IllustrationINSIDE OF VEHICLE THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE. IT OCCURS AT REFUELING, STOPPING, DRIVING, REGARDLESS OF GAS TANK LEVEL. IT WAS REPAIRED ONCE (IN 2000) GAS VENT LINE RECALL, HOWEVER IT CONTINUED AND IS GETTING WORSE.*AK
1995 Mercury Villager
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Villager years
Owner complaints for the 1995 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: 44 of 367 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 95 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 72 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
26 crash reports7 fire reports19 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
95 reportsBOTH EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAKING. SPOKE WITH FOUR DIFFERENT LINCOLN/NISSAN DEALERSHIPS, ALL SAID THIS WAS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THAT YEAR VILLAGERS. SLIDING RATTLED FROM DAY OF PURCHASE, SEVERAL TRIPS TO DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND SOURCE OF NOISE. HAVE IGNORED SINCE. REAR HATCH LOCK MECHANISM OCCASIONALLY DOES NOT LATCH AND MAK…
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BOTH EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAKING. SPOKE WITH FOUR DIFFERENT LINCOLN/NISSAN DEALERSHIPS, ALL SAID THIS WAS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THAT YEAR VILLAGERS. SLIDING RATTLED FROM DAY OF PURCHASE, SEVERAL TRIPS TO DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND SOURCE OF NOISE. HAVE IGNORED SINCE. REAR HATCH LOCK MECHANISM OCCASIONALLY DOES NOT LATCH AND MAKES GRINDING NOISE. REQUEST ALL APPLICABLE TECHNICAL BULLETINS.*AK
WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE, FUEL PUMP BEGAN TO HOWL LOUDLY AND AT TIMES ACTED LIKE IT WAS SHUTING DOWN BUT WAS OK PER DEALER. MOTOR FAILED CAUSED BY "LACK" OF LUBRICATING HOLES IN BLOCK PER THE DEALER, WAS REPLACED TWO WEEKS LATER THE MOTOR STUMBLED AND SHUTDOWN AGAIN BUT RESTARTED 1 HOUR LATER. REAR BRAKES GRIND LOUDLY AND SQUEKS WHI…
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WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE, FUEL PUMP BEGAN TO HOWL LOUDLY AND AT TIMES ACTED LIKE IT WAS SHUTING DOWN BUT WAS OK PER DEALER. MOTOR FAILED CAUSED BY "LACK" OF LUBRICATING HOLES IN BLOCK PER THE DEALER, WAS REPLACED TWO WEEKS LATER THE MOTOR STUMBLED AND SHUTDOWN AGAIN BUT RESTARTED 1 HOUR LATER. REAR BRAKES GRIND LOUDLY AND SQUEKS WHILE DRIVING. TOLD NOTHING WRONG BUT IT CONTINUES.*AK
RECALL 00V419002 THERE ARE FUEL SMELLS/ TERRIBLE ODORS COMING THROUGH. A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 179, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. CRANKSHAFT HAD BROKEN, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK
WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VACUUM LINE TO EGR WAS BROKEN.*YH
I WAS GETTING A CHECK ENGINE CODE FOR A LONG TIME ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM WAS DIFFICULT TO SOLVE. FINALLY, I READ ON THE INTERNET THAT THE EGR BPT HOSE (ABOUT 2 INCHES LONG) WAS THE COMMON CAUSE OF THIS LIGHT TO COME ON AND OFF. WHEN I FINALLY GOT A MECHANIC TO CHECK, THE HOSE HAD TOTALLY ROTTED AWAY. IF THIS IS SUCH A BIG PROBLEM,…
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I WAS GETTING A CHECK ENGINE CODE FOR A LONG TIME ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM WAS DIFFICULT TO SOLVE. FINALLY, I READ ON THE INTERNET THAT THE EGR BPT HOSE (ABOUT 2 INCHES LONG) WAS THE COMMON CAUSE OF THIS LIGHT TO COME ON AND OFF. WHEN I FINALLY GOT A MECHANIC TO CHECK, THE HOSE HAD TOTALLY ROTTED AWAY. IF THIS IS SUCH A BIG PROBLEM, THEN FORD SHOULD BE FIXING THEM. ALSO, THE CLAMPS TO MY FLEX TUBE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER ARE RUSTED AWAY AND GONE! I LIVE IN THE SOUTHEAST...SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM.*AK
EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAD BEEN REPLACED BY MERCURY DEALER ONCE ( COST $1500), NOW IT CRACK AGAIN, IT HAS BEEN PROBLEM TO MANY OWNER OF THIS CAR. *AK
