Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1988 Mercury Tracer, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Seat belts7
- Power train3
- Engine and engine cooling3
- Vehicle speed control2
- Wheels1
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
- Exterior lighting1
- Electrical system1
- Seats1
- Service brakes, air1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 1 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 1988 Mercury Tracer.
| 1995106 13 Jun 1995 | Seats And Restraints DEFECT: THE (Takata) ABS PLASTIC FRONT SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTONS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY BREAK ALLOWING PLASTIC PIECES TO FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. IF THIS… |
| 1989123 8 Sept 1989 | Seats And Restraints THE FRONT SEAT LAP-SHOULDER BELT RETRACTORS MAY LOCK REPEATEDLY AT LOW BELT PULL-OUT RATES THEREBY DISCOURAGING PEOPLE FROM USING THE SEAT BELT. CORRECTION: L… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
SOME LAP SHOULDER BELT RETRACTORS WERE BUILT WITH CERTAIN OUT OF TOLERANCE COMPONENTS.
INCORRECT FUEL FILLER NECK ATTACHMENT SCREWS WERE USED TO ATTACH THE NECK TO THE REAR QUARTER PANELS.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Mercury told its dealers about the 1988 Mercury Tracer: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 623988 | INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC |
| 612203 | INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS |
| 6090087 | INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT |
| 601312 | INFORMATION ON A BUZZING OR RATTLE NOISE FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *TT |
| 601290 | INFORMATION ON TIRE COMPANY TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. *YC |
| 601269 | ANNOUNCING THE FORD OEM AIR CONDITIONING RETROFIT KIT AVAILABILITY. *YC |
| 601238 | INFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC |
| 601012 | THE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE. *YC |
| 51945 | FLUID- TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *JD |
| 50997 | TRANSAXLE - TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES AND TORQUE CONVERTER/TRANSAXLE COOLING SYSTEM CLEANING PROCEDURES - SERVICE TIP. *TW |
| 50940 | WINDSHIELD AND INTERIOR GLASS - FOG/FILM. *TW |
| 50905 | WIRING - ELECTRICAL DIODE IDENTIFICATION AND SERVICE REPLACEMENTS. *TW |
| 46478 | THE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE BECAUSE IT MAY BE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE RUBBER MATERIAL USED IN THE DISC BRAKE SYSTEM. IF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE IS USED TO LUBRICATE ANY PART OF THE DISC BRAKE SYSTEM, IT COULD CAUSE RUBBER PARTS TO SWELL IF LUBRICANT CONTACTS THE RUBBER MATERIAL. |
| 39900 | ROUGHNESS CONCERN DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. *TW |
| 3031500 | UNKNOWN |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
SEATBELT RETRACTOR JAMS
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation