67 of the
754 complaints filed about the Mercury Tracer
are about the braking system —
9% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1997.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1993 MERCURY TRACER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE THREE INJURIES REPORTED THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. MAILED 10/16/14*LJUPDATED 11/13/14*LJ UPDATED 4/29/2015
NHTSA complaint #10633490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCURY TRACER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE CONTACT STRUCK A POLE HEAD ON. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKES WERE FAULTY AND HAD BEEN REPAIRED PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 94V218000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT THE DEALER AND THEY ARE CHARGING $300 JUST TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND $5,400 FOR THE REPAIR. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 67,000.
NHTSA complaint #10254268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY TRACER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE INTO THE MEDIAN TO AVOID ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND THE CYLINDER HEAD WAS BLOWN. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THEY STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. . THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD IN THE ENGINE FAILED AND CAUSED HER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND THE WARRANTY COMPANY STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO HONOR THE WARRANTY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE WARRANTY INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE FAILURE ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. ON OCTOBER 8, 2007, THE CONTACT DROVE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING COOLANT. AFTER THREE HOURS OF INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS STILL UNDETERMINED. THE DEALER ADVISED HER TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK IN A FEW DAYS. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN LOSING SPEED AND THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THROUGH ANOTHER COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE WARRANTY COMPANY, BUT THEY REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR WORK. THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THIS WAS BECAUSE SHE REPORTED THE DEALER TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 91,698. THE FUEL GAUGE WAS INOPERATIVE. THE AC DID NOT BLOW OUT COLD AIR, THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 12/12/07
NHTSA complaint #10208138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WE BOUGHT A 1999 MERCURY TRACER USED CAR ON 04/2000, LATER THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED VIBRATING BADLY, THIS VIBRATION CAN BE FELT THRU OUT THE CAR. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIR 8 TIMES. THE SERVICE MANAGER NOW SAYS THAT THIS VIBRATION IS NORMAL. WHEN WE TOOK IT BACK SAT IN THE CAR AND SAID THAT HE WOULD NOT DRIVE THAT CAR VIBRATING LIKE THAT AND HE WOULD NOT EXPECT US TO. . I ASKED IF IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, HE SAID HE COULD NOT ANSWER THAT. MY CONCERN IS, WITH THIS SEVERE VIBRATION IS THE STEERING COLUMN GOING TO DISCONNECT OR LOCKUP AND CAUSE SEVERE BODILY HARM. IF THIS PROBLEM IS "NORMAL" THEN WHY ISN'T THE CONSUMER WARNED ABOUT THIS IN THEIR ADVERTISEMENTS.FROM READING OTHER NHTSA REPORTS I SEE THAT OTHER INDIVIDUALS HAVE HAD STEERING PROBLEMS DUE TO LOCKUP AND BREAKAGE AFTER REPORTING UNUSUAL VIBRATIONS IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND ENGINE. THA LAST MONTH MY CAR BROKE DOWN COMPLETED. I TOOK TO THE MIDAS AND THE MANAGER SAID ME THE WAS ALL MOTOR MOUNTS AND TWO FRONT AXXELS, THEN I FIXED DID HE TOLD ME IT WAS EVERITHING. AND THEN I TOOKED BECAUSE I'M STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM THEN I TOOKED BACK TO MIDAS THEY CHECKED FOR THE FOUR TIME THEN HE TOLD ME THE WAS THE TRASMISSION PROBLEM. I'M STIIL HAVE A PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10028971 — 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.
