THE NUMBER FOUR PISTON EXPLODED WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY INOPERABLE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,607 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,722.

NHTSA complaint #10277529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY TRACER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT GASOLINE WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE FOUND A FRACTURE IN THE FUEL TANK. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 97V145000 AND 97V144000, ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 116,000.

NHTSA complaint #10274991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL TANK LEAK (STRONG ODOR - NO VISIBLE LEAKAGE) ODOR DETECTABLE IN GARAGE AND OUTSIDE FORD SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL REQUIRED AND WILL NOT CORRECT THE LEAK.

NHTSA complaint #10267937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY TRACER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS GAS TANK WAS LEAKING FUEL. HE PARKED HIS VEHICLE AND A PUDDLE OF GAS LEAKED OUT. CRACKS CAN DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TANK NEAR THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENT, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE IF THE CRACKS GO THROUGH THE FUEL TANK WALL. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V144000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.

NHTSA complaint #10246402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK HAS CRACKED AS DESCRIBED IN THE CAMPAIGN ID 97V144000. PUTTING IN ANYMORE THAN 3 GALLONS OF GAS IN THE TANK CAUSES IT TO LEAK AND HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. UNFORTUNATELY, THE FORD DEALERSHIP STATES THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPAIR THIS UNDER THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY NOT USABLE DUE TO THE LEAKING FUEL AND AT AN ESTIMATED $800 TO REPAIR THIS MANUFACTURERS DEFECT, I AM OUT A VEHICLE FOR AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME. I FEEL THAT IT WAS UNFAIR FOR THIS RECALL NOT TO INCLUDE ALL VEHICLES OF THE SAME GAS TANK DESIGN, WHICH HAS CAUSED THIS FAILURE, TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10238046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY TRACER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE. HE STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 97V144000 AND 97V145000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY) MENTIONED THE SAME FAILURES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 143,300 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,296. UPDATED 09/24/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/30/08.

NHTSA complaint #10237015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY TRACER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT DETECTED A GAS ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER, RECALL # 97V145000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY) DOES NOT APPLY TO HIS VIN. THE CONTACT FELT THAT HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,471.

NHTSA complaint #10194854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

I SMELLED GASOLINE IN MY GARAGE ON TUESDAY JUNE 11. LAYING BETWEEN THE CARS I FOUND SEVERAL STEADY DRIPS FROM THE FUEL TANK. I PUSHED THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE AND TWO DAYS LATER IT HAD LEAKED TO A LEVEL FOR THE LEAK TO STOP. I CONTACTED FORD/MERC. MOTOR CO. ABOUT THE EXISTING RECALL , NOTES:MERCURY TRACER 97S79,FOR THE POTENTIAL UNITS AFFECTED 64000 VEHICLES. EVEN THOUGH I HAD A SERIOUS POTENTIAL FOR A HOUSE FIRE I WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL. I WAS FURTHER TOLD TO GET IT FIXED BY A FOR DEALER AND THEY MAY REVIEW THE DATA IN THE FUTURE. I AM LOOKING FOR IMMEDIATE RELIEF FOR THIS PROBLEM. CAN YOU HELP?

NHTSA complaint #10162426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

THE PLASTIC GAS TANK ON OUR 1995 MERCURY TRACER CRACKED OPEN. THE SHOP THAT WE TOOK IT TO KNEW OF A RECALL BECAUSE HE OWNED ONE PREVIOUSLY THAT WAS RECALLED FOR THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM. OURS IS NOT UNDER THE RECALL, BUT THE CRACK IS IDENTICAL TO WHAT IS IN RECALLS 97V145000 AND 97V144000. THE HEAT SHIELD THAT IS MOUNTED DIRECTLY TO THE GAS TANK, CRACKED THE TANK AND CAUSED WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN A POTENTIAL FIRE IF WE HAD NOT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS GAS LEAKING ONTO THE ROADWAY. THE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE, BUT WE FEEL THAT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED UNDER THE RECALL. IT IS A 1.9L ENGINE AND WAS BUILT IN MEXICO.

NHTSA complaint #10133036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

CONSUMER STATES: FUEL TANK VENT HOSE LEAKS WHEN YOU FILL IT UP, WHEN YOU RUN SO LOW IT QUITS LEAKING ,AND IS ON HIGHWAY.*AK *TT

NHTSA complaint #10120064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 1.9L ENGINE. THE #4 INTAKE VALVE SEAT DROPS, RESULTING IN THE NEED TO COMPLETELY REPLACE THE CYLINDER HEAD AND ALL ASSOCIATED PARTS. IE... VALVE SEATS, PISTON, PISTON RINGS, ROD BEARINGS AS WELL AS HAVING TO CONDUCT PRESSURE TESTS, HONE THE CYLINDERS & A VARIETY OF OTHER TIME & MONEY CONSUMING ITEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10114009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

CONSUMER SMELLED GASOLINE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. A RECALL WAS ISSUED. CALLED THE MERCURY MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT VIN NUMBER DID NOT MATCH THE RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10081694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

CONSUMER NOTICED LIQUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A CRACK INSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK.

NHTSA complaint #10079753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

DEALER DETERMINED THAT A CRACK AT THE SHIELD BRACKET CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE FUEL TANK. RECALL 97V144000 CONCERNING FUEL TANK WAS ISSUED; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL DUE TO VIN.

