Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 17 of 414 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 142 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Visibility. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
15 crash reports30 fire reports16 injury reports
What owners actually said
414 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS CONTINUE TO BREAK, ALLOWING EXHAUST FUMES TO ESCAPE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND ENTER COMPARTMENT. *AKA REPETATIVE PATTERN FAILURE OF THE STUDS SECURING THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO THE ENGINE OCCURS REGULARLY. CONSUMER FEELS THE EXHAUST WHICH CAN BE SMELLED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS A HEALTH HAZARD THERE BY AFFE…
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EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS CONTINUE TO BREAK, ALLOWING EXHAUST FUMES TO ESCAPE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND ENTER COMPARTMENT. *AKA REPETATIVE PATTERN FAILURE OF THE STUDS SECURING THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO THE ENGINE OCCURS REGULARLY. CONSUMER FEELS THE EXHAUST WHICH CAN BE SMELLED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS A HEALTH HAZARD THERE BY AFFECTING THE DRIVERS ABILITY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *JG
NHTSA ODI #8017632
Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
MULTIPLE EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUD FAILURE POSSIBLY, ALLOWING NOXIOUS EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #766169
Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #764682
Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2002
Power Train
IF THE IGNITION IS LEFT IN A POSITION BETWEEN "LOCK" AND "ON" THE GEAR SHIFT INTERLOCK MECHANISM DOESNT WORK AND THE VECHCLE CAN BE PULLED OUT OF GEAR. NORMALLY, THE SERVICE BRAKE HAS TO BE APPLIED IN ORDER TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY APPROX 6 MONTHS AGO VIA EMAIL- NO RESPONSE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #764548
Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING THE INSIDE TEMPERATURE OF THE VEHICLE BECAME COLD, WHILE TRYING TO ADJUST THE HEAT, THE DRIVER NOTICED THICK BLACK SMOKE FROM THE TAILPIPE, THERE WERE NO DASHBOARD INDICATORS THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND AS A RESULT THE VAN LOST ALL COOLANT RUINING THE ENTIRE ENGINE, THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR BOT…
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WHILE DRIVING THE INSIDE TEMPERATURE OF THE VEHICLE BECAME COLD, WHILE TRYING TO ADJUST THE HEAT, THE DRIVER NOTICED THICK BLACK SMOKE FROM THE TAILPIPE, THERE WERE NO DASHBOARD INDICATORS THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND AS A RESULT THE VAN LOST ALL COOLANT RUINING THE ENTIRE ENGINE, THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR BOTH REPLACED ENGINES. NLM
NHTSA ODI #566510
Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
IN OCT0BER OF 2001 CONSUMER HAD FILLER VENT HOSE REPLACED AS PART OF A RECALL, BUT REMEDY DID NOT WORK, AND FUEL WAS LEAKING AGAIN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8013185
Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
MANUFACTURER ADMITTED DESIGN PROBLEM ON NISSAN 3.0 L MOTOR THAT WAS EVEN COVERED UNDER A GOODWILL WARRANTY. BROKEN EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS THAT ARE NOW ON THE 4TH REVISION TO THE REPLACEMENT PART. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES EXHAUST FUMES TO LEAK INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I HAVE FOUND AT LEAST 5 SERVICE BULLETINS ADDRESSING THE ISSUE O…
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MANUFACTURER ADMITTED DESIGN PROBLEM ON NISSAN 3.0 L MOTOR THAT WAS EVEN COVERED UNDER A GOODWILL WARRANTY. BROKEN EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS THAT ARE NOW ON THE 4TH REVISION TO THE REPLACEMENT PART. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES EXHAUST FUMES TO LEAK INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I HAVE FOUND AT LEAST 5 SERVICE BULLETINS ADDRESSING THE ISSUE ON BOTH NISSAN AND MERCURY VEHICLES.*AK
NHTSA ODI #763393
Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2002
Electrical SystemSteering
INTERMITTENTLY STEERING IN ANY DIRECTION CAUSES VEHICLE TO STALL. NO INDICATION LIGHTS ILLUMINATE ON DASHBOARD. VEHICLE WILL RESTART AFTER STALLING. THERE IS NO WAY TO DETECT WHEN VEHICLE WILL STALL. DEALER HAS TRIED DIFFERENT REPAIRS, AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK *TT
NHTSA ODI #8011853
Mileage unknown · May 24, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
BOLTS CONTINUALLY BREAK ON MANIFOLD EXHAUST SYSTEM. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER INDICATED A PROBLEM WITH BOLTS ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD. TSB # 98-10-14. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8010461
Mileage unknown · May 10, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
ENGINE POWER SURGES, SHOULDER BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE FUEL TANK VENT HOSE ALLOWS AIR TO VENT FROM THE FUEL TANK DURING REFUELING. CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE VENT HOSE. IF (1) THE FUEL TANK IS OVERFILLED, NOT ALLOWING EXCESS FUEL IN THE VENT HOSE TO FLOW BACK INTO THE TANK, (2) THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ONLY A SHORT DISTANCE AFTER REFUELING AND, (3) THERE IS SUBSEQUENTLY SIGNIFICANT HEATING OF THE FUEL TANK, THE FUEL IN THE TANK CAN EXPAND INTO THE VENT HOSE AND LEAK FUEL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
LEAVES AND OTHER FOREIGN MATERIAL CAN ENTER THROUGH THE COWL PANEL AIR INTAKE DURING OPERATION OF THE FRONT HEATER AND/OR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM RESULTING IN A BUILD-UP OF MATERIAL IN THE PLENUM. THIS CAN LEAD TO NOISE, ODORS, OR IN SOME CASES, IGNITION OF THESE MATERIALS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL HEATER/AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM INTAKE SCREEN.
