IllustrationRECALL 96 V 253 00E/REAR LAMP SOCKET: REPLACED REAR LAMP BULBS 2-3 TIMES A MONTH. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL DUE TO VIN.*AK DUE TO SAFETY ISSUE WITH NON FUNCTIONING BRAKE LIGHT, CONSUMER PAID TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE REAR LAMP SOCKET ASSEMBLY.*JB
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
Compare all Villager years →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
What owners actually said
253 reportsI REQUESTED BELLEVUE LINCOLN MERCURY INVESTIGATE A 'CLICKING' NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM A GASKET FAILURE BETWEEN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS AND THE ENGINE HEADS. THE PROBABLE CAUSE WAS A FAILURE THE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS. THIS FAILURE ALLOW HOT EXHAUST GASES TO LE…
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I REQUESTED BELLEVUE LINCOLN MERCURY INVESTIGATE A 'CLICKING' NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM A GASKET FAILURE BETWEEN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS AND THE ENGINE HEADS. THE PROBABLE CAUSE WAS A FAILURE THE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS. THIS FAILURE ALLOW HOT EXHAUST GASES TO LEAK AND CAUSE HEAT DAMAGE AND POSSIBLE FAILURE OF ENGINE OR AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENTS. ADDITIONALLY THE EXHAUST GAS MAY BE INTRODUCED INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT POSSIBLY ASPHYXIATING THE OCCUPANTS. DEALER MECHANICS AND OTHER ENGINE MECHANICS STATE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL OF MERCURY VILLAGE VANS, AS WELL AS NISSAN QUEST VANS.*AK
BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS APPEAR TO BE A MFG FLAW AND ARE VERY COMMON. FORD IS DOING NOTHING TO FIX. *AK
THERE IS A GAS LEAK FROM THE MAIN FUEL INTAKE LINE AT THE TOP OF THE ENGINE. IT RUNS DOWN THE BLOCK AND MANIFOLD. NOT ONLY IS THERE CONCERN FOR FIRE BUT ALSO THE ODOR IS VERY STRONG AND UNHEALTHY IN THE PASSENGER CABIN. THIS LEAK APPEARS TO BE DUE TO POOR CLAMP OR HOSE. I HAVE HAD IT FIXED BUT IT HAS RETURNED. I AM UNSURE OF ACT…
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THERE IS A GAS LEAK FROM THE MAIN FUEL INTAKE LINE AT THE TOP OF THE ENGINE. IT RUNS DOWN THE BLOCK AND MANIFOLD. NOT ONLY IS THERE CONCERN FOR FIRE BUT ALSO THE ODOR IS VERY STRONG AND UNHEALTHY IN THE PASSENGER CABIN. THIS LEAK APPEARS TO BE DUE TO POOR CLAMP OR HOSE. I HAVE HAD IT FIXED BUT IT HAS RETURNED. I AM UNSURE OF ACTUAL START DATE AS I STRUGGLED WITH THE GAS ODOR AND LEAKAGE FROM THE VENT HOSE THAT WAS RECALLED FOR OVER 1 YEAR. WHEN I FINALLY GOT IT FIXED I NOTICED THE GAS SMELL DID NOT GO AWAY, SO I WAS PROMPTED TO LOOK ELSEWHERE AND THAT IS WHEN I FOUND THIS MAIN ENGINE FUEL LEAK. PERHAPS IT WAS LEAKING THE WHOLE TIME AS THE GAS ODOR NEVER DISSIPATED. THEREFORE I ARTIFICIALLY USED 4/01/1999 AS THE DATE. ACTUALLY THE PREVIOUS, AND ONLY, OWNER HAD NOTICED THE GAS SMELL BEFORE I PURCHASED BUT HE ALSO ATTRIBUTED TO THE FUEL TANK VENT HOSE (RECALLED) AND HIS ATEMPTS TO FIX WERE NOT SUCCESSFUL EITHER. *AK
ELECTRICAL FAILURES HAVE CAUSED SHORT CIRCUIT IN BOTH DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOWS, AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS. ALSO, REAR DEFROSTER AND AIR CONDITIONER DID NOT WORK. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
IN DECEMBER, WE COULD SMELL GASOLINE VAPORS COMING THROUGH THE DEFROST VENTS ESPECIALLY WHEN THE VAN JUST WAS TURNED ON IN THE COLD MORNING. IN JANUARY, WE TOOK IT TO PHIL LONG FORD (SERVICE ADVISOR: T. J. BROWN) TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND THEY WERE STUMPED AFTER HAVING THE VAN THREE DAYS. THEY HAD TO CALL FORD HEADQUARTERS AND A…
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IN DECEMBER, WE COULD SMELL GASOLINE VAPORS COMING THROUGH THE DEFROST VENTS ESPECIALLY WHEN THE VAN JUST WAS TURNED ON IN THE COLD MORNING. IN JANUARY, WE TOOK IT TO PHIL LONG FORD (SERVICE ADVISOR: T. J. BROWN) TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND THEY WERE STUMPED AFTER HAVING THE VAN THREE DAYS. THEY HAD TO CALL FORD HEADQUARTERS AND ASK WHAT IS GOING ON? THEY FOUND OUT THAT SIX FUEL HOSES AROUND THE ENGINE WERE LEAKING. THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE MERCURY VILLAGER AND THE NISSAN QUEST. THIS COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ESPECIALLY FOR A SMOKER. PLEASE CONTACT ME WHEN YOU CAN. THE VAN HAS BEEN FIXED, BUT OTHER PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.
MY CRANKSHAFT BROKE WHILE TURNING AT A LIGHT INTERSECTION. WHICH BROKE MY TIMING BELT.*AK
INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING 40MPH AND LESS AND WHEN DRIVER LETS UP ON ACCELERATOR VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT AND DIE. DEALER HAS DUPLICATED PROBLEM; HOWEVER, COULD NOT CORRECT IT. *AK
I AM SENDING THIS NOTE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT HOW THE CURRENT RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE IS BEING HANDLED. I HAVE STRUGGLED TO COMPLY WITH THIS RECALL, INVOLVING THE FUEL TANK, FOR OVER ONE MONTH, AND NO DEALER IN THIS AREA SEEMS TO HAVE THE PART, AND THEY HAVE NO CLUE AS TO WHEN THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO REMEDY THIS …
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I AM SENDING THIS NOTE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT HOW THE CURRENT RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE IS BEING HANDLED. I HAVE STRUGGLED TO COMPLY WITH THIS RECALL, INVOLVING THE FUEL TANK, FOR OVER ONE MONTH, AND NO DEALER IN THIS AREA SEEMS TO HAVE THE PART, AND THEY HAVE NO CLUE AS TO WHEN THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Official recalls
300V419002 · 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
5EA00014 · 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.