NHTSA — Air Bags Problems

1997 Mercury Tracer (Page 1 of 2)

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
21,356 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Mercury Tracer seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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1997 Mercury Tracer Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #21

Sep 152003

Tracer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving down at speed of 65-70 mph, the car ceased to accelorate. I pulled over to the side of the road, once the car was completely stopped it would no longer crank. Today when I went to clean it out (happened at night)I saw that a hole was burned through the bottom of the passenger side dash board. Also I noticed that there was smoke/fire residue on the windshield coming from the defrost vents. Before any of this happened the airbag ligts were coming on and there was a burnt plastic smell and a scent of ammonia smell coming from god-knows-where. When I looked under the hood everything looked normal. I have been unable to go to work for 2 days now. Please tell me if there is anything that I can do. Thanking you in advance for your assistance.

- Mcdonough, GA, USA

problem #20

Dec 182003

Tracer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles
While driving air bag light illuminated and vehicle stalled. Driver got the vehicle to the side of the road and vehicle caught on fire under the dashboard.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #19

Nov 062003

Tracer 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 119,800 miles
Two weeks ago my car (a 1997 Mercury Tracer) was involved in an car accident in kingman, (4 hours North West of phoenix). The cause of the accident was the fault of the air bags suddenly deploying without cause, causing extensive damage to my car. I then notified my insurance company and it was towed to a repair shop here in kingman. Later the next day while the repair shop was doing their investigation into the cause, the car burst into flames from the air bag compartment. A couple days later the insurance company notified me that there was a recall from Ford Motor Company of which I was never notified. Then confirming that to me that my car was in fact totaled, and they wished to remove the car from the repair shop. Earlier last week I sent an email to Ford motors telling of my disgust of the company because I was never notified on such a serious issue. On Friday 11/14 I received a call from Ford motors customer service asking for more information about the accident. At this time I am waiting for a response back from, what I assume, is their legal department.

- Kingman, AZ, USA

problem #18

Jul 172003

(reported on)

Tracer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

1997 Mercury Tracer has a defective horn and air bag. The horn and the air bag interfered with one another which caused the horn to randomly go off and periodically blew a fuse, and disable the horn and the air bag, two dealership's and a independent mechanic stated it was a manufacturing defect.

- Arbutus, MD, USA

problem #17

Feb 252003

Tracer 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,941 miles
Horn blows non stop until fuse is pulled. Brought to dealer and was told entire airbag had to be replaced.

- Saint Clair Shores, MI, USA

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problem #16

May 102002

Tracer

  • miles
The air bag unit failed prior to recall notification. The consumer requested reimbursement. Mr scc

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #15

Mar 282003

Tracer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The air bag light illuminated on the dash board.

- South Jordan, UT, USA

problem #14

Mar 182003

Tracer 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer received a recall letter in the mail but dealer still stated the vehicle was over warranty and refused to repair the vehicle (recall#02V323000 airbag).

- Albert Lea, MN, USA

problem #13

Dec 042002

Tracer

  • 54,541 miles
Horn blows continuously. Pulled fuse to stop. Told by dealer service department need to replace entire airbag assembly to rectify.

- Bethlehem, PA, USA

problem #12

Mar 222001

Tracer

  • 53,201 miles
The horn continuously blew, consumer had to disconnect the fuse to stop the horn from blowing. The dealership indicated the there was a short in the air bag monitor. 8jb

- Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

problem #11

Sep 222002

Tracer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

PE 02 010 & ea 02 008/ water ingestion into the air bag monitor, consumer states that the air bag light remain on while driving. Dealer notified and informed that the air abg monitor needed to be replaced. *mrthe part has been replaced.

- Oak Park, MI, USA

problem #10

Aug 252002

Tracer

  • miles
Consumer states that while driving at any speed and no warning the air bag light comes on and the air bag could be inoperative in the event of a vehicle accident. Dealer notified.

- Sterling Heights, MI, USA

problem #9

Aug 022002

Tracer

  • miles
While driving air bag light came on and vehicle broke down. Vehicle checked by dealer, who determined that air bag had damaged wire harness which resulted in breakdown.

- Anthem, AZ, USA

problem #8

Dec 212001

Tracer

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
The airbag light illuminated, and the vehicle began smoking and then caught on fire.(claim#18-0629-945)

- Monroe, LA, USA

problem #7

May 012002

(reported on)

Tracer

  • miles
While making a U turn and applying brakes, vehicle jumped curb and hit pole air bags didnot deploy. Vehicle totaled.

- Rahway, NJ, USA

problem #6

Dec 212001

Tracer

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
The airbag light illuminated, and the vehicle began smoking and then caught on fire.(claim#18-0629-945)

- Monroe, LA, USA

problem #5

Jan 132002

Tracer

  • miles
Horn went off without prior warning, and airbaglight came on dashboard. Airbag deployed. Dealership is aware of problem.

- West Covina, CA, USA

problem #4

Aug 122000

Tracer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer was inside of store when he heard horn going off. Consumer took vehicle to dealership. Mechanic told consumer that horn assembly was attached to airbag, and that airbag modular unit had to be replaced as one unit. Consumer stated that just by touching on horn lightly it would go off.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #3

Nov 021999

Tracer

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Manchester, PA, USA

problem #2

Jun 011999

Tracer

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Horn malfunctiond ( horn would continue to blow). Fuse was removed to stop it from sounding off. Dealer was notified, and informed consumer that the horn switch and air bag would have to be replaced. Can NHTSA share some light on this matter.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

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