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1988 Mercury Tracer Wagon Base

The 1988 Mercury Tracer Wagon Base is a 1.6-liter inline-4 wagon with an automatic 3-speed and front-wheel drive. It starts at $10,007 MSRP and is rated at 24 mpg combined.

EPA fuel-economy estimates are 22 mpg city and 26 mpg highway (24 mpg combined).

The Tracer Wagon measures 169.0 inches long on a 94.6-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,233 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeWagon
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$10,007 ($27,492 *)
Engine
Engine Type1.6L I4
Displacement1.6 L
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
TransmissionAutomatic 3-speed
Fuel Economy
City22 MPG
Highway26 MPG
Combined24 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular Gasoline
Tank Capacity11 gal
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front13-in. aluminum alloy
Wheels Rear13-in. aluminum alloy
Dimensions & Weight
Length169 in
Width65 in
Height53 in
Wheelbase94.6 in
Curb Weight2,233 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front38 in
Headroom Rear38 in
Legroom Front41 in
Legroom Rear34 in
Shoulder Room Front51 in
Shoulder Room Rear51 in
Hip Room Front52 in
Hip Room Rear52 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.

Recalls

3 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1988 Mercury TRACER. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Jun 27, 1995 · SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

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 SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.

NHTSA campaign 95V103011

May 22, 1989 · SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

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.

NHTSA campaign 89V085000

Jun 15, 1987 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

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.

NHTSA campaign 87V092000

23 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1988 Mercury TRACER

Owner Complaints

23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1988 Mercury TRACER (4 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Seat Belts7
Engine And Engine Cooling3
Power Train3
Vehicle Speed Control3
Service Brakes2
Air1
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Apr 5, 2001 · Seat Belts
“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 (800-392-3673/DUANE). I REPEATLY MENTIONED TO THEM…”
Jun 28, 2000 · Seat Belts
“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…”
Jul 28, 1999 · Seat Belts
“PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT. *AK”
Feb 25, 1998 · Service Brakes, Air
“BRAKE CALIPER SEALS FAILED CAUSING FLUID LOSS AND BRAKE FAILURE.”
Oct 14, 1997 · Engine And Engine Cooling
“SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUSED ACCIDENT.”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1988 MERCURY TRACER. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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