1997 Mercury Tracer

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2001· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING AND CAUGHT ON FIRE, CLAIM 18-0629-945. *SLC

• 12/30/1996· VISIBILITY

  WINDOWS VIBRATE.

• 12/29/1997· VISIBILITY

  WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY EVERYTIME THE WINDOW IS OPENED TO LET AIR IN, CAN'T CLOSE IT DUE TO CABIN PRESSURE BUILD UP. *AK

• 12/21/2004· VISIBILITY

  HEATER CORE LEAKED FLUID ONTO THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WHICH BURNED THE CIRCUIT BOARD THAT CONTROLLED THE AIR BAGS. *AK

• 12/14/1999· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  LEFT TURN SIGNAL WOULD BLINK AT 3-4 TIMES THE NORMAL AND RIGHT TURN SIGNAL CAUSED THE CRUISE CONTROL TO MALFUNCTION DUE TO LEFT REAR BRAKE LIGHT BEING OUT, ONCE BULB WAS REPLACED ALL TURN SIGNAL FUNCTIONING WAS NORMAL. *MJS

• 12/07/2003· SUSPENSION

  MY 1997 MERCURY TRACER FAILED THE PA STATE INSPECTION DUE TO BOTH REAR SUSPENSION SPRINGS BEING BROKEN. A REVIEW OF THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS VEHICLE INDICATES THAT THIS FAILURE HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER LIKE VEHICLES BUT THERE SHOULD BE NO RESULTING OPERATIONAL CONCERN. WHY THEN DID THE STATE INSPECTION FAIL THE VEHICLE? WHAT COURSE OF ACTION CAN I TAKE TO GET REIMBURSED FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF BOTH REAR SPRINGS? *LA

• 12/02/1999· AIR BAGS,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  HORN MALFUNCTIOND ( HORN WOULD CONTINUE TO BLOW). FUSE WAS REMOVED TO STOP IT FROM SOUNDING OFF. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE HORN SWITCH AND AIR BAG WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. CAN NHTSA SHARE SOME LIGHT ON THIS MATTER. *AK

• 11/30/2004· AIR BAGSCrash

  THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE'S BUMPER AT AN IMPACT OF 35 MPH, AND NEITHER FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN WRECKED BEFORE. *SC

• 11/27/2000· TIRES

  WHILE INSPECTING THE TIRES ON MY CAR, I SAW THE INSIDE SIDEWALL HAD PEELED AWAY FROM THE CASING. THIS CONDITION IS ON BOTH FRONT TIRES AND CONSISTS OF ABOUT 12 INCHES OF DAMAGE PER TIRE. I CALLED GOODYEAR CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND THEY GAVE ME THE IMPRESSION THAT IT WAS NOT OF ANY GREAT CONCERN AND THAT THIS WAS A NORMAL CONDITION THAT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE LIMITED WARRANTY ADJUSTMENT POLICY. *AK( DOT NUMBER: T278408GCW TIRE SIZE: P18565 R14 )

• 11/27/1998· STEERING,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,SEAT BELTSCrash

