Model year record

1997 MERCURY Tracer

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 181 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V323000

Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive

Component
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
396,217
Reported to NHTSA
2002-12-09
Owners notified
2003-02-11

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR (IABM) CAN BE CONTAMINATED WITH WATER OR OTHER LIQUIDS AND COULD EXPERIENCE INTERNAL ELECTRICAL SHORTING.

Safety risk

THIS MAY, IN TURN, CAUSE THE AIR BAG READINESS LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND IN VERY RARE OCCURRENCES, AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, MELTED WIRING, OR FIRE MAY OCCUR.

Manufacturer 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 AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags2158,941 mi
Air bags: frontal1482,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module10130,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline10
Engine and engine cooling: engine991,698 mi
Unknown or other9
Electrical system8
Electrical system: horn758,941 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash619,000 mi
Suspension: rear: springs537,040 mi
Air bags: side/window4
Tires469,093 mi
Visibility: windshield4
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly3
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads3
Tires: sidewall3
Tires: tread/belt3
Vehicle speed control351,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core3108,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly241,249 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder2
Steering2
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs283,500 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly2
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Electrical system: ignition1
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: ignition: switch1
Engine and engine cooling178,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner191,698 mi
Equipment: electrical1102,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights1
Exterior lighting: headlights1
Fuel system, diesel: storage: tank assembly1
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system191,698 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch116,000 mi
Power train1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1
Seat belts: front: anchorage1
Service brakes, hydraulic191,698 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Structure1
Structure: body: hood1
Suspension1
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs131,585 mi
Suspension: rear1181,675 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1
Wheels: rim1

The 1996 model has 12 times as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.