THIS CAR HAS BEEN TOO DANGEROUS AND UNRELIABLE TO DRIVE SAFELY..IT WAS SOLD WITH 15% BRAKES LEFT AFTER I WAS TOLD THAT IT HAD NEW BRAKES AND CALIPERS, A COMPLETE SAFETY CHECK BY JOE KERLEY JEEP EAGLE...SOME ONE HAD PUT SILOCONE ON A BROKEN FUEL PUMP THAT CAUSED FUMES AND COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF GASOLINE TO FILL UNDER THE BACK SEAT....THE CLUTCH BLEW UP WITHOUT ANY NOTICE....THE AIR BAG HAS NEVER DEPLOYED EVEN WHEN I HAD A SPIN OUT ON HIGHWAY 101...I TOLD MR BROOKS ABOUT THE GAS PROBLEM AND HE SAID HE WAS TOO BUSY TO DEAL WITH IT....I HAVE SPENT OVER 3,000$ IN MAJOR REPAIRS AND HAVE NOT EVEN PUT 20000 MILES IN ALMOST 3 YEARS...THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP..BELINDA ANNE BROOKS. NLM
NHTSA complaint #767135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP WITH A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE. (THE CONSUMER'S FOOT WOULD BE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL) THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE HAS ALMOST HAD ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS. *SLC *SCC
NHTSA complaint #565386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO DEALER TWICE. THE SECOND TIME THE DEALER CHARGED $300 FOR BRAKE REPAIR. VEHICLE IS NOW AT ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP FOR SAME PROBLEM, INCLUDING AXLE DAMAGE.
NHTSA complaint #741348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
MANY TIMES CAR IN SHOP FOR SQUEALING STEERING WHEEL NOISE WHEN TURNING A FAR RIGHT, RATTLING NOISE, GRINDING NOISE FROM ENGINE, RALLTING NOISE FROM DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR JAM, GAS-PIL/EXHAUST SMELL COMING THRU WHEN AC/DEFROST ON, BRAKES SQUEALING EVEN AFTER NEW BRAKE PADS, MANY TIMES I WAS TOLD THAT SOMETHING MAYBE COMING LOOSE THAT I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL IT BREAKS BEFORE THEY CAN FIX IT. JUST RECENTLY AS OF 2-6-01 FORD FACTORY GUY TOLD ME I WAS IMAGINING THINGS. HE ALONG WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THERE ISN'T A PROBLEM, AND WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL IT BREAKS BEFORE THEY CAN FIX. WARRANTY EXPIRES APRIL 6, 2001. I CAN'T AFFORD TO WAIT UNTIL SOMETHING BREAKS, THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. SOMETIMES THE RATTLING NOISE ISN'T CONSTANT, OR VERY LOUD, BUT SOMETIMES IT IS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING THAT THEY CAN'T HEAR IT. MAYBE BEING AROUND ENGINES ALL THE TIME IT HAS AFFECTED THEIR HEARING. I DO KNOW THAT I AM NOT IMAGINING THINGS. JUST YESTERDAY THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHILE IN PARK, IT TOOK ME SEVERAL MINUTES TRYING TO MOVE TO THE STEERING WHEEL SO THAT I COULD TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THIS ISN'T CONSTANT BUT OCCASIONALLY, IT DOES HAPPEN HOWEVER. DURING OUR SUMMER, WITH TRIPLE DIGIT HEAT AND HEAT INDEX, KEY IN IGNITION GOT SO HOT THAT I BURNT MY HAND, THERE WAS ALSO A BURNING RUBBER SMELL. NO DEALER/REPAIR SHOPS WERE OPEN ON A SATURDAY, THE ONE PLACE I ATTEMPTED TO TAKE THE CAR TOO (FORD'S QUALITY CONTROL SHOP) TOLD ME THAT SINCE ITS UNDER WARRANTY, & THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN WORKING ON IT TO TAKE IT BACK THERE. WHICH I DID A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, OF COURSE THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS ALOT COOLER, SO THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. JUST RECENTLY I NOTICED DIFFERENCES IN THE TRANSMISSION. CAR NOT ALWAYS MOVING WHEN PRESS ON GAS PEDAL, SOMETIMES A JERKING MOTION WHEN SHIFT FROM PARK INTO REVERSE. A CRACKING SOUND FRONT DRIVERSIDE TIRE, I MADE A HARD LEFT TURN TO GET OUT OF PARKING SPOT. FORD DISPUTE BOARD CONTACTED
