1988 Mercury Tracer Recalls, Complaints & Specs
3 safety recalls list the 1988 Mercury Tracer, and owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
3 safety recalls for the 1988 Mercury Tracer
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Buckle assembly (seat belts)
The front safety belt buckle release buttons can break. These red plastic release buttons are marked "press." if a button breaks, pieces can fall into the buckle assembly causing the buckle to operate improperly.
Remedy: Owners should promptly check the condition and operation of both front safety belt buckles and carefully inspect the red release button for any breaks or cracks. They should ensure that both buckles are operating…
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Retractor (seat belts)
Some lap shoulder belt retractors were built with certain out of tolerance components.
Remedy: Replace front lap shoulder belt assemblies, as necessary.
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Filler pipe and cap (fuel system)
Incorrect fuel filler neck attachment screws were used to attach the neck to the rear quarter panels.
Remedy: Replace incorrect screws with new bolt/washer assemblies.
21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1988 Mercury Tracer have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA; 4 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. Reports cite 1 injury and 0 deaths. Complaints peaked in 1995 with 8 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Both front seat belts' retractor mechnism have failed-they lock at low pull out rate. I called my local dealer and ford's customer service dept (800-392-3673/duane). I repeatly mentioned to them NHTSA”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 5, 2001 · Seat belts
“This vehicle experienced the same exact problems as mentioned in manufacturer's recall 5577, seat belt retractor locked up at low belt pullout rates, which discouraged seat belt use. Dealership has ad”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 28, 2000 · Seat belts
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1988 Mercury Tracer (Tracer Wagon). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 24–27 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 22–24 / 26–32 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Compact Cars, Small Station Wagons |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 1.6 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 3-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Mercury Tracer model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Mercury Tracer model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 Mercury Tracer | 1 | 0 |
| 1988 Mercury Tracer | 3 | 21 |
| 1989 Mercury Tracer | 1 | 16 |
| 1990 Mercury Tracer | 0 | 2 |
| 1991 Mercury Tracer | 2 | 60 |
| 1992 Mercury Tracer | 1 | 24 |
| 1993 Mercury Tracer | 0 | 62 |
| 1994 Mercury Tracer | 1 | 66 |
| 1995 Mercury Tracer | 3 | 96 |
| 1996 Mercury Tracer | 0 | 12 |
| 1997 Mercury Tracer | 1 | 142 |
| 1998 Mercury Tracer | 0 | 44 |
| 1999 Mercury Tracer | 0 | 20 |
| 2000 Mercury Tracer | 0 | 2 |
Checking a specific 1988 Mercury Tracer
How do I know if my 1988 Mercury Tracer has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 1988 Mercury Tracer; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Mercury dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 87V092000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Mercury models
- Sable5,381 complaints
- Grand Marquis3,951 complaints
- Milan2,519 complaints
- Mountaineer1,992 complaints
- Cougar1,893 complaints
- Villager1,725 complaints
- Mariner1,296 complaints
- Mystique1,019 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.