1997 Mercury Tracer Engine problems

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 *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 mercury tracer. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, she lost control of the vehicle and drove into the median to avoid oncoming traffic. The engine shut off and the cylinder head was blown. The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure; however, they stated that the engine needed to be rebuilt. . The contact stated that the cylinder head in the engine failed and caused her to lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle has not been repaired. The dealer and the warranty company stated...

Rpm's lower and stall car-took to shop in 2004 told plug/wire misfire and vacuum leak. Paid almost $200. One week later started again. Car vibrates badly when brake applied, both back springs have given out, crankshaft/pulley wobbles badly, has snapped serpentine belt, replaced belt tensioner and belt, snapped again one month later, replaced belt again, but has only been two months. Car sways in lane due to bad back springs. Car makes vibrating noise under hood when parked at an idle. Tie rod replaced two times....

My girlfriend owns a 1997 mercury tracer. At the time of the incident the car had been driven for approximately 110,000 miles. Here engine light came on and we had a diagnostic analysis conducted on the car. The analysis said there was a misfire in the 4th cylinder and before we could change the spark plugs the car was no longer driveable. It turns out that mercury makes a piece of junk car and that the valve seats were manufactured with a powdered metal. It appears that the valve seat cracked and dropped into the...

While driving the engine light illuminated and there was a sudden clunky noise. It was later determined that the engine burned out. *Nlm

I began having engine trouble last july. Whjen I turned the ingnition the engine began to buckle and make a loud noise. I would have to attempt starting it a few times to get a clean start. Then the engine would make a tapping noise and the engine light would come on. I took it to the dealer - they said it was a dirty cylinder and that it needed to be cleaned. They cleaned it but a few months later the same string of events occurred -- but the engine light went off before I could get it to the dealer. The...

I would like you to notify the manufacturer and the responsible garage (osman) about this problem, I may have checked the wrong block. I was traveling to tampa,fl. On i-4 to a wedding when all of a sudden a white steam appeared to be coming from the rear of my car, luckily I had just come upon a rest area and pulled into the area and shut the engine off. Checked to see what might be wrong and I really couldn't tell from all of the steam and the engine temperature gauge was up all the way. I contacted my...

Consumer states that then vehicle caughton fire under the hood. The vehicle was totalled. The dealer has been notified. Please provide additional information. Nlm

Engine blew up in rush hour traffic - huge safety concerns for other tracer drivers, no light indicator, no gauge warning, etc.- Car has been maintained, just blew up- nothing to indicate reason. Should consider recalling tracers for investigation of engine.

Engine failed in rush hour traffic on freeway with family in car- no light, no gauge indicator, no history of problems with the car- huge safety hazard, absolutely did not know it would happen. Ford is, thus far, unresponsive.*Ak

While traveling on the freeway, the car engine blew up (at maximum freeway speed) and after making it to the side of the road, discovered that the engine was completely blown. There was no warning, no light, no nothing- stranded the family in mid traffic during rush hour at an extremely dangerous section of freeway- car is 3 years old and should have warned us with lights or something- we need it repaired. Very potential dangerous situation, hopefully it won't happen to anyone else. Ford needs to look into this pronto. Our warranty has expired but this should be taken care of as a safety issue.*Ak

Why is this database being eliminated, first of all?! I love this. Check coolant light came on, coolant had all leaked while driving, due to frost plug heater seal failure on engine causing all coolant to leak out. Not covered under warranty?! Seems that this is an engine seal to me, ford disagrees.

Engine check light would come on monthly, and consumer had to add coolant every 3 months. Took vehicle to a mechanic and they put a new radiator in. *Ak

Crankshaft/pulley fell apart, causing the belt to separate from the vehicle, and damage to the timing chain. Dealer has repaired the vehicle at the owner's expense.*Ak

I own a 1997 mecury tracer, that has been in ford, lincoln, mercury authorized dealership for almost 3 weeks in the service department. The first time I brought my vehicle in was when my " engine check light came on. This was on 1/18/2000, the service department informed that my #3 was misfiring and that they need to repplace my sparkplugs and give the car a tune-up. On 1/27/200, my engine check light light came back on. I took it back to the dealship and they found an oil leak and told me the computer read...

Turned key on and the exhaust pipe broke. There was a loud noise and fumes came up in the car. Contacted the dealer, they said warranty ran out a week ago. Vehicle was not covered. Called the manufacturer, was not able to help. *Ak

The crankshaft pulley "separated" ruining the belt and the pulley, requiring that both be replaced. I did not think that I should have these type of problems with a car that only had 40,600 miles on it. I feel like I should be compensated by the manufacturer or the dealer who worked on the car. I am reluctant to believe that I will not have further problems with this car or the same problem again. I would like to know exactly why and how this happened, other than being told that I am not the first one it has...

Engine is stalling when turning a corner, stopping at a red light. *Ak

When started cold the lifters tap for a while, until it warms up. *Ak

Steering, shimmering like the front end was out of line, service engine soon light came on and went off 2 times third time went to dixie and set up to have it check since the light stayed on this time and did not go back off. Seatbelt, will not latch at times I have to keep trying to press in the release button for it to finally lock. At times would come off while driving. Dixie set up an appointment 1 week after I went there to have all of the above checked.Date dixie motors looked at car july 24,1998. Keeped car...

Engine taps and cuts off while driving. Engine check light comes on. Dealer contacted and is aware of the problem. Stated the problem caused by cracked crankshaft. After engine replaced, problem continued and dealer said the transmission needed to be replaced. *Ak *ml

While the vehicle has been parked for 12 hours when it caught on fire for no apparent reason. No prior problems with the vehicle. Currently at the dealer. Cause unknown. Please provide details. *Ak