1991 Mercury Tracer: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 60 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (28% of complaints); the 1992 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 1994
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 60 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1991 mercury tracer. After the vehicle was filled with fuel and parked in the garage, the contact smelled a fuel odor and noticed fuel leaking onto the garage floor. All american ford (3306 bridge ave, point pleasant, nj 08742, (732) 451-3582) was contacted and stated that the vehicle was too old and they did not have parts. The vehicle was then taken to all american mazda (575 burnt tavern rd, brick township, nj 08724, (732) 451-6848) where a diagnostic and repair appointment was scheduled. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 160,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2018
“(1) shoulder belt would not move to driving position, coolant fan would not run when needed with engine running only when the ignition was turned off, oil light stayed on and alternately flashed with the right turn signal indicator. (2) a shorting connector to the fuel pump burned the wire bundle to the fuel pump in the tank. It also burned wires behind the fuse block and under the dash!!! (3) the connector, harness update, fuel pump/pump assembly, lock ring, were replaced, burned wires were replaced behind the fuse block. The car cannot be driven because there are more burned wires to repair under the dash. Updated01/09/06. *jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2004
“There was a fatigue fracture in fuel tank and fuel was leaking. Contacted dealer, and the dealer stated that vehicle was not included in recall.*ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2002
Show 7 more owner reports
“I had to replace two ignition switches on my 1991 mercury 1.9 tracer to the tune of $360.00. The first one they installed, the tumblers fell apart after one day, I had to be towed back to the mechanic to install a second ignition switch. I was informed that ford had a recall on tracer ignition switches. How do I recover my expense? *jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2002
“Vehicle will leak 2 quarts of oil a week, there is also a strong gas smell inside of vehicle. Contacted dealer, and the dealer was not willing to do anything.*ak consumer states when driving over bumps, the muffler bangs against the floor, when stepping on the gas to get some speed, black smoke comes out of exhaust pipe, when filling fuel tank, fuel pours out. Valve cover is leaking oil. Dash lights did not work. Struts for the tailgate do not hold the tailgate. Third brake light is inoperative, also dimmer switch was replaced. While driving, vehicle pulls to the right, rpm gauge does not work. Consumer wants manufacturer to take vehicle back. *jb”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2001
“Consumer was traveling about 40 mph on a main street and clutch pedal fell off on his leg, and vehicle went out of control. But he was able to bring vehicle to complete stop. Arm of clutch was very small. Dealership was aware of problem.*ak the consumer states that this case should investigated. *yh”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2001
“1991 tracer is nearly identical to 1991 4-door escort and uses the same electrical hardware, per chilton's manuals. There was a recall for ignition switch fires for escorts (NHTSA 96v071000) for models 8/87 to 9/92, but the ford customer service agent denied any knowledge of such a recall and there was never one issued by mercury for our particular make. The service reps in indiana and arizona appeared to have familiarity with ignition switch problems but stopped short of offering any recall coverage for the repair..*ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2001
“Transmission problems went out because clutch burned out which caused electrical problems. Torque converter had to be replaced due to all the build up trash from the transmission (failure). Mjs”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 1999
“The car fuel gauge failed first soon after problems began to occur with the car intermittently not starting. After a few days the car would not start upon leaving from my work. The car was towed to a service station where the problem was eventually determined. Removal of the rear seat revealed that the wiring to the fuel pump was severely melted away. The power wires to the fuel pump do not appear to be the main problem however, but the sending unit wires have completely failed and in the process destroyed the other wiring as well. The fuse to the fuel pump has never blown which is the origional fuse.”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 1999
“When getting into vehicle and trying to use driver's side/passenger's side shoulder belts, shoulder's belts jam and consumer can't get them out. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Feb 1999
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
THE OFFSET TOE ADJUSTING PIN CAN FRACTURE UNDER CONDITIONS SUCH AS TORSIONAL LOADS, FLEXING MOTION, IMPACT LOADS, AND OVERTORQUING.
Remedy: 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.
FATIGUE CRACKS CAN DEVELOP IN THE SOLDER JOINT BETWEEN THE FUEL RETURN TUBE AND THE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT LOCATED AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK.
Remedy: INSTALL A NEW FUEL PUMP SENDING ASSEMBLY.
THE ROLL PINS SECURING THE IGNITION LOCK IN THE STEERING COLUMN HOUSING CAN SEPARATE OR MOVE OUT OF POSITION.
Remedy: IF ONE OR BOTH OF THE ROLL PINS ARE MISSING OR NOT FULLY INSERTED, THE IGNITION LOCK HOUSING WILL BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH THE DOOR-LOCKS AND THE LIFTGATE OR DECK-LID LOCKS SO THAT KEY COMPATIBILITY IS MAINTAINED. IF BOTH PINS ARE PRESENT AND FULLY INSERTED, A PLASTIC SNAP-ON SLEEVE WILL BE INSTALLED AS A PRECAUTION TO PREVENT THE ROLL PINS FROM COMING OUT.
How other years compare
Check your exact Tracer by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1991 Mercury Tracer reliable?
NHTSA has 60 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1991 Mercury Tracer. The most complained-about area is electrical system (28% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1991 Mercury Tracer problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 119,384 miles or less.
Does the 1991 Mercury Tracer have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning suspension:front. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.