1998 Mercury Tracer Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 18%of 44 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1998 Mercury Tracer, 18% of the 44 complaints for this model year.
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.
“The rear coil springs broke on my 1998 Mercury Tracer. When seeking a repair, I understand that this is a well documented problem with ford/Mercury models of this size (escort/Tracer/tempo). With rear springs broken, one can observe the rear tires of a car with these springs broken come off the road. With ford well aware of this design flaw in these autos, there ought to be a recall of these vehicles. I have only 47,700 miles on this car; I have now replaced a busted crankshaft pulley and the resistor associated with circulation system which could have started a fire. …”
NHTSA complaint #10058486, filed 2004-02“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #741050, filed 2001-02“At 2,795 miles the engine was replaced. At 4,162 miles vehicle experienced sudden acceleration on two occasions. One incident resulted in hitting a light pole.”
NHTSA complaint #547893, filed 1999-08Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 1 | 5% |
| 1998 | 8 | 18% |
| 1997 | 21 | 15% |
| 1996 | 1 | 8% |
| 1995 | 14 | 15% |
| 1994 | 7 | 11% |
| 1993 | 4 | 6% |
| 1992 | 1 | 4% |
| 1991 | 7 | 12% |
| 1989 | 6 | 38% |
| 1988 | 3 | 14% |
Other parts of the 1998 Mercury Tracer
11 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Mercury Tracer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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