1991 Mercury Tracer Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 28%of 60 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the electrical system of the 1991 Mercury Tracer, 28% of the 60 complaints for this model year. 6 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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?”
NHTSA complaint #10023232, filed 2003-06“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.”
NHTSA complaint #532812, filed 1998-03“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..”
NHTSA complaint #744186, filed 2001-04“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.”
NHTSA complaint #830991, filed 1998-11“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #703629, filed 1999-02Related recalls
- 93V057000Apr 15, 1993The roll pins securing the ignition lock in the steering column housing can separate or move out of position.Covers: Mercury Tracer 1991, Ford Escort 1991
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 6 | 30% |
| 1998 | 6 | 14% |
| 1997 | 22 | 15% |
| 1995 | 7 | 7% |
| 1994 | 4 | 6% |
| 1993 | 8 | 13% |
| 1992 | 7 | 29% |
| 1991 | 17 | 28% |
| 1989 | 1 | 6% |
| 1988 | 1 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1991 Mercury Tracer
14 complaintsSeat belts
10 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsInterior lighting
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1991 Mercury Tracer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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