Mercury

Tracer

Compact Cars · model years 1988 to 1999

Includes Tracer and Tracer Wagon as listed by the EPA.

See all 56 Tracer trims

The verdict

Best year: 1999. complaints: 20, below this model's typical 41; recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1.

Worst year: 1997. complaints: 142, about 3.5x this model's typical 41; recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Mercury Tracer
Year	Trims	MPG	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Top complaints
1988	4Gas	25.5	$2,650	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1988
1989	4Gas	25.5	$2,650	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1989
1991	6Gas	25	$2,500	2	60	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 25%, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 17%, SEAT BELTS 14%
complaints: 60, below this model's typical 62 recalls: 2, about 2x this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 complaints reporting a fire: 9 Score: 42 of 100, where higher is better.
1992	6Gas	26	$2,400	1	24	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 29%, SEAT BELTS 17%, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 13%
complaints: 24, below this model's typical 62 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 complaints reporting a fire: 5 Score: 72 of 100, where higher is better.
1993	6Gas	25	$2,500	0	62	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 12%, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 11%, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 10%
complaints: 62, in line with this model's typical 62 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 13 complaints reporting a fire: 3 Score: 35 of 100, where higher is better.
1994	6Gas	26	$2,400	1	66	SEAT BELTS 15%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 15%, AIR BAGS 13%
complaints: 66, above this model's typical 62 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 17 complaints reporting a fire: 5 Score: 53 of 100, where higher is better.
1995	6Gas	26	$2,400	3	96	FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 29%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12%, SEAT BELTS 10%
complaints: 96, about 1.6x this model's typical 62 recalls: 3, about 3x this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 7 Score: 16 of 100, where higher is better.
1996	6Gas	25	$2,500	0	12	SEAT BELTS 27%, AIR BAGS 20%, SEATS 13%
complaints: 12, below this model's typical 62 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 10 Score: 82 of 100, where higher is better.
1997	4Gas	27	$2,300	1	142	AIR BAGS 28%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 13%
complaints: 142, about 3.5x this model's typical 41 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 17 complaints reporting a fire: 17 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
1998	4Gas	26.5	$2,350	0	44	SUSPENSION 22%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 16%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%
complaints: 44, above this model's typical 41 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 70 of 100, where higher is better.
1999	4Gas	26.5	$2,350	0	20	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 20%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 13%, AIR BAGS 10%
complaints: 20, below this model's typical 41 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 82 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median1988: 25.5 to 1999: 26.5

Owner complaints1991: 60 to 1999: 20

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Mercury Tracer to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.