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 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 1999
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILED FOR FOLLOWING GEARS: REVERSE, 2ND GEAR, AND OVERDRIVE. ALSO THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE NISSAN QUEST VAN FOR THE CYLINODES HOWEVER, MERCURY-FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL AND THE MERCURY VILLAGER AND THE NISSAN QUEST ARE BOTH MANUFACTURED BY FORD. PLEASE CHECK TO SEE IF THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSIO…
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TRANSMISSION FAILED FOR FOLLOWING GEARS: REVERSE, 2ND GEAR, AND OVERDRIVE. ALSO THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE NISSAN QUEST VAN FOR THE CYLINODES HOWEVER, MERCURY-FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL AND THE MERCURY VILLAGER AND THE NISSAN QUEST ARE BOTH MANUFACTURED BY FORD. PLEASE CHECK TO SEE IF THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION FOR THIS VAN AS WELL AS THE CYLINODES.
NHTSA ODI #704593
Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline
THIS PROBLEM OF RAW FUEL SMELL OCCURS MAINLY IN THE WINTER MONTHS BUT HAS OCCURED IN THE SUMMER ON OCCASION. THE VAN HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER APPROX. 10 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THIS CONDITION HAS CAUSED ME TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE OUTSIDE GARAGE WHEN IT OCCURS FOR FEAR OF THE FUEL VAPORS AND HOT WATER HEATER AND FURNACE. MERCURY CA…
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THIS PROBLEM OF RAW FUEL SMELL OCCURS MAINLY IN THE WINTER MONTHS BUT HAS OCCURED IN THE SUMMER ON OCCASION. THE VAN HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER APPROX. 10 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THIS CONDITION HAS CAUSED ME TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE OUTSIDE GARAGE WHEN IT OCCURS FOR FEAR OF THE FUEL VAPORS AND HOT WATER HEATER AND FURNACE. MERCURY CANNOT FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. THEY HAVE FIXED SEVERAL ITEMS THINKING IT WAS FIXED, BUT TO NO AVAIL. MY WIFE HAS BEEN DRIVING TWICE IN A SNOW STORM WHEN THE CONDITION OCCURED. SHE HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS TO GET FRESH AIR, IF SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED ON THE ROAD, NO TELLING WHAT SHE WOULD HAVE DONE. MERCURY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS PUT OUR VEHICLE UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTIES TO COVER THE PROBLEM WHEN IT OCCURS. ALSO, THEY HAVE OFFERED US A $1000.00 VOUCHER FOR THE PURCHASE OF ANOTHER MERCURY VEHICLE. THE VOUCHER IS NOT THE ANSWER, NOR IS THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THIS CONDITION COULD PROVE TO HAVE LONG TERM HEALTH EFFECTS ON MY NOW 4YO DAUGHTER AND MY WIFE AS FUEL ODORS (BENZENE)IS CANCER CAUSING. MY FAMILY HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO ABNORMAL AMOUNTS OF THESE PRODUCTS. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED FOR THE SAKE OF THE SAFETY OF THE FAMILIES THAT DEPEND ON THESE VEHICLES. I NOTICED THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS LOGDED AND 1 TSB ISSUED BY MERCURY IN REGARDS TO A FUEL CAP NEEDING SEALED (WHICH THEY HAVE DONE AND WASNT THE PROBLEM!) THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION IN THIS MATTER.
NHTSA ODI #703830
Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 1999
Seat Belts
PASSENGER LAP SEATBELT DOES NOT COME OUT OF THE HOUSING WHICH WONT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THE PART IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #835023
Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #703451
Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
STRONG GAS VAPOR WAS ENTERING VEHICLE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER AND WAS INFORMED OF CORRODED VAPOR RETURN LINE. DEALER REPLACED IT AT THE COST TO CONSUMER. BELIEVED THIS WAS A DEFECTIVE PART AND TO BE LOOKED INTO. *AK
NHTSA ODI #833127
Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 1999
Seat Belts
ON DEC. 20-98, CONSUMER'S SEAT BELT WOULD PULL OUT ABOUT 12" AND LOCK UP. DEALER REPLACED THE LAP PORTION OF SEAT BELT. ON FEBRUARY 07, 99, SEAT BELT WOULD PULL OUT ABOUT 6" AND LOCK UP. DEALER HAS SET AN APPOINTMENT TO REPAIR FRONT LAP SEAT BELT AGAIN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #834597
Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL LEAKS BETWEEN THE FUEL PUMP AND THE ENGINE, CAUSING FUEL TO SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL FILLER WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #834390
Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 1999
Visibility
REAR WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT GO ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE WINDOW DUE TO HITTING THE WINDOW LATCH THATS USED TO LIFT THE WINDOW. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND REPARIR HAVE BEEN MADE TWICE. AFTER THAT PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED, WIPER GOT STUCK ON NEW HOLDER, AND HAD TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AS WELL. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #833354
Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 1999
Seat Belts
PASSENGER'S SIDE LAP SEAT BELT HAS STOPPED WORKING. IT DOES NOT COME OUT OF THE HOUSING UNIT SO THAT PASSENGER CAN PULL IT OVER LAP. CONSUMER HAS HAD IT REPLACED TWICE, AND IT HAS DONE THE SAME THING BOTH TIMES. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #832996
Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 1998
Visibility
GAS FUMES WOULD COME INTO THE VEHICLE WHENEVER THE HEATER IS TURNED ON. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT DEALER SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND CONDITION STILL OCCURS. *AK
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.
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.
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.
1995 Mercury Villager Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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