1999 Mercury Tracer Problems
- Complaints
- 20filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 28 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 24 city / 34 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1999 Mercury Tracer (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 20 consumer complaints for the 1999 Mercury Tracer. The part named most often is electrical system, with 6 complaints (30% of the total), followed by brakes (5) and air bags (3). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 70,000 miles. Of all complaints, 6 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 5 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system6 30%
- Brakes5 25%
- Air bags3 15%
- Exterior lighting2 10%
- Suspension2 10%
- Engine cooling1 5.0%
- Fuel system1 5.0%
- Other or unknown1 5.0%
- Seat belts1 5.0%
Also reported: Steering (1), Body and structure (1), Tires (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “We bought a 1999 Mercury Tracer used car on 04/2000, later the steering wheel started vibrating badly, this vibration can be felt thru out the car. The car has been in for repair 8 times. The service manager now says that this vibration is normal. When we took it back sat in the car and said that he would not drive that car vibrating like that and he would not expect us to. . I asked if it was safe to drive, he said he could not answer that. My concern is, with this severe vibration is the steering column going to disconnect or lockup and cause severe bodily harm. …”
NHTSA complaint #10028971, filed 2003-07Brakes: “When slowing down and coming to a complete stop with a bump in the road, the vehicle would accelerate. (the consumer's foot would be on the brake pedal) the dealer could not find the problem. The consumer stated that she has almost had accidents because of this.”
NHTSA complaint #565386, filed 2002-06Exterior lighting: “The front plastic headlight lens are deteriorating, conditions are causing poor visibility while driving at night. Both lens was replaced and repaired by a local repair shop. The dealer was not notified. ...the two headlight lens became yellow and discolored. They did not provide adequate visibility at night. Replaced headlights at cost of $317.oo, including pennsylvania state tax.”
NHTSA complaint #10108589, filed 2005-01, 92,214 milesMileage when problems were reported
33% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 45,000 and 92,214 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1999 Mercury Tracer. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracer · sedan | not rated | 3 / 3 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1999 Mercury Tracer version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracer FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 24 | 34 | 28 | $2,400 |
| Tracer FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 22 | 31 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Tracer Wagon FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 24 | 34 | 28 | $2,400 |
| Tracer Wagon FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 22 | 31 | 25 | $2,700 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1999 Mercury Tracer in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 5 on record; the latest 5 are shown.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004Transmission and drivetrain. General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10014062Dec 13, 2004Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair.
- 10013369Nov 1, 2004Transmission and drivetrain. General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures.
- 10011159Aug 9, 2004Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair.
- 10013060Oct 14, 2002Equipment. Climate control a/c service tech tips.
Other model years of the Mercury Tracer
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 20 | 70,000 | 0 | — | 28 | — | Stable |
| 1998 | 44 | 83,000 | 0 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 142 | 73,546 | 1 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 12 | 50,620 | 0 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 96 | 85,500 | 3 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 66 | 77,000 | 1 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 62 | 101,500 | 0 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 24 | 189,000 | 1 | — | 26 | — | Falling |
| 1991 | 60 | 119,384 | 2 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 16 | 90,000 | 1 | — | 27 | — | Stable |
| 1988 | 21 | — | 3 | — | 27 | — | Stable |
All Mercury Tracer model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1999 Mercury Tracer have?
NHTSA recorded 20 consumer complaints for the 1999 Mercury Tracer as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1999 Mercury Tracer is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 6 complaints (30% of the total), followed by brakes with 5.
Has the 1999 Mercury Tracer been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1999 Mercury Tracer get?
The EPA rates the 1999 Mercury Tracer (Tracer, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 28 mpg combined, 24 city and 34 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,400 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1999 Mercury Tracer reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 70,000 miles and the middle half falls between 45,000 and 92,214 miles; 33% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.