1991 Mercury Tracer

● Typical for this model
1991 Mercury Tracer
RENDERED 2026-09-16T02:17:26.871Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Mercury Tracer Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1991 highlighted. 1988: 21 complaints 1988 1989: 16 complaints 1990: 2 complaints 1990 1991: 61 complaints 1991 1992: 24 complaints 1992 1993: 63 complaints 1994: 67 complaints 1994 1995: 96 complaints 1996: 12 complaints 1996 1997: 142 complaints 1998: 44 complaints 1998 1999: 20 complaints 2000: 2 complaints 2000 2001: 0 complaints 2002: 0 complaints 2002 2003: 0 complaints 2003
1991: 61 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19870
198821
198916
19902
199161
199224
199363
199467
199596
199612
1997142
199844
199920
20002
20010
20020
20030

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 33%

33% of complaints: electrical system — 20 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing switch and ignition.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE PARKED, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE BECAUSE OF WIRING PROBLEMS IN THE FRONT END. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19960304

WHILE PARKED, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE BECAUSE OF WIRING PROBLEMS IN THE FRONT END. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19960304

INADEQUATE REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS FOR FUEL PUMP FUSE RECALL. *SKD

NHTSA ODI report, 19941223

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 21%

21% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 13 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tank assembly and fuel pump.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

(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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20050822

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20020910

SEAT BELTS 16%

16% of complaints: seat belts — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing webbing and retractor.

CRASH INJURY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 11%

11% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIRE
POWER TRAIN 8%

8% of complaints: power train — 5 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing manual transmission and pedal/hand lever(motorcycle).

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19921106 — fuel system, gasoline

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.

Campaign 92V117000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19930625 — electrical system

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

Campaign 93V057000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19940128 — EA (closed 19950131)

FUEL PUMP WIRING SHORTAGE

R 19940531 — suspension

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 ASSE

Campaign 94E019000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1991 Mercury Tracer — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (20 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (13 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (10 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 92V117000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 93V057000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 94E019000 (suspension) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1998 ● 1993 ● 1994

WORST YEARS

■ 1997 ◆ 1995 ● 1994

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1991 Mercury Tracer reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1991 Mercury Tracer is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1991 Mercury Tracer?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1991 Mercury Tracer have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-15 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.