  STEERING, SHIMMERING LIKE THE FRONT END WAS OUT OF LINE, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AND WENT OFF 2 TIMES THIRD TIME WENT TO DIXIE AND SET UP TO HAVE IT CHECK SINCE THE LIGHT STAYED ON THIS TIME AND DID NOT GO BACK OFF. SEATBELT, WILL NOT LATCH AT TIMES I HAVE TO KEEP TRYING TO PRESS IN THE RELEASE BUTTON FOR IT TO FINALLY LOCK. AT TIMES WOULD COME OFF WHILE DRIVING. DIXIE SET UP AN APPOINTMENT 1 WEEK AFTER I WENT THERE TO HAVE ALL OF THE ABOVE CHECKED.DATE DIXIE MOTORS LOOKED AT CAR JULY 24,1998. KEEPED CAR ABOUT 7 HRS. TOLD ME THEY CLEANED SEATBELT, DID NOT TELL ME WHAT WAS WRONG WITH STERRING AND THE ONLY THING FIXED WAS SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT. ON JULY 30,1998 3 DAYS AFTER BRINGING MY CAR IN TO BE FIX THE STEERING GRAB TO RIGHT COMING OUT OF CURVE AND SEATBELT CAME OFF WHEN THE CAR HIT A POLE. INJURING MY ARM,NECK AND LOWER BACK. ALL HAVE HEALED EXCEPT MY ARM. CALL A FORD REPERSENTIVE THEY HAD THE CLAIM DIVIONS CALL ME. I WENT TO BRUMFIELD FORD IN AMITE SINCE I DO NOT TRUST THE DIXIE MOTOR. MR RAFF CALLED DIXIE MOTORS LAST WEEK THEY TOLD HIM I HAVE NEVER BROUGHT MY CAR IN TO BE SERVICE. I SHOWED MR. RAFF THE WORKORDER PAPER 42094 CUSTOMER#35145, HE DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY SAID I DID NOT BRING THE CAR THERE. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYMORE, I HAVE A NEW CAR I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU JANELLE NEGROTTO( DOT NUMBER: AP7JJKUU TIRE SIZE: P185/65R14 )

• 11/26/1997· AIR BAGS

  FALSE DEPLOYMEN/VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG DURING A MINOR ACCIDENT. CAUSED BURN INJURIES TO THE THUMB AND CHIN.

• 11/23/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  BRAKES WERE GRINDING AND SQUEAKING. TO STOP THE VEHICLE THE PEDAL HAD TO BE PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY DENIED THE SERVICE. FOUND THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER ANOTHER VIN #. REPAIR WORK STILL CANNOT BE DONE BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. *AK

• 11/23/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ENGINE TAPS AND CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON. DEALER CONTACTED AND IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. STATED THE PROBLEM CAUSED BY CRACKED CRANKSHAFT. AFTER ENGINE REPLACED, PROBLEM CONTINUED AND DEALER SAID THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *ML

• 11/22/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TURNED KEY ON AND THE EXHAUST PIPE BROKE. THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND FUMES CAME UP IN THE CAR. CONTACTED THE DEALER, THEY SAID WARRANTY RAN OUT A WEEK AGO. VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED. CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, WAS NOT ABLE TO HELP. *AK

• 11/19/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE HORN SUDDENLY GOES OFF AND WON'T STOP UNTIL THE FUSE IS PULLED-ESPECIALLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. I HAVE HAD TO DISCONNECT THE HORN FUSE AND DRIVE AROUND WITH NO HORN FOR A YEAR NOW DUE TO THIS MALFUNCTION. MUCH TIME AND MONEY WAS SPENT TRYING TO FIND OUT THE PROBLEM AND WAS FINALLY TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE AIRBAG/HORN UNIT, AT A COST OF $600.00. *AK

• 11/19/2003· AIR BAGS

  PROBLEMS WITH AIR BAG MONITOR ON 1997 MERCURY TRACER.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED AN AMMONIA TYPE SMELL BEGAN TO EMIT FROM THE VEHICLE, SOON AFTER, THERE WAS A BURNT PLASTIC ODOR ALSO EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE AND MOMENTS LATER THE AIR BAG AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND FINALLY THE VEHICLE CEASED TO CONTINUE FUNCTIONING WHILE THE VEHICLE BECAME SMOKY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE AIR BAG SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE, RECALL #02V323000. *JB *NM

