# 1997 MERCURY TRACER — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
> NHTSA complaint `471189` · 2004-01-15 · Ford Motor Company
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** MERCURY
- **Model:** TRACER
- **Year:** 1997
- **Manufacturer:** Ford Motor Company
- **Component:** EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
- **Miles at failure:** 102,000
## Narrative
WHILE DRIVING DOWN AT SPEED OF 65-70 MPH, THE CAR CEASED TO ACCELORATE.  I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, ONCE THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED IT WOULD NO LONGER CRANK.  TODAY WHEN I WENT TO CLEAN IT OUT (HAPPENED AT NIGHT)I SAW THAT A HOLE WAS BURNED THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH BOARD.  ALSO I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS SMOKE/FIRE RESIDUE ON THE WINDSHIELD COMING FROM THE DEFROST VENTS.  BEFORE ANY OF THIS HAPPENED THE AIRBAG LIGTS WERE COMING ON AND THERE WAS A BURNT PLASTIC SMELL AND A SCENT OF AMMONIA SMELL COMING FROM GOD-KNOWS-WHERE.  WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD EVERYTHING LOOKED NORMAL.  I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GO TO WORK FOR 2 DAYS NOW.  PLEASE TELL ME IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT I CAN DO.  THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE.
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*