Model year guide

1997 Mercury Tracer

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1997 Mercury Tracer is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1997 Mercury Tracer — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1997 Mercury Tracer at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints159
Combined26–28 mpg

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

1997 Mercury Tracer recalls 2

Seat Belts:front NHTSA Campaign #04E048000 · 12/07/2004

CERTAIN TRW DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS MANUFACTURED ON DECEMBER 6 AND 9, 2002, FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 1997 FORD ESCORT 4-DOOR AND STATION WAGON PLATFORM VEHICLES, FORD'S P/N F7CZ54611B09AAC. THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES EXHIBIT A NO-LOCK CONDITION WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES.

Fix: TRW WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS WHO PURCHASED THE REPLACEMENT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 27, 2004.

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive NHTSA Campaign #02V323000 · manufacturer #02S44 · 09/12/2002

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR (IABM) CAN BE CONTAMINATED WITH WATER OR OTHER LIQUIDS AND COULD EXPERIENCE INTERNAL ELECTRICAL SHORTING.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE SHIELD OVER THE IABM AND APPLY NYOGEL GREASE TO THE CONNECTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 11, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD A…

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 7 Oct 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.

1997 Mercury Tracer common problems

Owners have filed 159 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

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.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.

1997 Mercury Tracer MPG & running costs

Combined26–28 mpg
City24 mpg
Highway33 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,500
EPA size classCompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume87 cu ft
Cargo volume13 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$500 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 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 1997 Mercury Tracer costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$12,500
Fuel only$12,500
Per mile$0.17

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.

1997 Mercury Tracer trims & engines on record

Trims
LS
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl 104 hp

1997 Mercury Tracer vehicles on record

1997 Mercury Tracer 1997 Mercury Tracer LS1MELM13PXVW632104

Other Mercury Tracer model years

1995

1997 Mercury Tracer — frequently asked questions

Does the 1997 Mercury Tracer have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1997 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 free.

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Mercury Tracer?

Owners have filed 159 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, engine and engine cooling, electrical system.

What gas mileage does the 1997 Mercury Tracer get?

The 1997 Mercury Tracer has U.S. EPA estimates of 26–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

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