FUEL FILLER HOSES MAY HAVE BEEN CUT PRIOR TO INSTALLATION BY A UTILITY KNIFE USED TO OPEN THE SHIPPING BOX.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IF THE CUT EXTENDED THROUGH THETHICKNESS OF THE HOSE WALL. LEAKING FUEL CAN RESULT IN A FIRE IF EXPOSEDTO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
THE SERVICE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS NOT PROPERLY ASSEMBLED OR COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY THE EVACUATION AND FILLING OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN A PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE DUE TOINTERNAL MASTER CYLINDER LEAKAGE WHICH CAN CAUSE LOSS OF BRAKING ON TWO OF THEFOUR WHEELS. IF THIS OCCURS, THERE WOULD BE INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL, HIGHERPEDAL EFFORTS AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.
Remedy: A NEW BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WILL BE INSTALLED.
ONE OR BOTH OF THE BOLTS SECURING THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT RESTRAINT SYSTEM TRACKS TO THE B-PILLARS WERE NOT ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTSYSTEM TRACK JOINTS HAVING LESS THAN DESIGN STRENGTH, AND INCREASE THE RISK OFINJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION OR SUDDEN STOP.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM TRACK MOUNTING BOLTS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
8
EA00014 · Fuel Tank Vent Hose Leakage
Opened May 22, 2000 · Closed Jan 4, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
PERIODIC EXPOSURE TO LIQUID GASOLINE MAY RESULT IN EXTRACTION OF ANTIDEGRADANTS FROM THE SUBJECT FUEL TANK VENT HOSE.HOSES WHICH HAVE SUFFERED LOSS OF ANTIDEGRADANTS CAN DEVELOP CRACKS IN AREAS OF HIGH STRAIN.FUEL MAY SPRAY OR DRIP FROM CRACKED VENT HOSES FOLLOWING TANK FILL.STARTING AT JOB#1 1998 MY (CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS VEHICLES) AND JOB#1 1999 MY (FEDERAL EMISSIONS VEHICLES), THE SUBJECT VENT HOSE COMPOSITION CHANGED FROM NITRILE RUBBER HOSES WITH CHLOROPRENE RUBBER COVERS (NBR/CR) TO FLUOROCARBON RUBBER HOSES WITH AN OUTER LAYER BLEND OF NBR/PVC.THE CHANGES WERE MADE TO IMPROVE HYDRACARBON RESISTANCE FOR COMPLAINCE WITH NEW EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS REGULATIONS.THE MODIFIED HOSES ARE ALSO SIGNIFICANTLY MORE RESISTANT TO DEGRADATION AND CRACKING.IN A LETTER DATED JANUARY 2, 2001, FORD NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE SUBJECT VENT HOSE IN AFFACTED VEHICLES.FORD WILL BEGIN NOTIFYING CUSTOMERS OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ON OR ABOUT THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 12, 2001 TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO DEALERS FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL TANK VENT HOSE WITH THE LATEST DESIGN LEVER PART.
EA99015 · Fuel Rail Hose Fitting Leakage
Opened Jun 29, 1999 · Closed Apr 18, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT COVERS 1993-1998 MERCURY VILLAGER AND NISSAN QUEST MINIVANS.THESE TWO MINIVANS SHARE A COMMON BODY PLATFORM AND POWER TRAIN.BASED ON THE LOW NUMBER OF REPORTED INCIDENTS AND THE ABSENCE OF A DEMONSTRABLE FAILURE TREND, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ENGINEERING CLOSING REPORT EA99-015 FOR DETAILS.
EA96005 · Battery Explosions
Opened May 30, 1996 · Closed May 29, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT IS INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC FILE.
PE96009 · Battery Explosion
Opened Jan 25, 1996 · Closed May 30, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
1993 MERCURY VILLAGERBATTERY EXPLOSION
EA95027 · Blower Area Fires
Opened Sep 22, 1995 · Closed Nov 17, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment
There is no summary currently available
PE95037 · Front Blower Assembly Fire
Opened Jun 19, 1995 · Closed Sep 22, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
There is no summary currently available
PE93047 · Power Door Lock Failure
Opened May 7, 1993 · Closed Aug 11, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE93020 · Backlite Shattering
Opened Apr 1, 1993 · Closed Jul 28, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
There is no summary currently available
1993 Mercury Villager Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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