The 1988 Mercury Tracer has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 331,491 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seat belts. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SEAT BELTS95V1030111995-06-27265,000 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THAT LATCH IS…
SEAT BELTS89V0850001989-05-2266,300 affected
Defect
SOME LAP SHOULDER BELT RETRACTORS WERE BUILT WITH CERTAIN OUT OF TOLERANCE COMPONENTS.
Consequence
RETRACTORS MAY LOCK AT LOW BELT PULL OUT RATES, THISCOULD DISCOURAGE SEAT BELT USAGE.
Remedy
REPLACE FRONT LAP SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLIES, AS NECESSARY.
INCORRECT FUEL FILLER NECK ATTACHMENT SCREWS WERE USED TO ATTACH THE NECK TO THE REAR QUARTER PANELS.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A RATTLE BETWEEN THE FUELFILLER PIPE AND THE SURROUNDING BODY STRUCTURE.
Remedy
REPLACE INCORRECT SCREWS WITH NEW BOLT/WASHER ASSEMBLIES.
Complaints by component
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
3
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
2
2crashes1injuries
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2
1crashes
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
1
1fires
POWER TRAIN
1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
1
Total complaints22
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Both front seat belts' retractor mechnism have failed-they lock at low pull out rate. I called my local dealer and ford's customer service dept [REDACTED]/duane). I repeatly mentioned to them nhtsa's campaign id no: 89v085000 but both ford and my local dealer's service department told me that my…”
“This vehicle experienced the same exact problems as mentioned in manufacturer's recall 5577, seat belt retractor locked up at low belt pullout rates, which discouraged seat belt use. Dealership has advised consumer that this particular vehicle was not part of the recall due to vin. *ak”
“Passenger's side seat belt will not retract. *ak”
“Brake caliper seals failed causing fluid loss and brake failure.”
“Left rear wheel came off, causing loss of control.(ohio state police report)”
“Nose of crank broke.”
“Failure on the driver's and passenger's side seat belts, the shoulder belts do not lock.*ak”
“The halogen headlight bracket broke and it caused the light to fall under the bumper and it caused a fire. Tt”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE89037 Opened 1989-01-30 · closed 1989-05-25
SEATBELT RETRACTOR JAMS
SUMMARY:INABILITY TO CONVENIENTLY AND QUICKLY DEPLOY AND FASTENSEATBELTS MAY DISCOURAGE POTENTIAL USERS.FAILURE TO PROPERLY USE THESEATBELTS MAY INCREASE THE CHANCE AND/OR SEVERITY OF INJURY IN THEEVENT OF A COLLISION.===
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1988 Mercury Tracer as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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