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: 22 of 253 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 91 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports6 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
253 reports
200,000 miles · Jan 14, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCURY VILLAGER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT ALIGNED PROPERLY WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE PROGRESSED WITH NO WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC FOR FURTHER INSPECTION A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCURY VILLAGER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT ALIGNED PROPERLY WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE PROGRESSED WITH NO WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 4/7/15*CN UPDATED 9/15/2017*CN
NHTSA ODI #10672390
Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE SMELL OF FUEL IS SO STRONG INSIDE THE VAN THAT IT MAKES YOU DIZZY AND SICK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10454386
170,000 miles · Jan 26, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCURY VILLAGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS FRACTURED, CAUSING A LEAK OF EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
NHTSA ODI #10445475
Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2010
TiresCrash
1994 MERCURY VILLAGER, RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW. *BF THE CONSUMER SIDESWIPED A TRACTOR TRAILER. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0501-90 UPDATED 05/03/10 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10321965
Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHY WASN'T THE 94 VILLAGER EVER RECALLED FOR EXHAUST STUDS BREAKING OFF? THIS CAUSES EXHAUST GAS TO FILL THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I STILL HAVE THE REAR MANIFOLD LEAKING. I MEASURED 300 PPM C.O. WHILE THE VAN WAS IDLING. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO GET IT FIXED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10298685
Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2009
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHTS ARE SEVERELY CLOUDED/WEATHERED. THIS GREATLY REDUCES THE AVAILABLE LIGHT WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. HAVE NOT ATTEMPTED ANY REPAIRS YET. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10290445
90,000 miles · Jul 18, 2007
Exterior Lighting
FORD TOLD ME THE VIN DIDN'T SHOW UP ON THEIR RECALL RECORDS. AS A RESULT, THE CAR WAS EITHER REPAIRED ALREADY OR WASN'T SUBJECT TO THE RECALL. ACCORDING TO NHTSA RECALL 96V253003 RECALL THE CAR SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SINCE IT EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. THIS PROBLEM HAS NEVER…
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FORD TOLD ME THE VIN DIDN'T SHOW UP ON THEIR RECALL RECORDS. AS A RESULT, THE CAR WAS EITHER REPAIRED ALREADY OR WASN'T SUBJECT TO THE RECALL. ACCORDING TO NHTSA RECALL 96V253003 RECALL THE CAR SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SINCE IT EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. THIS PROBLEM HAS NEVER BEEN REPAIRED BY A DEALER. I HAD NO IDEA WHY IT DIDN'T COME UP ON MY VIN . BUT THE CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVE KEPT SAYING IT WAS NOT IN THEIR RECORDS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10196721
Mileage unknown · May 9, 2007
TiresCrash
I OWN A 1994 MERCURY VILLAGER THAT WAS GIVEN TO US BACK IN 2005 AFTER WE LOST EVERYTHING IN HURRICANE KATRINA. COMPLAINED ABOUT THE FIRESTONE SEIBERLING TIRES THAT WERE ON THIS VEHICLE. SEIBERLING TRAILRIDER RADIAL, LT P205 75 R15/MS. I RECENTLY REPLACED THE 2 FRONT SEIBERLINGS TIRES ON APRIL 29, 2007 DUE TO THE FRONT DRIVE…
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I OWN A 1994 MERCURY VILLAGER THAT WAS GIVEN TO US BACK IN 2005 AFTER WE LOST EVERYTHING IN HURRICANE KATRINA. COMPLAINED ABOUT THE FIRESTONE SEIBERLING TIRES THAT WERE ON THIS VEHICLE. SEIBERLING TRAILRIDER RADIAL, LT P205 75 R15/MS. I RECENTLY REPLACED THE 2 FRONT SEIBERLINGS TIRES ON APRIL 29, 2007 DUE TO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE HAVING TREAD SEPARATION. I KEPT THE SEIBERLING TIRES ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AS A SPARE. STILL HAD 2 SEIBERLING TIRES ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WELL, TODAY MY WIFE WAS TAKING MY DAUGHTER TO WORK AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE HAD A CATASTROPHIC TREAD SEPARATION AT HIGHWAY SPEED. 55 MPH. SHE DID ALL SHE COULD DO TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM FLIPPING OFF THE ROAD. SHE MANAGED TO GET THE VAN STOPPED BY CRASHING INTO THE SOFT GRAVEL DITCH, AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR QUARTER PANEL WAS DENTED AND SCUFFED BADLY FROM THE TIRE DEBRIS, AND THE TREAD THAT FLEW OFF ALSO BROKE THE TAIL LIGHT. THE PLASTIC SHROUD SURROUNDING THE GAS FILLER TUBE INSIDE THE REAR WHEEL WELL BROKE. I HAVE PHOTOS AND THE TIRES AT HOME. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS. TWO TIRES FAILING IN TWO WEEKS HAS ME CONCERNED. NOW, I HAVE TO REPLACE THE REAR TIRES AS WELL . *AK
NHTSA ODI #10190343
92,000 miles · Mar 4, 2007
Electrical SystemFire
ELECTRICAL FIRE, VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AT TIME OF FIRE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10184130
129,000 miles · Aug 22, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SMELL OF GAS WAS NOTICED IN THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE FUEL TANK VENT HOSE WAS FAULTY. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 00V419002, REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM; STORAGE; TANK ASSEMBLY. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
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.
THE REAR LAMP SOCKET MAY NOT ILLUMINATE BECAUSE THE METAL CAN IN THE LAMP SOCKET MOVES OR SEPARATES FROM THE PLASTIC SOCKET HOUSING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN MALFUNCTION OF THE STOP OR REAR RUNNING LAMPS. CENTER HIGH MOUNT STOP LAMP FUNCTION IS UNAFFECTED. REAR LAMP MALFUNCTION CAN RESULT IN FOLLOWING DRIVERS NOT BEING ALERTED TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLE'S PRESENCE OR INTENDED ACTIONS, PARTICULARLY IN THE CASE IN WHICH BOTH LAMPS HAVE MALFUNCTIONED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED REAR LAMP SOCKET AND WIRING ASSEMBLIES.
THE WINDSHIELDS WERE MARKED WITH A "PROTOTYPE" DESIGNATION AND NOT MARKED AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: INCORRECT LABELING OF WINDSHIELD MAY CAUSE CONCERN OR CONFUSION ABOUT THE PROTOTYPE DESIGNATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELDS ON THE AFFECTED VANS.
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
5
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.
PE99077 · Fuel Tank Vent Hose Leakage
Opened Dec 28, 1999 · Closed May 22, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
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.
PE99013 · Fuel Rail Hose Fitting Leakage
Opened Feb 9, 1999 · Closed Jun 29, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
SINCE SEPTEMBER 1998, ODI HAS RECEIVED SEVEN COMPLAINTS OF FUEL ODOR OR LEAKAGE IN 1994 THROUGH 1995 MERCURY VILLAGER VEHICLES.FOUR OF THE LEAKS HAVE BEEN TRACED TO A SHORT SECTION OF HOSE THAT CONNECTS THE FUEL SUPPLY TUBE TO THE REAR OF THE FUEL RAIL.INFORMAITON CONTAINED IN THE REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE PROBLEM MAY BE DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE, WITH SEVERAL OWNERS ALLEGING MULTIPLE DEALER SERVICE REPAIRS.ADVANCED COMPRESSION SET IS EVIDENT IN A HOSE REMOVED FROM THE MOST RECENT COMPLAINT VEHICLE.
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.
1994 Mercury Villager Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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