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Research · Compact Cars

1996 Mercury TracerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 17 owner complaints for the 1996 Mercury Tracer. Most complaints involve air bags (5) and steering (3). The EPA rates it 22–30 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
22–30mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
17
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,100est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 1996 Mercury Tracer as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

17 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 1997 – Feb 2006
  1. Air bags5
  2. Steering3
  3. Seat belts3
  4. Seats2
  5. Engine and engine cooling1
  6. Fuel system, gasoline1
  7. Power train1
  8. Vehicle speed control1
  9. Structure1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Tracer model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199617
1997145
199849
199929
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
11
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

5 reports2 crashes
“WHILE DRIVING DRIVING 55 MPH CONSUMER LOST CONTROL AND WENT INTO A DITCH. AIR BAGS DID DEPLOY AND EXPLODE. CONTACT DEALER, AND DEALER HAS NOT RESPONDED.*AK CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT SEAT BELT CAME LOOSE.*JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 6, 2001Steering, Air bags, Seat beltsCrash reportedODI 893567

Steering

3 reports1 crash
“POWER STEERING FAILED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 4, 1997SteeringODI 605505

Seat belts

3 reports1 crash
“RETRACTOR ON DRIVER'S SIDE LOCKS UP, AND WHEN DOOR IS OPENED IT SLIDES QUICKLY BACK. *AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 24, 2001Seat beltsODI 878964
All 1996 Tracer problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars, Small Station Wagons
Engines
1.9L 4-cyl · 1.8L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Tracer
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263530$2,100296
Tracer Wagon
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263530$2,100296
Tracer
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L · Front-Wheel Drive
222925$2,500355
Tracer Wagon
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L · Front-Wheel Drive
222925$2,500355
Tracer
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
222824$2,600370
Tracer
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202722$2,850404
  • Tracer
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L
    26 city · 35 hwy · $2,100/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Tracer Wagon
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L
    26 city · 35 hwy · $2,100/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Tracer
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L
    22 city · 29 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Tracer Wagon
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L
    22 city · 29 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Tracer
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    22 city · 28 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Tracer
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1996 Mercury Tracer as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 3522
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1996 Tracer questions

How many recalls does the 1996 Mercury Tracer have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 10, 2026.

What are the most common 1996 Mercury Tracer problems?

Owners filed 17 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (5), steering (3), seat belts (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1996 Mercury Tracer get?

The EPA rates the 1996 Mercury Tracer at 22–30 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026