1995 Mercury Tracer: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 96 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is fuel system, gasoline (35% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 1997
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 96 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1995 mercury tracer. While driving 30 mph, the contact smelled fuel inside the vehicle. Once the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a leak on the ground and the fuel gauge decreased from a full tank to half of a tank. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 97v144000 (fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1995 mercury tracer. While parked, the contact noticed an overpowering fuel smell. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered a fuel leak. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostics where the technician stated that the fuel tank was fractured and would have to be replaced. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 97v144000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly) but was advised by the manufacturer that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 109,600.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1995 mercury tracer. The contact stated that when the vehicle was in operation or stationary, a strong odor of gasoline fuel emitted inside and outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was diagnosed by a certified mechanic who advised that the fuel tank was fractured as a result to a faulty heat shield bracket. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 97v144000 (fuel system, gasoline, storage; tank assembly) but the vehicle was ineligible for repairs due to the vehicle not being originally sold or currently registered in the states mentioned in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage and VIN were unavailable.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Mar 2011
Show 7 more owner reports
“Fuel tank leak (strong odor - no visible leakage) odor detectable in garage and outside ford says there is no recall required and will not correct the leak. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Apr 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1995 mercury tracer. The contact stated that gasoline was leaking from the vehicle. Upon further inspection, he found a fracture in the fuel tank. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id numbers 97v145000 and 97v144000, although the failures were identical. The failure and current mileages were less than 116,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Mar 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1995 mercury tracer. The contact stated that his gas tank was leaking fuel. He parked his vehicle and a puddle of gas leaked out. Cracks can develop in the fuel tank near the heat shield attachment, resulting in fuel leakage if the cracks go through the fuel tank wall. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 97v144000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly). The failure mileage was 142,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Oct 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1995 mercury tracer. While driving 30 mph, the contact smelled gasoline. He stated that NHTSA campaign id numbers 97v144000 and 97v145000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly) mentioned the same failures. The vehicle has not been diagnosed. The VIN was unknown. The current mileage was 143,300 and failure mileage was 143,296. Updated 09/24/08. *lj updated 09/30/08.*jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2008
“The plastic fuel tank has cracked as described in the campaign id 97v144000. Putting in anymore than 3 gallons of gas in the tank causes it to leak and has progressively gotten worse. Unfortunately, the ford dealership states that they are unable to repair this under the recall. The vehicle is currently not usable due to the leaking fuel and at an estimated $800 to repair this manufacturers defect, I am out a vehicle for an undetermined amount of time. I feel that it was unfair for this recall not to include all vehicles of the same gas tank design, which has caused this failure, to be included in the recall. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · May 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1995 mercury tracer. While driving 65 mph, the contact detected a gas odor inside and outside the vehicle. The mechanic stated that there was a crack in the fuel tank. According to the manufacturer, recall # 97v145000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly) does not apply to his VIN. The contact felt that his vehicle should be included in the recall. The current and failure mileages were 50,471.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jun 2007
“I smelled gasoline in my garage on tuesday june 11. Laying between the cars I found several steady drips from the fuel tank. I pushed the car out of the garage and two days later it had leaked to a level for the leak to stop. I contacted ford/merc. Motor co. About the existing recall , notes:mercury tracer 97s79,for the potential units affected 64000 vehicles. Even though I had a serious potential for a house fire I was told that my VIN did not qualify for the recall. I was further told to get it fixed by a for dealer and they may review the data in the future. I am looking for immediate relief for this problem. Can you help? *jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jun 2006
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.9L ENGINES, BUILT AT THE HERMOSILLO OR WAYNE ASSEMBLY PLANTS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN NEVADA, FLORIDA, HAWAII, TEXAS, CALIFORNIA, LOUISIANA, GEORGIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, MISSISSIPPI, OKLAHOMA, ALABAMA AND ARKANSAS. CRACKS CAN DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TANK NEAR THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENT RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE IF THE CRACKS GO THROUGH THE FUEL TANK WALL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENTS. THIS WILL NOT AFFECT HEAT SHIELD LOCATION OR FUNCTION, AS THE ATTACHMENTS ARE INTENDED TO KEEP THE SHIELD IN PLACE UNTIL THE FUEL TANK IS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSTALLATION, THE FUEL TANK STRAPS RETAIN THE HEAT SHIELD.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.9L ENGINES, BUILT AT THE HERMOSILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ARIZONA. CRACKS CAN DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TANK NEAR THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENT RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE IF THE CRACKS GO THROUGH THE FUEL TANK WALL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENTS. THIS WILL NOT AFFECT HEAT SHIELD LOCATION OR FUNCTION, AS THE ATTACHMENTS ARE INTENDED TO KEEP THE SHIELD IN PLACE UNTIL THE FUEL TANK IS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSTALLATION, THE FUEL TANK STRAPS RETAIN THE HEAT SHIELD.
THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG MODULE CAN HAVE AN INADEQUATELY WELDED INFLATOR CANISTER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW AIR BAG MODULE.
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 1995 Mercury Tracer reliable?
NHTSA has 96 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1995 Mercury Tracer. The most complained-about area is fuel system, gasoline (35% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1995 Mercury Tracer problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 85,500 miles or less.
Does the 1995 Mercury Tracer have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly. 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.