Model Year Problem Record

Mercury Tracer 1997 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1997 Mercury Tracer: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

142Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

1Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

2Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

45Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Engine22

Brakes15

Vehicle Speed Control5

Seat Belts4

Fuel and Propulsion System4

Latches, Locks and Linkages1

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Air Bags48 complaints

48 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 02V323000.

Engine22 complaints

22 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System22 complaints

22 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

02V323000Reported December 9, 2002 - 396,217 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on December 9, 2002. The campaign covers an estimated 396,217 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA02008Opened June 10, 2002 - Closed December 11, 2002

WATER INTRUSION INTO AIRBAG MONITOR. Resulted in recall campaign 02V323000.

PE02010Opened January 30, 2002 - Closed June 10, 2002

INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR WATER. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

19961

19979

199815

199921

200011

200123

200215

200327

200410

20052

20062

20072

20081

20103

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.