1999 Mercury Tracer
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
Vehicles › Mercury › Tracer › 1999
These records cover every 1999 Mercury Tracer. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1999 Mercury Tracer. Newest first.
Certain trw driver's side seat belts manufactured on december 6 and 9, 2002, for use as replacement equipment for 1997 ford escort 4-door and station wagon platform vehicles, ford's p/n f7cz54611b09aac. the seat belt assemblies exhibit a no-lock condition which does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, seat belt assemblies.
Risk and remedy
Risk
In the event of a crash, the restraint system may not provide adequate protection to the seat occupant, which may increase the risk of personal injury.
Remedy
Trw will notify the customers who purchased the replacement seat belt assemblies free of charge. the recall began on august 27, 2004.
Owner complaints
20 complaints6 involved a crash2 involved a fire1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Structure
The trunk reflector plastic pegs broke and I've seen this on other tracers as well. we are unable to find another. if we were to go to a used car parts lot, most likely, they would break before we could pop one off. we are forced to use tape to hold it in place. the auto repair shop said that…
The trunk reflector plastic pegs broke and I've seen this on other tracers as well. we are unable to find another. if we were to go to a used car parts lot, most likely, they would break before we could pop one off. we are forced to use tape to hold it in place. the auto repair shop said that part couldn't be ordered anymore. yes, this IS an old car, but still, we should be able to drive on the freeway without our trunk reflector blowing off and causing an accident. the driver rear tail light IS doing the same thing too. the light works, but the plastic fittings break and the light could blow off as well--but it IS mostly intact at this time and I'm pretty sure I can buy another, however, at this time our tape does run from most of the reflector to the light as well. I just think they should make a trunk reflector that doesn't blow off. I don't care how old the car IS. *tr
- Electrical system › Horn
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 mercury tracer. the contact stated that the horn continues to fail. the horn has been replaced on numerous occasions. for the most recent replacement, the wiring connected to the air bag burned. the dealer wired a separate button for the contact to push in order to…
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 mercury tracer. the contact stated that the horn continues to fail. the horn has been replaced on numerous occasions. for the most recent replacement, the wiring connected to the air bag burned. the dealer wired a separate button for the contact to push in order to activate the horn. this remedy did not work properly and enabled the vehicle's alarm system. the contact does not know if the air bags are fully operable. the manufacturer has not responded. the current mileage was 100,605 and the failure mileage was unknown.
- Suspension › Rear › Springs
Broken rear springs. *nm
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
Had to replace both headlamp electrical connectors, due to melting from excess heat. *jb
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
The front plastic headlight lens are deteriorating, conditions are causing poor visibility while driving at night. Both lens was replaced and repaired by a local repair shop. The dealer was not notified. *nm...the two headlight lens became yellow and discolored. They did not provide adequate visibility at night. Replaced headlights at cost of $317.oo, including pennsylvania state tax. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
The engine stalled when the consumer attempted to start it .the consumer took the vehicle to the shop for an inspection and results showed that a new ignition switch was needed. *jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Vehicle would not start. vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that the engine failed due to a mechanical failure, and engine must be replaced. *ak
- Air bags · Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery · Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator · Parking brake · Power train › Automatic transmission · Power train › Axle assembly
We bought a 1999 mercury tracer used car on 04/2000, later the steering wheel started vibrating badly, this vibration can be felt thru out the car. The car has been in for repair 8 times. The service manager now says that this vibration IS normal. When we took it back sat in the car and said that…
We bought a 1999 mercury tracer used car on 04/2000, later the steering wheel started vibrating badly, this vibration can be felt thru out the car. The car has been in for repair 8 times. The service manager now says that this vibration IS normal. When we took it back sat in the car and said that he would not drive that car vibrating like that and he would not expect us to. . I asked if it was safe to drive, he said he could not answer that. My concern IS, with this severe vibration IS the steering column going to disconnect or lockup and cause severe bodily harm. If this problem IS "normal" then why isn't the consumer warned about this in their advertisements.from reading other nhtsa reports I see that other individuals have had steering problems due to lockup and breakage after reporting unusual vibrations in the steering column and engine. Tha last month my car broke down completed. I took to the midas and the manager said me the was all motor mounts and two front axxels, then I fixed did he told me it was everithing. And then I tooked because I'm still have the same problem then I tooked back to midas they checked for the four time then he told me the was the trasmission problem. I'm stiil have a problem. *Ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages · Vehicle speed control
When slowing down and coming to a complete stop with a bump in the road, the vehicle would accelerate. (the consumer's foot would be on the brake pedal) the dealer could not find the problem. the consumer stated that she has almost had accidents because of this. *slc *scc
- Air bags › Frontal
While traveling 40-45 mph and as a result of a rear end collision, air bags did not deploy at any time. Please provide further information. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring
Consumer stated the electrical headlamp electrical connector was replaced, due to excess heat.*jb
- Tires › Sidewall
Consumer took vehicle to a tire company, and left front tire was flat he put vehicle on rack, and noticed that all four tires were separating on sidewall. Kelly, springfield, p17565r14. *Ak
- Unknown or other
No summary listed for above vehicle. *Ak
- Electrical system › Starter assembly · Fuel system, other · Parking brake › Conventional › Mechanical › Linkage and cable · Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder · Visibility › Power window devices and controls
