Mercury Tracer: best and worst years

Every model year, ranked by owner complaints reported to NHTSA relative to time on the road. Click a year for its problems, recalls and trouble codes.

Years to avoid: 1997

Complaint rates far above this model's median, even after adjusting for time on the road.

Held up best: 1992, 1999

The fewest complaints relative to years on the road - at most half the model's median rate.

1999solid year20 complaints · 1 recalls 199844 complaints · 1 recalls 1997worst year142 complaints · 2 recalls 199596 complaints · 3 recalls 199465 complaints · 1 recalls 199362 complaints · 1 recalls 1992solid year24 complaints · 2 recalls 199160 complaints · 3 recalls

Ranked by complaints per year on the road (age capped at 12 years), so older years do not lead just because they have been around longer. Years under 3 years old are not judged - they have not had time to show their problems. Rates are relative to this model only and are not adjusted for sales volume.