3.6

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
35,208 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1997 Mercury Tracer:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #5

Feb 272006

Tracer 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 139,000 miles
1-car seemed to bottom out in the rear when 4 occupants were in car, also scraping noise. 2-checked car and found contact-coil springs rubbing against car, appeared to be out of the holder. Checked and found both rear springs broken. Springs provide vehicle stability, control and handling. 3-replaced both rear coil springs, I have both old springs. Instructions for installation of new springs have the springs installed 180 degrees from the position of the old springs. Tight coils up, oem was tight coils down.

- Monroe, CT, USA

problem #4

May 052003

Tracer 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,040 miles
The rear suspension springs were defective, which caused the vehicle to lean to the right, which caused difficulty in steering the vehicle. Fords symptom (14993) states springs possible to break if the paint wears off, the springs are subject to break. While driving the consumer heard noise in the rear and noticed a change in the steering. The vehicle also leaned to the right along with a change in the steering. The dealers stated that the suspension spring breakage was a common occurrence.

- Springfield, VA, USA

problem #3

Jan 172002

(reported on)

Tracer

  • miles
Consumer stated while driving, there was a cracking/squeaking noise and vehicle was handling loose/unstable, when vehicle was in for a 60,000 mile maintenance consumer was informed by dealership that the rear coils springs were broken.

- Georgetown, MA, USA

problem #2

Jan 172002

(reported on)

Tracer

  • miles
Consumer stated while driving, there was a cracking/squeaking noise and vehicle was handling loose/unstable, when vehicle was in for a 60,000 mile maintenance consumer was informed by dealership that the rear coils springs were broken.

- Georgetown, MA, USA

problem #1

May 262001

Tracer

  • miles
Both rear coil springs were rusted and broken near bottom.

- Manchester, MO, USA