1989 Mercury TRACER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
10 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
90,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 10 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 20.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 10.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 10.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum:Shoes/Linings | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum:Shoes/Linings: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 9 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 5 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
1995: 5; 1996: 2; 2000: 1; 2001: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 971399 · 1995-08-31 (August 31, 1995)
BRAKE FAILURE, FAILURE OF MASTER CYLINDER, SURGE WHILE DRIVING, PEDAL FADED. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 971399 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 976966 · 1995-12-26 (December 26, 1995)
EXCESSIVE WEAR BRAKE SHOES/PADS REPLACING REPEATEDLY W/LOW MILEAGE ACCUMULATION. MASTER CYLINDER ALSO FAILS REPLACED (4) TIMES. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 976966 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11014936 · 2017-08-13 (August 13, 2017)
THERE IS A STALLING PROBLEM, EVEN WHEN DRIVING! THE WERE A NUMBER OF TIMES THAT I HAD TO BE PUSHED OF A MAIN ROAD. IT TOOK HOURS TO RESTART. IF I WAIT OVER 10 HOURS, MOST TIMES THE CAR WILL RESTART. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE IN THE IGNITION MODULE AND /OR THE MAGNET AND/OR THE ROTOR. I HAVE SPENT NEARLY $2,300.00 REPLACING PARTS. THE CAR STILL STALLS OUT EVEN WHEN DRIVING! IT IS POSSIBLE THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE DISTRIBUTOR OR THE IGNITION MODULE. THE CONTACTS TO THE RELAY IN THE FUSE BOX WERE CLEANED BUT IT STILL STALLS RANDOMLY. I …
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11014936 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 983348 · 1996-04-23 (April 23, 1996)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNDER THE HOOD ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE, ELECTRICAL SHORT, SAW SMOKE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 983348 at NHTSA ↗