• 11/18/2003· AIR BAGSFire

  TWO WEEKS AGO MY CAR (A 1997 MERCURY TRACER) WAS INVOLVED IN AN CAR ACCIDENT IN KINGMAN, (4 HOURS NORTH WEST OF PHOENIX). THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAULT OF THE AIR BAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYING WITHOUT CAUSE, CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO MY CAR. I THEN NOTIFIED MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND IT WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP HERE IN KINGMAN. LATER THE NEXT DAY WHILE THE REPAIR SHOP WAS DOING THEIR INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSE, THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES FROM THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT. A COUPLE DAYS LATER THE INSURANCE COMPANY NOTIFIED ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY OF WHICH I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. THEN CONFIRMING THAT TO ME THAT MY CAR WAS IN FACT TOTALED, AND THEY WISHED TO REMOVE THE CAR FROM THE REPAIR SHOP. EARLIER LAST WEEK I SENT AN EMAIL TO FORD MOTORS TELLING OF MY DISGUST OF THE COMPANY BECAUSE I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ON SUCH A SERIOUS ISSUE. ON FRIDAY 11/14 I RECEIVED A CALL FROM FORD MOTORS CUSTOMER SERVICE ASKING FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ACCIDENT. AT THIS TIME I AM WAITING FOR A RESPONSE BACK FROM, WHAT I ASSUME, IS THEIR LEGAL DEPARTMENT. *LA

• 11/18/1999· AIR BAGSCrash

  WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH A DEER WAS ON THE ROAD. CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO AVOID HITTING THE DEER AND LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND HIT A TREE. CONSUMER WENT TO UNHOOK SEAT BELT TO GET OUT OF THE CAR, AND HEARD VEHICLE RUNNING. LEANED BACK TO CUT IT OFF, AND SEAT BELT CAME OUTOF BUCKLE AND KNOCKE DRIVER OUT. ALSO AIR BACK SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON, INDICATING THAT AIR BAGS WERE INOPERATIVE. DRIVER SUFFERED INJURIES, WAS HOSPITALIZED. *AK

• 11/17/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  HORN DOES NOT WORK . DEALER NOTIFIED , BUT CLAIMED VEHICLE HAD NO WARRANTY. *AK

• 11/14/1997· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  CALIPERS STICKING CAUSING ROTORS TO OVERHEAT AND WARP.

• 11/12/1999· AIR BAGSCrash

  WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD A DEER WAS CROSSING. SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING THE DEER, AND CONSUMER HIT A TREE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES. HOWEVER, AFTER TURNING OFF THE CAR AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *AK

• 11/07/2007· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER,EQUIPMENT

  TL*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. THE WARRANTY INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE FAILURE ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. ON OCTOBER 8, 2007, THE CONTACT DROVE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING COOLANT. AFTER THREE HOURS OF INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS STILL UNDETERMINED. THE DEALER ADVISED HER TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK IN A FEW DAYS. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN LOSING SPEED AND THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THROUGH ANOTHER COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE WARRANTY COMPANY, BUT THEY REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR WORK. THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THIS WAS BECAUSE SHE REPORTED THE DEALER TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 91,698. THE FUEL GAUGE WAS INOPERATIVE. THE AC DID NOT BLOW OUT COLD AIR, THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 12/12/07

• 11/07/2001· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  ENGINE CHECK LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE SYSTEM, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

• 11/03/1998· AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  CONSUMER PARALLEL PARKED WHEN GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK AND VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE REAR AND A PUBLIC TREE. ALSO BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE'S ESTIMATED DAMAGES WAS $4000.00 PLUS. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WER NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK *NLM

• 10/26/2004· FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

  WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH CONSUMER SMELLED FUEL. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. THEN, NOTICED THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TAKEN TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

• 10/20/1997· VISIBILITY

  DRIVERS WINDOW WON'T CLOSE AT HIGH SPEEDS DUE TO CABIN PRESSURE. GLASS WOBBLES.

