VehicleVerdict

1991 Mercury Tracer problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 76 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.5 times the median Tracer year — the 1991 model ranks #5 of 17 Tracer years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 21 reports (28% of the total).

76

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

11

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1991 compare to other Tracer years?

Tracer NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 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, 1991 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Tracer years to avoid →

What are the most common 1991 Mercury Tracer problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System2128%
Fuel System1621%
Seat Belts1013%
Engine79%
Transmission68%
Lighting34%
Brakes34%
Steering34%
Body & Structure23%
Suspension23%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Seats11%
Speed Control11%

Does the 1991 Mercury Tracer have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

94E019000SuspensionJune 2, 1994 · 919 units

Defect

THE OFFSET TOE ADJUSTING PIN CAN FRACTURE UNDER CONDITIONS SUCH AS TORSIONAL LOADS, FLEXING MOTION, IMPACT LOADS, AND OVERTORQUING.

Consequence

THIS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL ANDAN ACCIDENT.

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 ASSEMBLY. OWNER OR INSTALLER INQUIRIES CONCERNING THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN SHOULD CONTACT DANA SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-248-9606.

93V057000Electrical SystemApril 15, 1993 · 91,000 units

Defect

THE ROLL PINS SECURING THE IGNITION LOCK IN THE STEERING COLUMN HOUSING CAN SEPARATE OR MOVE OUT OF POSITION.

Consequence

THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER MAY DISENGAGE FROM THESTEERING COLUMN HOUSING WHICH COULD CAUSE THE STEERING COLUMN TO LOCK UP,RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.

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 MAINTAINED. IF BOTH PINS ARE PRESENT AND FULLY INSERTED, A PLASTIC SNAP-ON SLEEVE WILL BE INSTALLED AS A PRECAUTION TO PREVENT THE ROLL PINS FROM COMING OUT.

92V117000Fuel SystemAugust 19, 1992 · 22,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

SHOULD A CRACK DEVELOP, FUEL VAPOR CAN ESCAPE FROM THETANK WHEN THE TANK IS FULL, AND A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE CRACK.FUEL LEAKS CAN RESULT IN FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Remedy

INSTALL A NEW FUEL PUMP SENDING ASSEMBLY.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“1991 TRACER IS NEARLY IDENTICAL TO 1991 4-DOOR ESCORT AND USES THE SAME ELECTRICAL HARDWARE, PER CHILTON'S MANUALS. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR IGNITION SWITCH FIRES FOR ESCORTS (NHTSA 96V071000) FOR MODELS 8/87 TO 9/92, BUT THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF SUCH A RECALL AND THERE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 7, 2001 · fire

“(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. (2) A SHORTING CONNECTOR TO THE FUEL PUMP BURNED THE WIRE BUNDLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 5, 2004 · fire

“REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE, SLAMMED ON BRAKES, DID NOT STOP VEHICLE. FRONT /REAR SEAT BELTS FAILED, RESULTING IN INJURIES. OTHER VEHICLE FROM 985156. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · June 1, 1996 · crash

“DRIVING ABOUT 15 MILES W/WARM ENGINE, VEHICLE SUDDENLY, W/O WARNING, DIED ON INTERSTATE, COULD NOT GET VEHICLE TO START, TRIED TO START, NOTHING TURNED OVER, LIGHTS & RADIO STILL WORKING. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 17, 1997

“CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40 MPH ON A MAIN STREET AND CLUTCH PEDAL FELL OFF ON HIS LEG, AND VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL. BUT HE WAS ABLE TO BRING VEHICLE TO COMPLETE STOP. ARM OF CLUTCH WAS VERY SMALL. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS CASE SHOULD INVESTIGATED. *YH”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 21, 2001

1991 Mercury Tracer — common questions

Is the 1991 Mercury Tracer reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 76 complaints put the 1991 model at #5 of 17 Tracer years. It is one of the Tracer years to avoid.

What are the most common 1991 Tracer problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (21 complaints), fuel system (16 complaints), seat belts (10 complaints).

Does the 1991 Mercury Tracer have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1991 Mercury Tracer. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1991 Mercury Tracer under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

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.