1990 Mercury Tracer

1990 Mercury Tracer

The 1990 Mercury Tracer is a compact car that was produced by Mercury from 1987 to 1999. It was available with a variety of engine and transmission options, including a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic transmission, a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic transmission, and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic transmission.

The Tracer was known for its fuel efficiency, affordability, and reliability. However, it also had some drawbacks, such as its lack of power, poor handling, and cramped interior.

Engine

1.6-liter four-cylinder engine

• Blown head gasket
  • Description/Symptoms: Coolant leaking from the engine, overheating, white smoke from the exhaust
  • Solution: Replace the head gasket
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000
  • Recalls: None Found
• Intake manifold gasket failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Coolant or oil leaking from the intake manifold, rough idle, decreased engine performance
  • Solution: Replace the intake manifold gasket
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500
  • Recalls: None Found

1.8-liter four-cylinder engine

• Timing belt failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Engine will not start, loud screeching or banging noise from the engine
  • Solution: Replace the timing belt
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000
  • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

Five-speed manual transmission

• Grinding gears
  • Description/Symptoms: Difficulty shifting gears, grinding noise when shifting
  • Solution: Replace the transmission synchronizers
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000
  • Recalls: None Found

Four-speed automatic transmission

• Slipping gears
  • Description/Symptoms: Transmission slipping out of gear, difficulty accelerating
  • Solution: Replace the transmission clutches
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,000 - $2,000
  • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

• Front struts leaking
  • Description/Symptoms: Clunking or rattling noise from the front of the car, uneven tire wear
  • Solution: Replace the front struts
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000
  • Recalls: None Found
• Rear shocks leaking
  • Description/Symptoms: Bouncing or swaying rear end, excessive body roll
  • Solution: Replace the rear shocks
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $600
  • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

• Alternator failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Battery not charging, dimming headlights, electrical components not working
  • Solution: Replace the alternator
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $600
  • Recalls: None Found
• Battery drain
  • Description/Symptoms: Battery dies prematurely, difficulty starting the car
  • Solution: Check for parasitic drain, replace the battery
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $300
  • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• Rust
  • Description/Symptoms: Rust forming on the body panels, especially around the wheel wells and fenders
  • Solution: Repair or replace the affected body panels
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: Varies depending on the severity of the rust
  • Recalls: None Found

Interior

• Dashboard cracking
  • Description/Symptoms: Cracks forming on the dashboard
  • Solution: Replace the dashboard
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000
  • Recalls: None Found

Overall Summary

The 1990 Mercury Tracer is a reliable and affordable car, but it is not without its problems. Some of the most common issues include blown head gaskets, intake manifold gasket failure, timing belt failure, grinding gears, slipping gears, leaking struts, and a battery drain. The severity and cost of these issues vary, but overall, the Tracer is a good value for the money.