VehicleVerdict

1987 Mercury Tracer problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1987 Mercury Tracer — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1987 compare to other Tracer years?

Tracer NHTSA complaints by model year, 1987 highlighted181 complaints1987: 0 complaints1988: 22 complaints1989: 20 complaints1990: 2 complaints1991: 76 complaints1992: 26 complaints1993: 114 complaints1994: 81 complaints1995: 126 complaints1996: 15 complaints1997: 181 complaints1998: 57 complaints1999: 32 complaints2000: 2 complaints2001: 0 complaints2002: 0 complaints2003: 0 complaints
Tracer NHTSA complaints by model year, 1987 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Tracer years to avoid →

Does the 1987 Mercury Tracer have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

95V103011Seat BeltsJune 27, 1995 · 265,000 units

Defect

THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.

Consequence

THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THAT LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.

1987 Mercury Tracer — common questions

Is the 1987 Mercury Tracer reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

Does the 1987 Mercury Tracer have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1987 Mercury Tracer. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mercury Tracer years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Tracer years to avoid are 1997, 1995, 1993, 1994, 1991, 1998. The cleanest record among Tracer years belongs to 2003.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.