Model year guide

1994 Mercury Tracer

Q: Does the 1994 Mercury Tracer have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1994 Mercury Tracer. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

Q: What is the 1994 Mercury Tracer safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 1994 Mercury Tracer crash-test ratings of frontal 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

Q: What gas mileage does the 1994 Mercury Tracer get?

The 1994 Mercury Tracer has U.S. EPA estimates of 23–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1994 Mercury Tracer is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 3 on record.

1994 Mercury Tracer at a glance

Safety recalls1

Owner complaints76

Combined23–29 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1994 Mercury Tracer recalls 1

Air Bags:frontal NHTSA Campaign #94V218000 · 10/11/1994

THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG MODULE CAN HAVE AN INADEQUATELY WELDED INFLATOR CANISTER.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW AIR BAG MODULE.

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.

1994 Mercury Tracer common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 76 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Seat Belts

Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.

Service Brakes

Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

Hydraulic

Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

Air Bags

Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.

Engine And Engine Cooling

Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.

Vehicle Speed Control

Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.

1994 Mercury Tracer safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★

Frontal — driver★★★★★

Frontal — passenger★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1994 Mercury Tracer 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

1994 Mercury Tracer MPG & running costs

Combined23–29 mpg

City23 mpg

Highway31 mpg

Est. annual fuel cost$2,625

EPA size classCompact Cars

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd

Passenger volume91 cu ft

Cargo volume12 cu ft

5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$1,125 more

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 1994 Mercury Tracer costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$13,125

Fuel only$13,125

Per mile$0.18

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.

Canadian recalls 1

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1994 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 1995

Source: 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.

1994 Mercury Tracer vehicles on record

1994 Mercury Tracer3MASM10J2SR602364 1994 Mercury Tracer3MARM10J2RR635812 1994 Mercury Tracer3MARM15JXRR626137

Other Mercury Tracer model years

1997 1995 1993 1991

1994 Mercury Tracer — frequently asked questions

Does the 1994 Mercury Tracer have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1994 Mercury Tracer. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1994 Mercury Tracer?

Across all 76 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are seat belts, service brakes, hydraulic.

What is the 1994 Mercury Tracer safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 1994 Mercury Tracer crash-test ratings of frontal 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 1994 Mercury Tracer get?

The 1994 Mercury Tracer has U.S. EPA estimates of 23–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.