1991 Mercury Tracer
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1991 Mercury Tracer is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 2 on record.
1991 Mercury Tracer at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1991 Mercury Tracer recalls 3
THE OFFSET TOE ADJUSTING PIN CAN FRACTURE UNDER CONDITIONS SUCH AS TORSIONAL LOADS, FLEXING MOTION, IMPACT LOADS, AND OVERTORQUING.
Fix: DANA WILL PAY FOR REPLACEMENT AND LABOR COSTS OF THE ADJUSTMENT PIN WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE INSTALLING FACILITY AND THE VEHICLE OWNER. THESE PINS SHOULD BE REPLACED BY A FORD ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT PIN ASSEMBLY. OWNER OR INSTALLER INQUIRIES CONCERNING THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN SHOULD CONTACT DANA SERVICE CENT…
THE ROLL PINS SECURING THE IGNITION LOCK IN THE STEERING COLUMN HOUSING CAN SEPARATE OR MOVE OUT OF POSITION.
Fix: IF ONE OR BOTH OF THE ROLL PINS ARE MISSING OR NOT FULLY INSERTED, THE IGNITION LOCK HOUSING WILL BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH THE DOOR-LOCKS AND THE LIFTGATE OR DECK-LID LOCKS SO THAT KEY COMPATIBILITY IS MAINTAINED. IF BOTH PINS ARE PRESENT AND FULLY INSERTED, A PLASTIC SNAP-ON SLEEVE WILL BE INSTALLE…
FATIGUE CRACKS CAN DEVELOP IN THE SOLDER JOINT BETWEEN THE FUEL RETURN TUBE AND THE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT LOCATED AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK.
Fix: INSTALL A NEW FUEL PUMP SENDING ASSEMBLY.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1991 Mercury Tracer common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 67 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1991 Mercury Tracer MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1991 Mercury Tracer costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1991 Mercury Tracer. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 1
FUEL PUMP WIRING SHORTAGE Closed
NHTSA #EA94002 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Jan 1994 · closed Jan 1995An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 55
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 55.
THIS ARITLCE IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON REPLACEMENT OF OLD STYLE HOOD LAMP SWITCH TO THE RVISED MECHANICAL HOOD LAMP SWITCH. *TT
Bulletin 01194 · Electrical System · Oct 2001SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC
Bulletin 01156 · Visibility · Aug 2001INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC
Bulletin 01157 · Aug 2001SOME VEHICLES PRODUCED THROUGH JULY 1999 MAY EXHIBIT REAR SUSPENSION SPRING FAILURE WITH NO RESULTING OPERATIONAL CONCERN. *TT
Bulletin 14993 · Suspension · Jun 2001SUBJECT PERTAINING TO REVISED DOOR LATCH SWITCH SERVICE PROCEDURE. *JB
Bulletin 00187 · Latches/locks/linkages · Sep 2000THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES REVISED PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE WORKSHOP MANUAL AND THE ELECTRICAL AND VACCUM TROUBLESHOOTING MANUAL (EVTM). *TT
Bulletin 00124 · Seat Belts · Jun 2000SUBJECT REGARDING PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM SERVICE INFORMATION. *TT
Bulletin 001204 · Seat Belts · Jun 2000INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS
Bulletin 0015 · Power Train · Jan 2000SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT GRINDING NOISE, OR GREATER THAN NORMAL BRAKE ROUGHNESS, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES IMMEDIATELY AFTER INSTALLING MOTORCRAFT FRONT BRAKE PAD PART NUMBER BR-18 (XU2Z-2V001-RA). *T
Bulletin 7369 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Nov 1999SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT
Bulletin 99222 · Electrical System · Oct 1999Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the TRACER. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 3
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1991 Mercury Tracer. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Electrical
NOTE: VEHICLES LOCATED IN ONTARIO, QUEBEC AND THE ATLANTIC PROVINCES. THE FUEL PUMP WIRING ASSEMBLY MAY CORRODE DUE TO ROAD SALT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL BRIDGE DEVELOPING BETWEEN THE FUEL PUMP ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT AND THE FUEL GAUGE SENDER TERMINALS. THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL SENDER GROUND CIRCUIT TO OVERHEAT THE WIRING AND MELT ITS INSULATION PRIOR TO THE OPENING OF…
Transport Canada #1995031 · Feb 1995Steering
ON VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION, THE ROLL PINS SECURING THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER IN THE STEERING COLUMN HOUSING MAY NOT REMAIN IN PLACE. THIS COULD CAUSE THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER TO DISENGAGE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN HOUSING WHICH COULD RESULT IN STEERING COLUMN LOCK-UP AND LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND IF ROLL PINS ARE PRESENT AN…
Transport Canada #1993078 · Jun 1993Fuel System
FATIGUE CRACKS MAY DEVELOP IN THE SOLDER JOINT BETWEEN THE FUEL RETURN TUBE AND THE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT LOCATED ON THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THIS WOULD ALLOW FUEL VAPOURS TO ESCAPE FROM THE TANK AND WHEN THE TANK IS 7/8 OR MORE FULL, A SMALL AMOUNT OF LIQUID FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE CRACK PRESENTING A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. NOTE: FOR ESCORT MODELS ONLY GT AND LXE LINES INVOLVE…
Transport Canada #1992121 · Sep 1992Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Mercury Tracer
The Mercury Tracer is a compact car that was marketed by Mercury from the 1987 to 1999 model years. The replacement for the Mercury Lynx, the Tracer was also sold as a three-door and five-door hatchback and a five-door station wagon; a four-door sedan was introduced for the second generation. Three generations of the model line were produced, with the second two serving as the counterpart of the Ford Escort.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.