• 10/11/2010· SUSPENSION

  1997 MERCURY TRACER TRIO VIN [XXX] MY WIFE AND I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM WANTED AUTO SALES IN WORLEY IDAHO. MY WE HAVE A ONE YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. WE HEARD A NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR. MY WIFE THOUGHT WE WERE BOTTOMING OUT. I CAME TO DISCOVER THAT BOTH REAR FACTORY STRUTS THE COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE STRUT HOUSING. IT LOOKS LIKE THE METAL HAS JUST FRACTURED AND FAILED. THE COILS MATERIAL MUST BE DEFECTIVE AND NOT UP TO SPECS FROM FORD THIS IS CLEARLY A FORD DEFECT. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN FOR US WITH A ONE YEAR OLD IN THE CAR. WE ARE NOT HAPPY IF THIS COULD COST THE DEATH OF A CHILD BECAUSE OF A UNSAFE CONDITION. THE CAR IS NOT NEW BUT THE SPRINGS SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR NOT BREAK LIKE THIS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR

• 10/10/2001· AIR BAGS

  AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS FLASHING, AND THERE IS A BEEPING SOUND. ALSO THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG COMPARTMENT. CONSUMER DISCONNECTED BATTERY.*AK

• 10/10/1998· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  IGNITION SWITCH FAILED.

• 10/08/2002· SUSPENSION

  BOTH SPRINGS DISCOVERED BROKEN, REAR TIRES WORN OUT DUE TO BREAKAGE. PH **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**768232

• 10/07/1999· POWER TRAIN

  SPEEDOMETER FAILED, REPLACEMENT OF THE CABLE DID NOT RECTIFY FAILURE. MJS

• 10/05/1999· POWER TRAIN

  FRONT SEAL LEAKING AT 36,000 MILE OF WEAR; ASKING NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFROMATION ON THIS CONDITION. *AK

• 10/04/2002· AIR BAGS

  PE 02 010 & EA 02 008/ WATER INGESTION INTO THE AIR BAG MONITOR, CONSUMER STATES THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAIN ON WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THAT THE AIR ABG MONITOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *MRTHE PART HAS BEEN REPLACED. *JG

• 09/26/2002· AIR BAGS

  CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND NO WARNING THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND THE AIR BAG COULD BE INOPERATIVE IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED.

• 09/25/2000· TIRES

  THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES DUE TO THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE THAT HAD A KNOT ON IT AND THE TWO BACK TIRES WERE OUT OF ROUND. (GOODYEAR 185-65 ADV+822626). *YH

• 09/23/2003· AIR BAGSFire

  DRIVING ON I-20 EASTBOUND. SMELLED AMMONIA, THEN SMELLED BURNT PLASTIC, AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, INTERIOR LIGHT FLICKERED OFF AND ON, CAR BEGAN TO DECREASE SPEED DESPITE PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL. WAS ABLE TO GET CAR INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE BEFORE IT COMPLETELY STOPPED MOVING. HOLE BURNT INTO PASSENGER AREA FROM UNDERNEATH DASH AREA. DEFROST AREA WARPED AND BURNT, BOTTOM OF WINDSHIELD (GLASS PART) BURNT.

• 09/22/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire

  WHILE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR 12 HOURS WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

• 09/17/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL STIFFENS AND THE VEHICLE TAKES LONGER TO SLOW DOWN. THERE IS ALSO A VIBRATION THAT OCCURS DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. DEALER REPLACED PADS, AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. HAS BEEN TO DEALER 6 OR 7 TIMES. *AK

• 09/17/1998· STEERING

  DESIGN OF THE STEERING CAUSED CONSUMER'S HAND TO GET STUCK WHILE TURNING RESULTING IN FRACTURED FINGER AND INJURY.

• 09/08/1999· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  BATTERY--DEAD.

