VehicleVerdict

1995 Mercury Tracer problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 126 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.7 times the median Tracer year — the 1995 model ranks #2 of 17 Tracer years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 12 injuries in total across these filings.

Fuel System leads the complaint categories with 40 reports (32% of the total).

126

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

12

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1995 compare to other Tracer years?

Tracer NHTSA complaints by model year, 1995 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, 1995 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Tracer years to avoid →

What are the most common 1995 Mercury Tracer problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System4032%
Engine1613%
Seat Belts1210%
Electrical System108%
Speed Control86%
Brakes76%
Transmission54%
Suspension54%
Visibility & Wipers43%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)43%
Airbags43%
Steering32%
Lighting22%
Other22%
Seats11%
Tires & Wheels11%
Latches & Locks11%
Body & Structure11%

Does the 1995 Mercury Tracer have recalls?

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

97V144000Fuel SystemSeptember 3, 1997 · 64,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.9L ENGINES, BUILT AT THE HERMOSILLO OR WAYNE ASSEMBLY PLANTS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN NEVADA, FLORIDA, HAWAII, TEXAS, CALIFORNIA, LOUISIANA, GEORGIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, MISSISSIPPI, OKLAHOMA, ALABAMA AND ARKANSAS. CRACKS CAN DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TANK NEAR THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENT RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE IF THE CRACKS GO THROUGH THE FUEL TANK WALL.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENTS. THIS WILL NOT AFFECT HEAT SHIELD LOCATION OR FUNCTION, AS THE ATTACHMENTS ARE INTENDED TO KEEP THE SHIELD IN PLACE UNTIL THE FUEL TANK IS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSTALLATION, THE FUEL TANK STRAPS RETAIN THE HEAT SHIELD.

97V145000Fuel SystemSeptember 3, 1997 · 600 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.9L ENGINES, BUILT AT THE HERMOSILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ARIZONA. CRACKS CAN DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TANK NEAR THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENT RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE IF THE CRACKS GO THROUGH THE FUEL TANK WALL.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENTS. THIS WILL NOT AFFECT HEAT SHIELD LOCATION OR FUNCTION, AS THE ATTACHMENTS ARE INTENDED TO KEEP THE SHIELD IN PLACE UNTIL THE FUEL TANK IS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSTALLATION, THE FUEL TANK STRAPS RETAIN THE HEAT SHIELD.

94V218000AirbagsNovember 10, 1994 · 240 units

Defect

THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG MODULE CAN HAVE AN INADEQUATELY WELDED INFLATOR CANISTER.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THE WELD SEAM CAN SEPARATE, CAUSING THE AIR BAG TO FAIL TO DEPLOY PROPERLY AND HOT GASES TO BE EXPELLED FROM THE BACK OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS CAN RESULT IN AN INCREASED RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY FROM THE HOT GASES AND THE AIR BAG FAILURE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW AIR BAG MODULE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY TRACER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT GASOLINE WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE FOUND A FRACTURE IN THE FUEL TANK. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 97V145000 AND 97V144000, ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · March 10, 2009

“THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 1.9L ENGINE. THE #4 INTAKE VALVE SEAT DROPS, RESULTING IN THE NEED TO COMPLETELY REPLACE THE CYLINDER HEAD AND ALL ASSOCIATED PARTS. IE... VALVE SEATS, PISTON, PISTON RINGS, ROD BEARINGS AS WELL AS HAVING TO CONDUCT PRESSURE TESTS, HONE THE CYLINDERS & A VARIETY OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 10, 2005

“DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. BELT WOULD STOP THE MIDDLE OF TRACK, LEAVING DRIVER WITHOUT PROPER RETRAINT. ALSO, PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STOP OPERATING. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT REPAIRS WOULD BE DONE ONLY AT CONSUMER'S COST BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · May 1, 2000

“WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD STALL/ CUT OFF. WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON PANEL. VEHICLE WILL START BACK UP ON ITS OWN. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM . SERVICE MANAGER SHOULD BE NOTIFIED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 16, 2000

“WHEN VEHICLE WAS PUT IN REVERSE THE ENGINE REVVED. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY IN REVERSE AND COLLIDED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · April 20, 1998 · crash

1995 Mercury Tracer — common questions

Is the 1995 Mercury Tracer reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 126 complaints put the 1995 model at #2 of 17 Tracer years. It is one of the Tracer years to avoid.

What are the most common 1995 Tracer problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (40 complaints), engine (16 complaints), seat belts (12 complaints).

Does the 1995 Mercury Tracer have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1995 Mercury Tracer. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1995 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.