1997 Mercury TRACER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
96 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
73,547 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 26 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 18 of 96 complaints (18.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 7.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 6.3% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 3.1% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 3.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 2.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 18 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 9 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 7 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 4 |
Air Bags: 18; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 9; Air Bags:Frontal: 7; Electrical System:Horn: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 6; Unknown Or Other: 6; Air Bags:Side/Window: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 70 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 | 11 |
| 2001 | 23 |
| 2002 | 15 |
| 2003 | 27 |
| 2004 | 10 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 3 |
2000: 11; 2001: 23; 2002: 15; 2003: 27; 2004: 10; 2005: 2; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 1; 2010: 3
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10004956 · 2003-01-30 (January 30, 2003)
I BEGAN HAVING ENGINE TROUBLE LAST JULY. WHJEN I TURNED THE INGNITION THE ENGINE BEGAN TO BUCKLE AND MAKE A LOUD NOISE. I WOULD HAVE TO ATTEMPT STARTING IT A FEW TIMES TO GET A CLEAN START. THEN THE ENGINE WOULD MAKE A TAPPING NOISE AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER - THEY SAID IT WAS A DIRTY CYLINDER AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. THEY CLEANED IT BUT A FEW MONTHS LATER THE SAME STRING OF EVENTS OCCURRED -- BUT THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF BEFORE I COULD GET IT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER TOOK THE CAR ANYWAY -- THEY…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004956 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007369 · 2003-02-13 (February 13, 2003)
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. AIR BAG MONITOR WATER SHIELD REPLACED.*JB *TS
Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007369 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007466 · 2002-10-08 (October 8, 2002)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 31,585 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007466 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008606 · 2003-02-19 (February 19, 2003)
NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE REGARDING THE RECALL FOR THE AIR BAG, RECALL # 02 V 323 000.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008606 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008742 · 2003-02-19 (February 19, 2003)
THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL REGARDING THE AIR BAG.)(02V323000)*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008742 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009936 · 2003-03-05 (March 5, 2003)
THE HORN CONTINUOUSLY BLEW, CONSUMER HAD TO DISCONNECT THE FUSE TO STOP THE HORN FROM BLOWING. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THE THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE AIR BAG MONITOR. 8JB
Owner-reported narrative. 53,201 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009936 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010020 · 2003-03-06 (March 6, 2003)
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, CONSUMER WAS INJURED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10010020 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010510 · 2003-03-15 (March 15, 2003)
HORN BLOWS CONTINUOUSLY. PULLED FUSE TO STOP. TOLD BY DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT NEED TO REPLACE ENTIRE AIRBAG ASSEMBLY TO RECTIFY. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 54,541 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010510 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
02V323000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-Inactive
Reported: 2002-12-09 (December 9, 2002)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR (IABM) CAN BE CONTAMINATED WITH WATER OR OTHER LIQUIDS AND COULD EXPERIENCE INTERNAL ELECTRICAL SHORTING.
Consequence: THIS MAY, IN TURN, CAUSE THE AIR BAG READINESS LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND IN VERY RARE OCCURRENCES, AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, MELTED WIRING, OR FIRE MAY OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE SHIELD OVER THE IABM AND APPLY NYOGEL GREASE TO THE CONNECTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 11, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
NHTSA campaign record ↗