1996 Mercury Tracer Recalls

No recalls on record Updated July 2026

No NHTSA recalls on record for the 1996 Mercury Tracer. That means NHTSA has no open safety campaign for this vehicle — it does not guarantee the absence of problems. Owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
3
2crashes1injuries
SEAT BELTS
2
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
2
2crashes9injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
1
POWER TRAIN
1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
1
1crashes1injuries
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
1
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
1
1crashes1injuries
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
1
Total complaints15

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Dt*: the contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine made a loud knocking noise. The contact immediately turned off the engine and the noise stopped. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop for inspection. The mechanic replaced the engine seat, cylinder head, and…”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · reported 2006-02-07

“While driving driving 55 mph consumer lost control and went into a ditch. Air bags did deploy and explode. Contact dealer, and dealer has not responded.*ak consumer also stated that seat belt came loose.*jb”

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · reported 2001-07-22

“While driving driving 55 mph consumer lost control and went into a ditch. Air bags did deploy and explode. Contact dealer, and dealer has not responded.*ak consumer also stated that seat belt came loose.*jb”

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE · reported 2001-07-22

“While driving driving 55 mph consumer lost control and went into a ditch. Air bags did deploy and explode. Contact dealer, and dealer has not responded.*ak consumer also stated that seat belt came loose.*jb”

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM · reported 2001-07-22

“The drivers side motorbelt failed. Nlm”

SEAT BELTS · reported 1999-09-01

“Speedometer dial assembly failed. Nlm”

POWER TRAIN · reported 1999-09-01

“On 6-25-99 we were involved in an accident. We were at a complete stop when another driver rear-ended us going about 35-40miles per hour. At impact both front seats latch broke and the seats slid back and rested in the laps of my 3 children seated in the back. The drivers seat also seemed to…”

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER · reported 1999-06-25

“Retractor on driver's side locks up, and when door is opened it slides quickly back. *ak”

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR · reported 1998-12-01
Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1996 Mercury Tracer as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.