Model year record

1992 Mercury Tracer recalls & problems

The 1992 Mercury Tracer has 2 safety recalls and 24 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (8 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints24filed by owners

Crashes · fires2 · 5reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SuspensionJun 2, 1994

Front

Recall 94E019000919 vehicles

Problem: THE OFFSET TOE ADJUSTING PIN CAN FRACTURE UNDER CONDITIONS SUCH AS TORSIONAL LOADS, FLEXING MOTION, IMPACT LOADS, AND OVERTORQUING.
Risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL ANDAN ACCIDENT.
Fix: DANA WILL PAY FOR REPLACEMENT AND LABOR COSTS OF THE ADJUSTMENT PIN WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE INSTALLING FACILITY AND THE VEHICLE OWNER. THESE PINS SHOULD BE REPLACED BY A FORD ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT PIN ASSEMBLY. OWNER OR INSTALLER INQUIRIES CONCERNING THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN SHOULD CONTACT DANA SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-248-9606.

Exterior lightingJul 13, 1992

Brake lights › Switch

Recall 92V10300043,000 vehicles

Problem: THE STOP LAMP SWITCHES COULD INTERMITTENTLY MALFUNCTION RESULTING IN THE STOP LAMPS NOT ILLUMINATING WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN FOLLOWING MOTORISTS NOT BEINGSIGNALED THAT THE VEHICLE IS BRAKING, AND COULD RESULT IN A COLLISION.
Fix: REPLACE THE FAULTY STOP LAMP SWITCHES.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Tracer

29mpg combined

City / highway	26 / 33 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/year to fuel

Tracer Wagon

29mpg combined

City / highway	26 / 33 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/year to fuel

Tracer

26mpg combined

City / highway	22 / 32 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

Tracer Wagon

26mpg combined

City / highway	22 / 32 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

Tracer

25mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel

Tracer

23mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemIgnition › Switch; Ignition	8	0	4	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Anchorage; Front › Retractor	5	2	0	2	—
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Delivery › Fuel pump	3	0	1	0	—
SteeringLinkages › Tie rod assembly; Hydraulic power assist system	2	0	0	0	—
TiresTread/belt	2	1	0	0	—
SuspensionRear	1	0	0	1	—
Exterior lightingBack up lights	1	0	0	0	—
Vehicle speed control	1	0	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)	1	0	0	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission	1	0	0	0	—
Fuel/propulsion system	1	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Fuel/propulsion system
AFTER 27 YEARS THE RUBBER FUEL FILLER PIPE ON THE CAR CRACKED AND BEGAN LEAKING FUEL. THE FUEL FILLER PIPE WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW FUEL FILLER PIPE FROM FORD MOTORCRAFT, PART #KFL-22, FOCZ-9324-AA. THE NEW FUEL FILLER PIPE LASTED ONLY 6 MONTHS BEFORE CRACKING AND SPILLING GAS ON MY DRIVEWAY CREATING A HAZARDOUS SITUATION. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED WITH A NEW THIRD PARTY [NOT FORD] FUEL FILLER PIPE. I'M BRINGING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION BECAUSE NUMEROUS AUTO REPAIR WEB SITES HAVE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING DEFECTIVE REPLACEMENT FORD FUEL FILLER PIPES [ALL FORD MODELS]. FUEL FILLER PIPES SHOULD LAST MORE THEN 6 MONTHS. FORD'S REPLACEMENT FUEL FILLER PIPES ARE DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED…
Jun 15, 2020 · 298,000 miles
Electrical system › Ignition
ON MY DAUGHTERS 1992 MERCURY TRACER, THE IGNITION SWITCH ENGAGED THE ENGINE STARTER AND BEGAN SMOKING WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND WHEN NO-ONE WAS IN THE CAR. I AM NOW FACED WITH $800.00 IN REPAIR BILLS FOR A DEFECTIVE FORD MOTOR COMPANY PART THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. *LA
Oct 30, 2003 · 80,000 miles
Tires › Tread/belt
TREAD SEPARATION DISCOVERED ACCIDENTALLY PER INSPECTION FOR DRIVEABIITY CONCERN. *AK (DOT NUMBER: W2R4 TIRESIZE: P195/60R14)
Jan 29, 2001
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pumpFire
FUEL PUMP FAILED RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE CAR. NLM
Dec 14, 2000
Seat belts › Front › AnchorageCrash1 injury
THE SHOULDER HARNESS PULLED FROM TRACK ON IMPACT , THE DRIVER'S HEAD STRUCK THE WINDSHEILD AND RECEVIED CONTUSIONS TO NECK AND HEAD FROM THE LOOSE END OF THE HARNESS
Feb 17, 2000
Electrical system › Starter assemblyFire
STARTER SHORTED OUT, CAUSING A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Jun 15, 2000
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)
EXHAUST VALVE BROKE EVERY YEAR, CAUSING REAR END TO OVERHEAT AND BURN THE TRUNK. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Jan 1, 1996
Vehicle speed control
THREE OCCASIONS OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION.
Apr 23, 1992

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

FUEL PUMP WIRING SHORTAGEClosed
There is no summary currently available
EA94002 · opened Jan 28, 1994 · closed Jan 31, 1995