Tl*the contact owns a 1997 mercury tracer. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost power and the contact pulled to the side of the road. He lifted the hood and noticed flames coming from the engine. He extinguished the fire and had the vehicle towed to a junkyard. The contact later sold the vehicle to the junkyard for $100. The dealer stated that because he no longer owned the vehicle, they could not investigate the failure. The failure and current mileages were 78,000. Updated 04/16/08 *bf updated 04/16/08
Mercury Tracer fire or smoke problems
20 of the 528 owner complaints about the Mercury Tracer describe fire, smoke or burning smell, most of them for the 1997 model year.
- owner complaints
- 20
- worst model year
- 1997
- typical mileage
- 107,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 19981
- 19979
- 19951
- 19943
- 19931
- 19914
- 19901
Often reported together
What owners say
This car is a ford mercury tracer, 1997, VIN #1melm10p2vw6246 there was a smell of burning acid and a small amount of smoke. About two hours later the car burst in flames we lost the entire interior.
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. *ak
1993 mercury tracer, 1.9l sohc. Ignition caught on fire. Burnt up everything including the starter, ignition switch, start safety switch. This caused smoke in the cab and engine compartment. Then when I pulled the key out and went to unhooked the battery cable the car tried to start itself.
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.
While traveling about 5 MPH inside of a parking lot and without prior warning the vehicle shutdown. The consumer had seen smoke coming out of the vents, then the vehicle had caught on fire. *ak the inspector stated the fire stemmed from a short. *scc the consumer received a recall regarding the air bag module/sensor.
Fuel tank is leaking, consumer is concerned that the vehicle could catch on fire. Dealer notified.
While vehicle was idling, underneath the hood caught fire and cut off. Ts
While parking vehicle started to smoke. Vehicle bursted into flames underhood. Completely destroying vehicle. Please add VIN.
The airbag light illuminated, and the vehicle began smoking and then caught on fire.*jb(claim#18-0629-945)
Related recalls
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module
- What is wrong
- The roll pins securing the ignition lock in the steering column housing can separate or move out of position.
- Risk
- The ignition lock cylinder may disengage from thesteering column housing which could cause the steering column to lock up,resulting in loss of vehicle control and a possible accident.
- Remedy
- If one or both of the roll pins are missing or not fully inserted, the ignition lock housing will be replaced, along with the door-locks and the liftgate or deck-lid locks so that key compatibility is maintained. If both pins are present and fully inserted, a plastic snap-on sleeve will be installed as a precaution to prevent the roll pins from coming out.
Recall number 93V057000 · Recall details
Questions about the Mercury Tracer fire or smoke
Which Mercury Tracer years have fire, smoke or burning smell problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1997 (9 complaints), 1991 (4 complaints) and 1994 (3 complaints).
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