1988 Mercury Tracer Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 33%of 21 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the seat belts of the 1988 Mercury Tracer, 33% of the 21 complaints for this model year. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #864435, filed 2000-06“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 released when using the release button it seems that the buckle sticks it is currently not usable as consumer's last passenger got stuck in the seat belt.”
NHTSA complaint #973768, filed 1995-10Related recalls
- 95V103011Jun 27, 1995The 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…Covers: Mercury Tracer 1987–1989, Ford Festiva 1988–1991
- 89V085000May 22, 1989Some lap shoulder belt retractors were built with certain out of tolerance components.Covers: Mercury Tracer 1988
Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 1 | 5% |
| 1997 | 4 | 3% |
| 1996 | 4 | 33% |
| 1995 | 12 | 13% |
| 1994 | 12 | 18% |
| 1993 | 7 | 11% |
| 1992 | 4 | 17% |
| 1991 | 10 | 17% |
| 1989 | 2 | 13% |
| 1988 | 7 | 33% |
Other parts of the 1988 Mercury Tracer
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1988 Mercury Tracer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology