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1994 Mercury Villager

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Villager years

Owner complaints for the 1994 Mercury Villager are substantially higher than the model-year median of 125.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

51 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL 00V419002/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 00S59 REPAIRS. DEALERSHIP INFORMED HER THAT REPAIRS COULD NOT BE PERFORMED BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE PARTS AVAILABLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #881813

Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL PRESSURE HOSE TO INJECTOR PREMATURELY CRACKED AND LEAKED FUEL WITH OUT PRIOR NOTICE. DEALERSHIP'S MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER THAT THIS WAS NOT A MAINTENANCE PROBLEM. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE AS THE RESULT OF LEAKING GAS. THE CONSUMER HAD INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER THROUGH INVESTIGATION QUESTIONNAIRE. *YH

NHTSA ODI #881177

Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline

THERE WAS FUEL SMELL IN INTERIOR OF VEHICLE, TAKEN TO DEALER ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO WHO REPLACED A NARROW HOSE THAT APPARENTLY WAS TOO CLOSE TO ENGINE AND CAUSED SMELL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #880850

Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH FUEL ODOR GETTING INTO VEHICLE ONLY IN COLD WEATHER. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON FOUR OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. *AK AFTER TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND FAILING, THE CONSUMER DID INTERNET RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS COLD WEATHER WHICH MAKES THE HOSES TO BECOME U…

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ONGOING PROBLEM WITH FUEL ODOR GETTING INTO VEHICLE ONLY IN COLD WEATHER. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON FOUR OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. *AK AFTER TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND FAILING, THE CONSUMER DID INTERNET RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS COLD WEATHER WHICH MAKES THE HOSES TO BECOME UNPLIABLE AND LEAK FUEL. *YH

NHTSA ODI #879956

Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2001
Fuel System, GasolineVisibility

FUEL SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE, FUEL LEAKING UNDERNEATH VEHICLE, REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW IMPLODED, BACK VENT WINDOW FELL OUT OF FRAME. *AK

NHTSA ODI #878910

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline

AT 46,000 MILES VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH FUEL FUMES/ODOR GETTING INTO VEHICLE ONLY AT 0 DEGREE WEATHER. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BEFORE THIS PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED. *AK THE PROBLEM OCCURS DURING WINTER AND HAD BEEN DIAGNOSED TO BE DUE TO FUEL HOSE LEAKING AND WAS REPLAC…

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AT 46,000 MILES VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH FUEL FUMES/ODOR GETTING INTO VEHICLE ONLY AT 0 DEGREE WEATHER. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BEFORE THIS PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED. *AK THE PROBLEM OCCURS DURING WINTER AND HAD BEEN DIAGNOSED TO BE DUE TO FUEL HOSE LEAKING AND WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. *YH

NHTSA ODI #877976

Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline

VAN HAD A STRONG FUEL ODOR NEAR THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS ODOR FILLED THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHEN THE HEATER WAS TURNED ON. UPON INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE IT TURNS OUT THERE WAS A LEAK IN ONE OF THE FITTINGS ON A FUEL HOSE LEADING TO ONE OF MY (TWO) FUEL RAILS. THE LEAK WAS ENOUGH TO SATURATE THE HOSE AND SURROUNDING ARE…

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VAN HAD A STRONG FUEL ODOR NEAR THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS ODOR FILLED THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHEN THE HEATER WAS TURNED ON. UPON INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE IT TURNS OUT THERE WAS A LEAK IN ONE OF THE FITTINGS ON A FUEL HOSE LEADING TO ONE OF MY (TWO) FUEL RAILS. THE LEAK WAS ENOUGH TO SATURATE THE HOSE AND SURROUNDING AREA WHEN STARTING THE VAN. I WAS ABLE TO GET RID OF MOST OF THE LEAK BY TIGHTENING THE SCREW ON THE FITTING. THIS FUEL LEAK IS DIFFERENT FROM THE FUEL TANK VENT HOSE LEAK WHICH I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED AND PREVIOUSLY REPORTED TO NHTSA. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #738867