!!!EMERGENCY ALERT!!! NHTSA RECALL NO. 00V419002 MFG. NO 00S59B PRESENTS ADDITIONAL, MORE SERIOUS RISK OF INJURY AND EXPLOSION. MY WIFE AND I COMMUTE OUR CHILDREN 30 MILES TO SCHOOL (2 HOURS AVE. DAILY). SHE PRIMARILY DRIVES THE VILLAGER. IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR SHE DEVELOPED SERIOUS TINGLING AND NUMBNESS THROUGHOUT HER EXTR…
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!!!EMERGENCY ALERT!!! NHTSA RECALL NO. 00V419002 MFG. NO 00S59B PRESENTS ADDITIONAL, MORE SERIOUS RISK OF INJURY AND EXPLOSION. MY WIFE AND I COMMUTE OUR CHILDREN 30 MILES TO SCHOOL (2 HOURS AVE. DAILY). SHE PRIMARILY DRIVES THE VILLAGER. IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR SHE DEVELOPED SERIOUS TINGLING AND NUMBNESS THROUGHOUT HER EXTREMITIES INCLUDING FACIAL, FOOT AND HAND SUPERSENSITIVITY. THE CONDITION GREW WORSE AS THE MONTHS PASSED. WE SPENT MAY AND JUNE WITH DOCTORS PERFORMING MRIS AND NERVE CONDUCTION TESTS TO RULE OUT MS OR OTHER NEUROPATHY. UNTIL LAST WEEK WE WERE CLUELESS. FOR ABOUT A YEAR WE BEGAN NOTICING FAINT GASOLINE SMELLS IN THE CABIN OF OUR VILLAGER. THE WERE MILD AT FIRST. THEY BECAME MORE INTENSE IN JANUARY OF 2001. SEVERAL MONTHS AGO WE GOT THE NOTICE OF THE REFERRENCED RECALL REGARDING THE FUEL VENT LINE. WE EVENTUALLY HAD THE RECALL WORK SCHEDULED FOR JULY 2, 2001. AFTER RETURNING TO OUR FORD REPAIR SHOP AT THE END OF THE DAY ON THE 2ND, WE WERE TOLD TO COME BACK ON THE 9TH BECAUSE A NEW MOTOR WAS NEEDED PER ANOTHER RECALL, AND THAT BOTH WOULD BE DONE AT THE SAME TIME. WE DELIVERED THE VEHICLE TO FORD ON THE 9TH. BY CIRCUMSTANCES IT WAS NOT FINISHED UNTIL THE 17TH. BY ABOUT THE 16TH, (1 WEEK BEING WITHOUT THE VEHICLE) MY WIFE NOTICED REMARKABLE IMPROVEMENT IN HER SYPTOMS. THIS GAVE ME CAUSE TO INVESTIGATE POSSIBLE CONNECTION TO THE RECALL. MY DETERMINATION IS THAT IN ADDITION TO RISK OF GAS SPILLAGE DUE TO THE CRACKED VENT HOSE, GASOLINE FUMES CAN ENTER THE CABIN IF THE AIRCONDITIONING OR HEAT IS ON THE "MAX" POSITION WHICH CAUSES A VACCUUM IN THE CABIN. THIS VACCUUM DRAWS GAS FUMES THROUGH THE CABIN WALL NEAR THE GAS FUEL VENT. WE HAVE HAD MEDICAL BILLS IN THE MANY THOUSANDS. MY WIFE CANNOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE AS SHE CAN SMELL THE GAS IN THE UPHOLSTERY. AND, THIS COULD BE AN "EXPLOSION" HAZARD RATHER THAN JUST A "FIRE" HAZARD. THIS NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION AND WARNING TO THE PUBLIC!!!!!!!!
FUEL VAPORS WERE IN PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND MADE NECESSARY REPAIRS. VEHICLE WAS AFFECTED BY RECALL 00V419002. BUT, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT REPAIR WORK WAS UNRELATED TO THIS CAMPAIGN. *AK CONUMER STATES FULE LINES WERE LEAKING AT FUEL RAIL, THRER WAS ALSO LEAK UNDER VEHICLE WHICH WAS …
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FUEL VAPORS WERE IN PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND MADE NECESSARY REPAIRS. VEHICLE WAS AFFECTED BY RECALL 00V419002. BUT, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT REPAIR WORK WAS UNRELATED TO THIS CAMPAIGN. *AK CONUMER STATES FULE LINES WERE LEAKING AT FUEL RAIL, THRER WAS ALSO LEAK UNDER VEHICLE WHICH WAS DETERMINED TO BE POWER STEERING LEAK FROM A HOSE.*JB
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.
96V089001 · Seats
Jun 3, 1996
AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION CONDITION IN THE SEAT CABLE ROLLER PULLEY ASSEMBLY CAN ALLOW THE CABLE THAT CONNECTS THE SEAT ADJUST LEVER TO THE LATCH TO BE PINCHED IN THE ROLLER ASSEMBLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THIS CONDITION CAN PREVENT THE LATCH ON THE LEFT SIDE FROM FULLY ENGAGING THE SEAT RAIL. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT OF FMVSS NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE A COMPONENT IN THE THIRD ROW SLIDING BENCH SEAT LATCH ASSEMBLY.
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
6EA00014 · 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.
SQ00008 · Unexpected Opening On Sliding Door
Opened May 12, 2000 · Closed Apr 1, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
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.