MYRModel Year Report

1997 Mercury Tracer

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1997 Mercury Tracer
RENDERED 2026-11-01T11:37:38.236Z

This year had more than double the complaints 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
142
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

34% of complaints

Complaints per year

1988: 21 complaints 1988 1989: 16 complaints 1990: 2 complaints 1990 1991: 61 complaints 1992: 24 complaints 1992 1993: 63 complaints 1994: 67 complaints 1994 1995: 96 complaints 1996: 12 complaints 1997: 142 complaints 1997 142 1998: 44 complaints 1999: 20 complaints 2000: 2 complaints 2000 2001: 0 complaints 2002: 0 complaints 2002 2003: 0 complaints
1988: 21 complaints 1988 1989: 16 complaints 1989 1990: 2 complaints 1990 1991: 61 complaints 1991 1992: 24 complaints 1992 1993: 63 complaints 1993 1994: 67 complaints 1994 1995: 96 complaints 1995 1996: 12 complaints 1996 1997: 142 complaints 1997 142 1998: 44 complaints 1998 1999: 20 complaints 1999 2000: 2 complaints 2000 2001: 0 complaints 2001 2002: 0 complaints 2002 2003: 0 complaints 2003
1988: 21 complaints 1988 1989: 16 complaints 1989 1990: 2 complaints 1990 1991: 61 complaints 1991 1992: 24 complaints 1992 1993: 63 complaints 1993 1994: 67 complaints 1994 1995: 96 complaints 1995 1996: 12 complaints 1996 1997: 142 complaints 1997 142 1998: 44 complaints 1998 1999: 20 complaints 1999 2000: 2 complaints 2000 2001: 0 complaints 2001 2002: 0 complaints 2002 2003: 0 complaints 2003

1997: 142 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.

Air bags

34% · 48 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The vehicle was involved in a frontal collision, and the air bags failed to deploy. The consumer was injured. *jb four days after the accident the consumer received a recall letter. Recall# 02V323000…

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-04-04

Horn blows continuously. Pulled fuse to stop. Told by dealer service department need to replace entire airbag assembly to rectify.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-03-15

When the brakes were applied, the front air bags deployed, consumer was injured.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-03-06

Engine and engine cooling

15% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While the vehicle has been parked for 12 hours when it caught on fire for no apparent reason. No prior problems with the vehicle. Currently at the dealer. Cause unknown. Please provide details.

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-09-22

Electrical system

15% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing horn and interior/under dash.

FIREINJURY

Service brakes

11% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

Suspension

8% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing springs and coil springs.

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    1997Complaint volume 142 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2002-01-30Preliminary evaluationClosed 2002-06-10 Integrated air bag monitor water
  3. I
    2002-06-10Engineering analysisClosed 2002-12-11 Water intrusion into airbag monitor
  4. R
    2003-02-11Air bags02V323000 On certain passenger vehicles, the integrated air bag monitor (Iabm) can be contaminated with water or other liquids and could experience internal electrical shorting.

    Remedy: Dealers will install the shield over the iabm and apply nyogel grease to the connector. Owner notification began February 11, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2004-08-27Seat belts04E048000 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…

    Remedy: Trw will notify the customers who purchased the replacement seat belt assemblies free of charge. The recall began on August 27, 2004.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1997 Mercury Tracer — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 48 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 22 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 22 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 02V323000 · Air bags
  • Recall 04E048000 · Seat belts
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years1 year

Worst years1 year

FAQ

Is the 1997 Mercury Tracer reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Mercury Tracer is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Mercury Tracer?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 34% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Mercury Tracer have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.