NHTSA complaint #10048764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

HEAT SHIELD ATTATCHMENT IS CRACKED, RESULTING IN GASOLINE LEAK.

NHTSA complaint #10030353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

NHTSA RECALL 97-V-144-000 :VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.9L ENGINES, BUILT AT THE HERMOSILLO OR WAYNE ASSEMBLY PLANTS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR IS CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CRACKS CAN DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TANK NEAR THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENT, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE IF THE CRACKS GO THROUGH THE FUEL TANK WALL. THE CONSUMER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED DUE TO THE VIN. *AK THERE WERE CRACKS AND LEAKS IN THE FUEL LINE AT THE HEAT SHIELD MOUNT. THE TANK WAS REPLACED. *SCC *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10029742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

FUEL TANK IS LEAKING, CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD CATCH ON FIRE. DEALER NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #10027128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

WHEN BRAKING AT LOW SPEEDS (UNDER 35 MPH), CALIPER SLIDES ARE STICKING. YOU CAN HEAR A KNOCKING NOISE AND FEEL THEM GRABBING THROUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CALIPER SLIDES WERE ORIGINALLY REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND IT SEEMED TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. APPROX. 1 YEAR LATER THE SAME THING STARTED. THE CALIPER SLIDES WERE THEN GREASED AND THIS SEEMED TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM UNTIL APPROX. 1 MORE YEAR LATER. THE CALIPER SLIDES WERE STICKING AGAIN, MAKING CLUNKING NOISES WHEN YOU BRAKE. I WAS TOLD THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT REQUIRE REGULAR MAINTENANCE. I WANT TO KNOW WHY THIS IS STILL HAPPENING TO THE CALIPER SLIDES AND WHY THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON THIS IF THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE CORRECTED. *PH *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**749080

NHTSA complaint #10006922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

MY DATES/ MILEAGE ARE NOT ACCURATE, BUT INFO OTHERWISE IS CORRECT. DO I NEED ACCIDENT REPORT FOR AIR BAG DATE? I AM SCARRED FROM THE GAS AND THE AIRBAG SEAM THAT RIPPED MY WRISTS OPEN FROM THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE BAGS DURING THIS ACCIDENT. I WAS QUITE INFECTED. ALSO, MY GAS TANK CRACKED A FEW YEARS AGO AND MY EX-BEAU USED BOAT PUTTY FOR PLASTIC BOAT GAS TANKS TO FIX IT UNTIL I COULD HANDLE IT. IT HELD WELL UNTIL NOW AND HAS CRACKED FURTHER IN THE SAME AREA. PUTTY IS NOT HOLDING ANY LONGER. I WAS JUST ABOUT TO REPLACE THE TANK RECENTLY WHEN I HEARD ABOUT THE RECALL. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF I AM STILL ELIGIBLE FOR A REPLACEMENT TANK PER THE RECALL OF 1997 AND FOR REPLACEMENT AIR BAGS. AFTER MY ACCIDENT I DID HAVE MY CAR REPAIRED BUT WONDER IF THE SAME YR AND MODEL OF AIRBAG MAY BE INSTALLED. PLEASE ADVISE ASAP. I NEED TO HANDLE MY AIR BAGS & TANK AS I CAN PUT LESS THAN $7 IN GAS AT A TIME OR IT LEAKS AND EATS ASPHALT AWAY ON THE STREET AND IN PARKING SPACES. THE SMELL AND DANGER IS AT A HIGH LEVEL. PLEASE RESPOND QUICKLY.THANKS AGAIN. DT

NHTSA complaint #769469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

MY DATES/ MILEAGE ARE NOT ACCURATE, BUT INFO OTHERWISE IS CORRECT. DO I NEED ACCIDENT REPORT FOR AIR BAG DATE? I AM SCARRED FROM THE GAS AND THE AIRBAG SEAM THAT RIPPED MY WRISTS OPEN FROM THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE BAGS DURING THIS ACCIDENT. I WAS QUITE INFECTED. ALSO, MY GAS TANK CRACKED A FEW YEARS AGO AND MY EX-BEAU USED BOAT PUTTY FOR PLASTIC BOAT GAS TANKS TO FIX IT UNTIL I COULD HANDLE IT. IT HELD WELL UNTIL NOW AND HAS CRACKED FURTHER IN THE SAME AREA. PUTTY IS NOT HOLDING ANY LONGER. I WAS JUST ABOUT TO REPLACE THE TANK RECENTLY WHEN I HEARD ABOUT THE RECALL. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF I AM STILL ELIGIBLE FOR A REPLACEMENT TANK PER THE RECALL OF 1997 AND FOR REPLACEMENT AIR BAGS. AFTER MY ACCIDENT I DID HAVE MY CAR REPAIRED BUT WONDER IF THE SAME YR AND MODEL OF AIRBAG MAY BE INSTALLED. PLEASE ADVISE ASAP. I NEED TO HANDLE MY AIR BAGS & TANK AS I CAN PUT LESS THAN $7 IN GAS AT A TIME OR IT LEAKS AND EATS ASPHALT AWAY ON THE STREET AND IN PARKING SPACES. THE SMELL AND DANGER IS AT A HIGH LEVEL. PLEASE RESPOND QUICKLY.THANKS AGAIN. DT

NHTSA complaint #769469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.