MYRModel Year Report

1998 Mercury Tracer

▲ Better than typical
1998 Mercury Tracer
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:56:26.737Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than 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
44
Recalls
1

Campaigns on file for 1998

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Suspension

25% 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 1996 1997: 142 complaints 1998: 44 complaints 1998 44 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 1998: 44 complaints 1998 44 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 1998: 44 complaints 1998 44 1999: 20 complaints 1999 2000: 2 complaints 2000 2001: 0 complaints 2001 2002: 0 complaints 2002 2003: 0 complaints 2003

1998: 44 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.

Suspension

25% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing springs and coil springs.

Engine and engine cooling

23% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and cooling system.

Electrical system

14% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing horn and starter assembly.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Had parked vehicle. Noticed vehicle making noises prior to being parked. Dashboard panel lights came on. Lifted hood & got flashlight. Returned & vehicle was engulfed in flames around the starter & dashboard area.

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-04-05

The horn started blowing on its on.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-02-21

Air bags

11% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While driving 70 MPH the consumer lost control of her 1998 Mercury Tracer and collided head on into a guardrail. Neither of the frontal air bags deployed. *nm the entire front end was smashed into the engine.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-03-18

Vehicle was involved in a 20-25 MPH frontal collision in which the driver and passenger air bags did not deploy, cause unknown.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-01-28

Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision. Upon impact, airbags did not deploy, resulting in minor injuries.

NHTSA ODI report, 2000-06-20

Power train

9% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and driveshaft.

Safety timeline

1 recall · 1 investigation · oldest first

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

  1. I
    2001-04-19Defect petitionClosed 2001-11-01 Air bag non-deployment
  2. 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

1998 Mercury Tracer — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Suspension: 11 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 10 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 6 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04E048000 · Seat belts
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Worst years2 years

FAQ

Is the 1998 Mercury Tracer reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Mercury Tracer is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Mercury Tracer?
The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Mercury Tracer have?
1 recall on file for this model year.

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