The master cylinder failed causing consumer to loose control of vehicle while parking in parking lot. nlm
- Suspension
We bought a 1999 mercury tracer brand new on 03-09-99, 6 months later the steering wheel started vibrating badly, this vibration can be felt thru out the car. The car has been in for repair 4 times. The service manager pete solic now says that this vibration IS normal. When we took it back the 3RD…
We bought a 1999 mercury tracer brand new on 03-09-99, 6 months later the steering wheel started vibrating badly, this vibration can be felt thru out the car. The car has been in for repair 4 times. The service manager pete solic now says that this vibration IS normal. When we took it back the 3RD time pete sat in the car and said that he would not drive that car vibrating like that and he would not expect us to. Well 4 repair attempts and 5 months later he still expects us to drive it because he now says it IS normal. I asked if it was safe to drive, he said he could not answer that. My concern IS, with this severe vibration IS the steering column going to disconnect or lockup and cause severe bodily harm. If this problem IS "normal" then why isn't the consumer warned about this in their advertisements.from reading other nhtsa reports I see that other individuals have had steering problems due to lockup and breakage after reporting unusual vibrations in the steering column and engine. *Ak
- Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module
Vehicle was sold new, however was previously owned and wrecked, the air bag sensors were missing from previous accident (sold fraudulently). *mjs
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch · Power train › Automatic transmission
Parked into a parking lot trying to put in reverse and won't go into gear right away when it did go in reverse it jerked and as a result hit a wall. Couln't get the key out of the iginition when in parked.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Right rear wheel locked up under light braking conditions. this happened on the gravel driveway and wet pavement. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
Brakes failed resulting in rear end collision. Mjs
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
While driving at 65mph steering wheel locked up, resulting in a collision. vehicle was totaled. dealer has been notified. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Air bag non-deployment
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10014086General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10014062Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair.
- 10013369General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures.
- 10013060Climate control a/c service tech tips.
- 10011159Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair.
- 10009870Trw vehicle safety systems, inc. IS recalling certain service replacement seatbelt retractors (driver's side front retractor in gray) manufactured in december 2002 and sold as a service replacement part between december 2002 and july 2004.
- 10009321Inoperative electric rear window defroster (heated backlite) grid lines, integral antenna concerns.
- 10008580Lamp-brake-invadvertent disabling of brake shift interlock.
- 10004886Malfunction indicator lamp illuminated with diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p0442, p0455, p0456, p0457 or p1442 or a check fuel cap lamp illuminated with dtc p0457 for the evaporative emission system.
- 10004027Remote keyless entry (rke) - service tips.
- 10003748New transmission cooler flusher - service tips. 2003 escort and super duty f series included.
- 10003194Idle vibration on vehicles equipped with 2.0L spi or zetec engine only.
- 10002780Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illumination with diagnostic trouble codes p0442, p0455, p0456, p0457, p1442 or check fuel cap lamp illuminated with diagnostic trouble code p0457.
- 6092659Some vehicles equipped with the 2.0L spi engine, with manual or automatic transmission, may exhibit an rpm fluctuation (idle rolll) or possible stall at idle.
- 6092008Some vehicles may exhibit a concern with engine idle vibration.
- 6092004Brief information regarding transmission fluid.
- 6091978Some vehicles may exhibit a malfunction indicator light on with a diagnostic trouble code p1744.
- 6091974Vehicles may exhibit transmission and / or malfunction indicator lamp on concerns relating to the diagnosis and replacement of the transmission ranger sensor (trs).
- 6091913Concerns with lack of heat / thermostat contamination.
- 6091734Information on installing fuses at pre-delivery.
- 6090812Vehicles equipped with the 2.0L spi engine with manual or automatic transmission may exhibit an rpm fluctuation (idle roll) or possible stall at idle.
- 6090731Some vehicles may exhibit a condition of the malfunction indicator light on and diagnostic trouble code p0455 (evaporative emission) in memory.
- 6090647Some vehicles may exhibit a condition of the malfunction indicator lamp light on and diagnostic trouble code p0455 in memory.
- 6090586Information regarding brake caliper pin corrosion. *Mjs
- 6090426Information regarding brake caliper pin corrosion. *Mjs
- 6090277Concerns with a malfunction indicator light on with a diagnostic trouble code p1744.
- 6090273Some vehicles may exhibit transmission and / or mil on concerns relating to the diagnosis and replacement of the transmission range sensor.
- 6090131Information on diagnosing a vehicle with malfunction indicator lamp illuminated and diagnostic trouble codes p0442 and p0455 stored in continuous memory.
- 6090087Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems.
- 6090082Information for servicing and diagnosing brake vibration, brake inspection, and brake friction material replacement.
- 6089681Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses.
- 636089Some vehicles equipped with the 2.0L spi engine may exhibit a malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illuminated and diagnostic trouble codes (dtc) p0300 through p0304 stored.
- 630515Engine oil system priming procedures, service tips for reports of premature engine failure.
- 630001Some engine assemblies with aluminum cylinder heads repaired in-vehile have been found to leak coolant and/or oil from the cylinder head gasket area.
- 625715Brake shift interlock.*jb
- 623988Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *Slc
- 623944Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *Slc
- 622804Some vehicles produced through july 1999 may exhibit rear suspension spring failure with no resulting operational concern.
- 619150Service action 00e11, supplement #1 - update information regarding on-board diagnostic system upgrade.
- 618643Vehicles may experience inoperative or incorrect a/c operation after replacing the ccrm.
Every Mercury Tracer model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.