1998 Mercury TRACER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
32 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
83,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 32 complaints (12.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 12.5% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 9.4% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.1% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Suspension:Rear:Springs | 3 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Suspension:Rear:Springs:Coil Springs | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 4; Air Bags:Frontal: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Suspension:Rear:Springs: 3; Electrical System:Horn: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Suspension:Rear:Springs:Coil Springs: 2
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 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 2
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 25 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 9 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
2000: 5; 2001: 9; 2002: 5; 2003: 3; 2004: 4; 2005: 4; 2007: 1; 2010: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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 10190503 · 2007-05-11 (May 11, 2007)
WHILE I AM ON THE FOOT BRAKE SLOWING DOWN, CAR SUDDENLY REVS, SHIFTS INTO GEAR AND ACCELERATES. I AM UNABLE TO HOLD BACK THE VEHICLE EVEN WHEN PUSHING AS HARD AS I CAN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I HAVE TO KNOCK THE SHIFT LEVER INTO NEUTRAL TO STOP.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 132,482 miles reported. Look up ODI 10190503 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 741050 · 2001-02-17 (February 17, 2001)
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 HAV…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 741050 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 554484 · 2000-09-11 (September 11, 2000)
ENGINE STALLS AT SLOW SPEEDS AND WHILE TAKING CORNERS WITH THE CLUTCH ENGAGED. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 554484 at NHTSA ↗