IllustrationA SRTONG ODOR OF GASOLINE CAN BE DETECTED IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT SHORTLY AFTER THE ENGINE IS STARTED. THIS GAS ODOR REMAINS WHENEVER THE CAR IS STOPPED AND THE WINDOWS ARE UP. THE ODOR IS NOT AS STRONG WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING AFTER THE INITIAL ODOR IS DEPLETED BY LOWERING THE WINDOW.*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
What owners actually said
367 reportsWHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH ENGINE QUIT WORKING. THEN, TOWED VEHICLE TO A SHOP, AND TECHNICIAN FOUND OUT THAT CRANKSHAFT WAS BROKEN. COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED BREAKAGE ON CRANKSHAFT. *AK
DOOR LOCK WOULD INTERMITTENTLY RELOCK BY ITSELF UPON UNLOCKING WITH KEY OR USING KEY PAD. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK *SLC
VEHICLE HAS A FUEL LEAKAGE PROBLEM. FUEL LEAKS FROM A HOSE THAT CONNECTS TO ENGINE. DEALER STATED THAT PROBLEM HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH RECALL ON VILLAGER.*AK .
THERES A SMELL OF FUMES COMING FROM SOMEWHERE IN VEHICLE.*AK
SEAT BELT ON PASSENGER'S SIDE DOES NOT RETRACT. DEALER WILL NOT COVER COST, ONLY REPAIRING AT CONSUMER'S COST. *AK
WHEN FUEL TANK IS FILLED FUEL SPEWS FROM TOP OF TANK. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK
WHEN DRIVING DURING HOT WEATHER CONDITIONS AT 70 MPH ENGINE BEGAN TO STALL, AND SHUTDOWN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK EVENTHOUGH THE PROBLEM OCCURED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THE DEALER'S DIAGNOSIS COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *YH
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES EXCEPT WHEN VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP. *SLC
TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AFTER ONE WEEK THEY LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THAT A SPRING HAD COME LOOSE IN THE TRANSMISSON AND HAD MADE THE TRANSMISSION SLIP AND THEN CHEW UP THE GEARS NUMBER 3 AND 4 AND REVERSE THAT IS WHY IT WENT OUT AND THE FACT THAT THEY SA…
Read full complaint
TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AFTER ONE WEEK THEY LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THAT A SPRING HAD COME LOOSE IN THE TRANSMISSON AND HAD MADE THE TRANSMISSION SLIP AND THEN CHEW UP THE GEARS NUMBER 3 AND 4 AND REVERSE THAT IS WHY IT WENT OUT AND THE FACT THAT THEY SAID IT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NOT WELL LUBRICATED IN THE TRANSMISSION THAT WAS WHY IT WENT OUT DUE TO NO NEGLECT ON MY PART . SO I NEED SOMEONE TO LOOK AT THE WHOLE PICTURE AND SEE I HAD MY VAN SERVICED BY THE SAME PEOPLE WHO DID THE TRANSMISSION SO I DID THE MAINTENANCE HOW FORD TOLD ME TO SERVICE IT AND I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION? AND A SPRING WENT LOOSE, AND DID ALL THAT DAMAGE TO THE VAN TRANSMISSION ? I'M AT THERE MERCY OF THE DEALERSHIP AND THEN IT 3 WEEKS TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION? SO THEY HAD THE CAR 4 WEEKS ONE (MONTH) THE DEALERSHIP IS SAN DIEGO AUTO COLLECTION OF MISSION VALLEY IN SAN DIEGO CA.*AK (TIRESIZE: 205R7015)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 205R7015 )
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.