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EquipmentPart report

1997 Mercury Tracer Equipment Problems

Complaints
2about this part
Share
1%of 142 total for the year
Median mileage
96,849miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the equipment of the 1997 Mercury Tracer, 1% of the 142 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 96,849 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

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.

“While driving down at speed of 65-70 MPH, the car ceased to accelorate. I pulled over to the side of the road, once the car was completely stopped it would no longer crank. Today when I went to clean it out (happened at night)I saw that a hole was burned through the bottom of the passenger side dash board. Also I noticed that there was smoke/fire residue on the windshield coming from the defrost vents. Before any of this happened the airbag ligts were coming on and there was a burnt plastic smell and a scent of ammonia smell coming from god-knows-where. …”

NHTSA complaint #10070841, filed 2004-01, 102,000 miles

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10208138, filed 2007-11, 91,698 miles

Related service bulletins

Equipment: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
199721%
199544%
199312%

Other parts of the 1997 Mercury Tracer

Air bags
47 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsEngine cooling
21 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsSuspension
11 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsTires
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsSteering
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1997 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