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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 →

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

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

72 reports
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65,000 miles · Apr 12, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline

AFTER STARTING THE CAR, PARTICULARITY IN COLDER WEATHER, THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. UPON ENGINE INSPECTION, THERE IS A NOTICEABLE GASOLINE "WETNESS" UNDER THE FUEL INJECTOR. A NUMBER OF VISITS TO A LOCAL DEALER IN WHITE PLAINS PRODUCED "WE SMELL IT BUT CANNOT FIND IT" RESPONSE. NEW CLAMP…

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AFTER STARTING THE CAR, PARTICULARITY IN COLDER WEATHER, THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. UPON ENGINE INSPECTION, THERE IS A NOTICEABLE GASOLINE "WETNESS" UNDER THE FUEL INJECTOR. A NUMBER OF VISITS TO A LOCAL DEALER IN WHITE PLAINS PRODUCED "WE SMELL IT BUT CANNOT FIND IT" RESPONSE. NEW CLAMPS ON THE RUBBER HOUSE UNDER THE FUEL INJECTOR WHERE "WETNESS" WAS OBSERVED DID NOT PREVENT THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM APPEARS PROGRESSIVE. CURRENTLY (ONE YEAR LATER), THE SMELL OF FUEL IS CONSTANT. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10014307

90,625 miles · Jan 29, 2003
Fuel System, GasolineFire

THE VAN STARTED TO SPUTTER AND THE ENGINE CUT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH. I MANAGED TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND NOTICE SMOKE ENTERING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE SMOKE DIDN'T SMELL LIKE STEAM FROM OVERHEATING BUT A THICK BLACK SMOKE. I MOVED A SAFE DISTANCE FROM THE VAN AND CONTACTED THE POLICE …

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THE VAN STARTED TO SPUTTER AND THE ENGINE CUT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH. I MANAGED TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND NOTICE SMOKE ENTERING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE SMOKE DIDN'T SMELL LIKE STEAM FROM OVERHEATING BUT A THICK BLACK SMOKE. I MOVED A SAFE DISTANCE FROM THE VAN AND CONTACTED THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BURST INTO FLAMES BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. THE VAN WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND THE ESTIMATED DAMAGE WAS $13000. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WROTE OFF THE VEHICLE AND ONLY PAID $9000. I SUSPECT THE PROBLEM OF FUEL VAPOURS (APPEARS TO BE COMMON IN THE MERCURY VILLAGER) IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WERE IGNITED BY A SPARK FROM THE PLUG WIRES FROM RAIN ENTERING THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE DEALER HAD REPLACED THE FUEL FILLER GASKET UNDER A RECALL A MONTH EARLIER.

NHTSA ODI #10004905

Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

GAS SMELL AND LEAK ON THE ENGINE NEOPRINE LINES CONNECTING TO FUEL INJECTION TRACK CLAMPS COMING LOOSE VERY DANGEROUS! DT

NHTSA ODI #770459

Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

GAS LINE LEAK VERY STRONG GAS SMELL IN CAR. TS

NHTSA ODI #767809

Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

CONSUMER STATES THAT EVERYTIME SHE TURNS ON THE HEATHER THEIR IS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE IS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER A FEW TIMES FOR REPAIR BUT PROBLEM STILL PERSIST. NLM

NHTSA ODI #8018599

Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

THERE IS A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GAS INSIDE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS GOTTEN SICK FROM SMELL BEFORE. CONTACTED DEALER WHO WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *AK *YH

NHTSA ODI #8008834

Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

HOSE REPLACED BUT STILL STRONG FUEL SMELL BUT INTERMITTENT. NO NEW LEAK FOUND. *AK

NHTSA ODI #761254

Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

CONSUMER STATES THAT AFTER THE RECALL WAS REPAIRED VAPOR FUMES CONTINUED TO ENTER INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT: KIMBALL FORD IN CEDARTOWN, GA 770-748-3673. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. NLM

NHTSA ODI #8006614

Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

WHEN FIRST STARTING UP VEHICLE THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF GAS FUMES. GAS SMELLS RAW.*AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #8004872

Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline

WNEN FUEL TANK IS FILLED GASOLINE SPILLS FROM GAS TANK. CONSUMER SMELLED GASOLINE EARLY ON, AND NOTIFIED DEALERSHIP. *AK

NHTSA ODI #899266

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.

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

6

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.

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.