Mercury ยท 1988
1988 Mercury Tracer
Official EPA fuel economy and NHTSA recall record, best combined figure 27 MPG.
The Mercury Tracer is a compact car that was marketed by Mercury from the 1987 to 1999 model years. The replacement for the Mercury Lynx, the Tracer was also sold as a three-door and five-door hatchback and a five-door station wagon; a four-door sedan was introduced for the second generation.
Fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Fuel | City | Highway | Combined | CO2 g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Regular | 22 | 26 | 24 | 370 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Regular | 24 | 32 | 27 | 329 |
Safety recalls (NHTSA)
3 campaigns on record for this model year. Recall repairs are free at dealers; check your exact vehicle by VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls.
INCORRECT FUEL FILLER NECK ATTACHMENT SCREWS WERE USED TO ATTACH THE NECK TO THE REAR QUARTER PANELS.
SOME LAP SHOULDER BELT RETRACTORS WERE BUILT WITH CERTAIN OUT OF TOLERANCE COMPONENTS.
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.
Owner complaints (NHTSA)
22 complaints filed by owners for this model year (4 involving a crash, 1 a fire). Complaints are owner reports, not confirmed defects - browse them in full on nhtsa.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fuel economy of a 1988 Mercury Tracer?
EPA figures for the 1988 Mercury Tracer reach 27 MPG combined depending on configuration; the table on this page lists every tested engine and transmission combination.
Are there recalls on the 1988 Mercury Tracer?
NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns for the 1988 Mercury Tracer. Check your specific vehicle by VIN on the official NHTSA site, recalls are fixed free of charge by dealers.
What are common problems with the 1988 Mercury Tracer?
Owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA for the 1988 Mercury Tracer, most often about: Seat Belts, Engine And Engine Cooling, Power Train. Complaint counts reflect what owners report, not confirmed defects.
Sources: EPA fueleconomy.gov, the NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings databases (all US public data), refreshed monthly. Recall texts are quoted from the official record. Details on About & Data Sources.