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline

ON FIRST OCCASSION ON DEC. 1999 ON A SUB ZERO DAY THERE WAS A RAW GAS SMELL IN CAR. WAS TAKEN NEXT DAY TO DEALER BUT AS TEMPERATURE WAS WARMER DIDN'T SHOW UP. THEY CHECKED IT OVER AND TIGHTENED ALL CLAMPS. IT DIDN'T DO IT AGAIN UNTIL IT GOT DOWN TO SUB ZERO TEMPERATURES. EACH TIME TAKEN TO DEALER IT WAS NOT NOTICEABLE. I WAS IN…

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ON FIRST OCCASSION ON DEC. 1999 ON A SUB ZERO DAY THERE WAS A RAW GAS SMELL IN CAR. WAS TAKEN NEXT DAY TO DEALER BUT AS TEMPERATURE WAS WARMER DIDN'T SHOW UP. THEY CHECKED IT OVER AND TIGHTENED ALL CLAMPS. IT DIDN'T DO IT AGAIN UNTIL IT GOT DOWN TO SUB ZERO TEMPERATURES. EACH TIME TAKEN TO DEALER IT WAS NOT NOTICEABLE. I WAS INFORMED BY THEM THEY HAD OTHER COMPLAINTS SIMILIAR BUT WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE PROBLEM BUT WERE IN CONTACT WITH THE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #738733

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

ELECTRICAL:NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH DOOR LOCKS ACTIVATION/WINDSHIELD SPRAYER FRONT AND REAR INOPERATIVE/INTERIOR LIGHTING CONTROLS FOR VENTILATION INOP., RADIO&CD PLAYER OPERATION INTERMITTENT AT ALL TIMES AND REPLACED RADIO BUT STILL HAD PROBLEMS GETTING POWER TO THE UNIT ON A REGULAR BASIS; HYDRAULIC BRAKES: FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS…

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ELECTRICAL:NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH DOOR LOCKS ACTIVATION/WINDSHIELD SPRAYER FRONT AND REAR INOPERATIVE/INTERIOR LIGHTING CONTROLS FOR VENTILATION INOP., RADIO&CD PLAYER OPERATION INTERMITTENT AT ALL TIMES AND REPLACED RADIO BUT STILL HAD PROBLEMS GETTING POWER TO THE UNIT ON A REGULAR BASIS; HYDRAULIC BRAKES: FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS NOT FUNCTIONING FULLY/REAR BRAKES MAKE GRINDING NOISES. EXHAUST SYSTEM: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AT DIFFERENT INTERVALS DUE TO BROKEN HOSE BETWEEN EGR VALVE ASSEMBLY AND INTAKE MANIFOLD/O2 SENSOR REPLACED DUE TO TROUBLE CODES.

NHTSA ODI #738433

Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

ENGINE SHUT DOWN ON 11/21/00 WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE AT 65MPH. AUTO TOWED TO MERCURY DEALERSHIP. WE WERE TOLD WE WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AT OUR OWN EXPENSE ($4000). ONCE ENGINE WAS REPLACED, WE STARTED HAVING OTHER PROBLEMS. WE STARTED TO NOTICE THE SMELL OF GASOLINE AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE SMELL WAS ESPECIAL…

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ENGINE SHUT DOWN ON 11/21/00 WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE AT 65MPH. AUTO TOWED TO MERCURY DEALERSHIP. WE WERE TOLD WE WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AT OUR OWN EXPENSE ($4000). ONCE ENGINE WAS REPLACED, WE STARTED HAVING OTHER PROBLEMS. WE STARTED TO NOTICE THE SMELL OF GASOLINE AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE SMELL WAS ESPECIALLY BAD ON THE INSIDE WHEN WE TURNED THE HEAT ON. THE DEALERSHIP THOUGHT THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM BY TIGHTENING THE FUEL LINE CLAMPS, BUT THE ODOR RETURNED. THE GAS SMELL IS STILL PRESENT. THE NEW ENGINE WAS SLOW TO ACCELERATE. THE DEALERSHIP DID A "FIX" ON THIS BY ADJUSTING THE THROTTLE LINKAGE. THE VEHICLE STILL DOES NOT ACCELERATE AS IT DID ORIGINALLY.

NHTSA ODI #734095

Official recalls

3

00V419002 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Jan 2, 2001

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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VENT HOSE.

96V253003 · Exterior Lighting:tail Lights

Aug 17, 1998

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.

94V142000 · Visibility:windshield

Aug 1, 1994

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.