• 09/07/2004· AIR BAGSFire

  02V323000/INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR CONTAMINATION. THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS DEFECT. THE WORK WAS DONE IN 2003. NOW THE PROBLEM HAS RESURFACED AND THE DEALER WANTS THE OWNER TO PAY 4000.00 TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CORRECTED WHEN THE RECALL WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

• 09/01/2000· TIRES

  WHILE DRIVING COULD FEEL TIRES VIBRATING. THEN, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER , AND DEALER FOUND OUT THAT RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS HAVING A TREAD SEPARATION. FIRESTONE RESPOND P185/65 R14. *AK FIRESTONE P185/65/R14 *MW

• 08/31/2007· AIR BAGS

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY TRACER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 02V323000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE). THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISES TO HER HANDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 171,437. UPDATED 01-15-08. *KB UPDATED *JB

• 08/28/2001· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  NO SUMMARY

• 08/23/2000· AIR BAGS,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  CONSUMER WAS INSIDE OF STORE WHEN HE HEARD HORN GOING OFF. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER THAT HORN ASSEMBLY WAS ATTACHED TO AIRBAG, AND THAT AIRBAG MODULAR UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED AS ONE UNIT. CONSUMER STATED THAT JUST BY TOUCHING ON HORN LIGHTLY IT WOULD GO OFF. *AK

• 08/19/1999· SEAT BELTS

  WHEN TRYING TO APPLY THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE THE SEAT BELT BROKE.DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD FIX THE SEAT BELT AT OWNER'S COST. *AK

• 08/16/2001· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ALL WIRES UNDER HOOD BURNED OUT, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

• 08/12/2004· VISIBILITY,AIR BAGS

  THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE CONSUMER'S DRIVEWAY WHEN BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS DESTROYED BY MOISTURE INTRUSION INTO THE AIR BAG MODULE AND CONNECTORS. AS A RESULT OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT THE WINDSHIELD THE WINDSHIELD SHATTERED AND THE DASHBOARD WAS DESTROYED. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK THE CONSUMER LATER LEARNED OF A RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE INTRUSION WAS CAUSED BY A PIN HOLE LEAK IN THE HEATER CORE THEREFORE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER INTENDS TO PURSE THE MATTER FURTHER. *NM

• 08/11/2001· SUSPENSION

  HEARD FOR QUITE A WHILE A "CRACKING NOISE" IN THE REAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN BREAKING, BUT ALSO DURING SHARP TURNS. GARAGE LOOKED AT IT AT 60K MILES AND REPORTED BOTH REAR SPRINGS BROKEN. ACCORDING TO GARAGE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ESCORT/TRACER. RECEIVED ADVICE NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR, PARTS WERE ORDERED, WHICH TOOK 2 WEEKS. ACCORDING TO A DEALER "THERE IS A SHORTAGE IN SPRINGS, DUE TO HIGH DEMAND"

• 08/08/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  MY GIRLFRIEND OWNS A 1997 MERCURY TRACER. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN FOR APPROXIMATELY 110,000 MILES. HERE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WE HAD A DIAGNOSTIC ANALYSIS CONDUCTED ON THE CAR. THE ANALYSIS SAID THERE WAS A MISFIRE IN THE 4TH CYLINDER AND BEFORE WE COULD CHANGE THE SPARK PLUGS THE CAR WAS NO LONGER DRIVEABLE. IT TURNS OUT THAT MERCURY MAKES A PIECE OF JUNK CAR AND THAT THE VALVE SEATS WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A POWDERED METAL. IT APPEARS THAT THE VALVE SEAT CRACKED AND DROPPED INTO THE CYLINDER RESULTING IN THE PISTON HAMMERING DOWN INTO THAT CYLINDER AND DESTROYING THE ENGINE. THIS CAR WAS ONLY SIX YEARS OLD AND WAS KEPT IN EXCELLENT CONDITION BUT THANKS TO THE INCOMPETENT CRAFTMANSHIP OF THE PEOPLE AT MERCURY MY GIRLFRIEND WAS EXTREMELY INCONVENIENCED (TEMPORALLY AND MOST OF ALL FINANCIALLY) DUE TO THE CHEAPNESS OF THE ENGINE. IT IS SAFE TO SAY THAT WE WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR MANUFACTURED BY THE FORD COMPANY. FOREIGN ALL THE WAY. THANK YOU. SALMAAN TOOR