1995 Mercury Tracer Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 1995 Mercury Tracer most often report fuel leaks from a cracked fuel tank, usually near the heat shield mounting points, with a gasoline smell inside or outside the vehicle. Many of these complaints note that the vehicle was not covered by the fuel tank recall campaigns, and owners were told the repair was not eligible for a free remedy. Other reports involve engine stalls from timing belt failure, automatic seat belts that stick in their track, and brake or speed control concerns.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Fuel tank cracking and fuel leaks

   • 31 complaints (32%)
   • median 88,000 mi at 12.7 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • filed 1997–2014

   Owners describe gasoline smells inside and outside the vehicle, drips or puddles of fuel under the car when parked, and, in some cases, fuel loss noticed on the gauge. Mechanics and dealers commonly found a crack in the plastic fuel tank, often near the heat shield attachment points, and recommended replacing the tank. Several owners say they contacted the manufacturer about recalls 97V144000 and 97V145000 but were told their vehicle identification number was not included, so the repair was at their own expense. Reported across a wide mileage range, from as low as about 45,000 miles to over 150,000 miles, on vehicles of various ages.

   Recall 97V145000Recall 97V144000

   What to check: Look under the rear of the car for fuel stains or a strong gasoline smell, especially near the heat shield area, and ask whether the fuel tank has been replaced. Check the vehicle identification number against recalls 97V144000 and 97V145000.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10162426, filed 2006-07, 71,288 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10133036, filed 2005-08, 88,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Engine stall or failure from timing belt/valve problems

   • 9 complaints (9%)
   • median 61,607 mi at 7.8 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1996–2009

   Owners describe the engine suddenly losing power or shutting off while driving, sometimes at highway speed, with no warning. In several cases the timing belt had failed or a valve seat or valve dropped in the 1.9L engine, requiring cylinder head or engine repair. Some also describe coolant or water appearing on the passenger side floor area without the temperature gauge showing a problem. Mostly reported between roughly 60,000 and 116,000 miles, with some complaints not stating mileage.

   What to check: Ask for records showing when the timing belt and water pump were last replaced, and listen for unusual engine noise or rough running on a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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, filed 2005-03

   “Funny noises when driving due to a hole in converter. Also, bolt fell out from engine, causing engine to fall. Vehicle completely stopped while driving at 65 MPH after oil leaked out. Repairwork done at owners expense. Provide further information.”

   NHTSA complaint #844270, filed 1999-08
3. 3
   Seat belts

   Automatic seat belts stuck in the track

   • 11 complaints (11%)
   • typically at 6.1 yrs old
   • filed 1999–2002

   Owners report the motorized shoulder belt getting stuck in position and not moving along its overhead track, leaving the driver or passenger unable to use it normally. Some say the dealer replaced the track or motor, while others describe being told the failed motor was not the manufacturer's responsibility. Mileage and age are often not stated in these complaints, but vehicles were generally several years old at the time.

   What to check: With the ignition on, watch the shoulder belt move through its full travel on both sides and listen for unusual motor noise or binding.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When I bought the Mercury Tracer back in 1996, I was very excited, but after the first year of owning the vehicle there was a recall on the gas tanks, at which time I took the car in to be checked. Soon after that I began to have many problems with the car. The electrical system failed at which time it was covered under warranty, the key swithch stop working meaning the switch would not turn to off position, the door locks would not lock, the electric seatbelt stop working a few months after holiday ford said they fixed it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #745134, filed 2001-05

   “Driver's side motorized shoulder belt is stuck in mid-position, not moving forward or around driver. Manufacture is claiming no responsibility of failure for motor burning out. Please describe details.”

   NHTSA complaint #8018099, filed 2002-09
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake pedal fade and caliper sticking

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the brake pedal sometimes going to the floor, usually at low speed, with longer stopping distance, and in one case a collision after the brakes and steering locked up. Another owner reports a knocking or clunking felt through the pedal at low speeds, traced to sticking caliper slides that were replaced and later greased, with the noise returning. Reported at low speeds, typically under 20 to 35 mph; stated mileages range around 80,000 miles, with several complaints not giving mileage.

   What to check: Ask when the brake fluid, pads and calipers were last serviced, and test braking at low speed for a spongy pedal, pulling, or clunking.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10006922, filed 2001-07, 80,000 miles

   “Brakes intermittently go all the way to the floor, usually under 20mph, dry and wet pavements, extended stopping distance occurs. Dealer not aware of the problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #830132, filed 1998-11
5. 5
   Vehicle speed control

   Sudden acceleration or high idle

   • 8 complaints (8%)
   • typically at 4.3 yrs old
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2001

   Owners describe the vehicle accelerating unexpectedly, sometimes while slowing to a stop or when shifting into reverse, and in one case a manual transmission car revving to high idle when shifting. Some repairs involved idle air control or throttle sensors without solving the problem. Mileage and age are generally not stated in these complaints.

   What to check: During a test drive, check that idle is steady and that the engine returns to normal idle after revving and after shifting between gears.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Manual transmission, when shifting gears vehicle goes into high idle positon, the rpms reaches up 4000, intermittently failes , in for repairs, replace idle air control sensor, and throttle sensor, vehicle continues to fail.”

   NHTSA complaint #806326, filed 1996-12

   “Vehicle stalled out at stops and accelerated without warning. Problem was intermittent. Deaelr will be contacted. Please add VIN and any other information to complete the form.”

   NHTSA complaint #895738, filed 2001-09

Buying note. Check the fuel tank area carefully for leaks or a gasoline smell and confirm whether the recall campaigns apply to the specific vehicle, since many owners report cracks on vehicles outside the recalled range. Also ask about timing belt service history and test the brakes and seat belts.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.