NHTSA complaint #741050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
MANY TIMES CAR IN SHOP FOR SQUEALING STEERING WHEEL NOISE WHEN TURNING A FAR RIGHT, RATTLING NOISE, GRINDING NOISE FROM ENGINE, RALLTING NOISE FROM DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR JAM, GAS-PIL/EXHAUST SMELL COMING THRU WHEN AC/DEFROST ON, BRAKES SQUEALING EVEN AFTER NEW BRAKE PADS, MANY TIMES I WAS TOLD THAT SOMETHING MAYBE COMING LOOSE THAT I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL IT BREAKS BEFORE THEY CAN FIX IT. JUST RECENTLY AS OF 2-6-01 FORD FACTORY GUY TOLD ME I WAS IMAGINING THINGS. HE ALONG WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THERE ISN'T A PROBLEM, AND WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL IT BREAKS BEFORE THEY CAN FIX. WARRANTY EXPIRES APRIL 6, 2001. I CAN'T AFFORD TO WAIT UNTIL SOMETHING BREAKS, THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. SOMETIMES THE RATTLING NOISE ISN'T CONSTANT, OR VERY LOUD, BUT SOMETIMES IT IS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING THAT THEY CAN'T HEAR IT. MAYBE BEING AROUND ENGINES ALL THE TIME IT HAS AFFECTED THEIR HEARING. I DO KNOW THAT I AM NOT IMAGINING THINGS. JUST YESTERDAY THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHILE IN PARK, IT TOOK ME SEVERAL MINUTES TRYING TO MOVE TO THE STEERING WHEEL SO THAT I COULD TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THIS ISN'T CONSTANT BUT OCCASIONALLY, IT DOES HAPPEN HOWEVER. DURING OUR SUMMER, WITH TRIPLE DIGIT HEAT AND HEAT INDEX, KEY IN IGNITION GOT SO HOT THAT I BURNT MY HAND, THERE WAS ALSO A BURNING RUBBER SMELL. NO DEALER/REPAIR SHOPS WERE OPEN ON A SATURDAY, THE ONE PLACE I ATTEMPTED TO TAKE THE CAR TOO (FORD'S QUALITY CONTROL SHOP) TOLD ME THAT SINCE ITS UNDER WARRANTY, & THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN WORKING ON IT TO TAKE IT BACK THERE. WHICH I DID A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, OF COURSE THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS ALOT COOLER, SO THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. JUST RECENTLY I NOTICED DIFFERENCES IN THE TRANSMISSION. CAR NOT ALWAYS MOVING WHEN PRESS ON GAS PEDAL, SOMETIMES A JERKING MOTION WHEN SHIFT FROM PARK INTO REVERSE. A CRACKING SOUND FRONT DRIVERSIDE TIRE, I MADE A HARD LEFT TURN TO GET OUT OF PARKING SPOT. FORD DISPUTE BOARD CONTACTED
NHTSA complaint #741050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
RETAINING PINS THAT HOLD BRAKE PADS IN PLACE ARE LOOSE, CAUSING CONTACT TO THE WHEEL, AND EVENTUAL SEPARATION. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK MORE SPECIFICALLY THE RETAINING CLIPS THAT HOLD THE RETAINING PINS IN THE FRONT BRAKE ASSEMBLY SNAP AND FLY OFF OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE PINS CONTACT THE WHEEL.
NHTSA complaint #866149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL STIFFENS AND THE VEHICLE TAKES LONGER TO SLOW DOWN. THERE IS ALSO A VIBRATION THAT OCCURS DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. DEALER REPLACED PADS, AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. HAS BEEN TO DEALER 6 OR 7 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #847977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL STIFFENS AND THE VEHICLE TAKES LONGER TO SLOW DOWN. THERE IS ALSO A VIBRATION THAT OCCURS DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. DEALER REPLACED PADS, AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. HAS BEEN TO DEALER 6 OR 7 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #847977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.