NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
367 reports72,000 miles · Jan 2, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
1995 MERCURY VILLAGER BOUGHT USED IN JULY 2004, WITH 70,000 MILES. EXHAUST NOISE STARTED 2 MONTHS LATER. MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT IT'S A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH ALL OF THESE VEHICLES -- THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BREAK. SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM AND SO WELL KNOWN, YET THERE'S NO RECALL???!?!??! WHO IS LOOKING OUT FOR THE CONSUMER? …
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1995 MERCURY VILLAGER BOUGHT USED IN JULY 2004, WITH 70,000 MILES. EXHAUST NOISE STARTED 2 MONTHS LATER. MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT IT'S A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH ALL OF THESE VEHICLES -- THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BREAK. SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM AND SO WELL KNOWN, YET THERE'S NO RECALL???!?!??! WHO IS LOOKING OUT FOR THE CONSUMER? *JB
NHTSA ODI #10105612
Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2004
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ALTHOUGH THE DRIVER'S FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. *NM ON A SECOND OCCASION THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND THE CONSUMER HIT A PARKED VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WENT INTO REVERSE AND BACKED INTO A GARAGE DOOR. *TC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10101380
Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
ALWAYS HAVE A GAS ODOR IN THE CAR
NHTSA ODI #10090505
Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2004
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
VERY STRONG SMELLING GAS FUMES INSIDE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHEN HEATER IS TURNED ON. WHILE DRIVING THE SPEED GAUGE WILL STOP WORKING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON. BRAKES MAKE A GRINDING NOISE EVEN AFTER BEING REPLACED. CV BOOT IS LEAKING AND CRACKED. DRIVER SIDE AUTO-SEAT BELT SOMETIMES FAILS TO GO UP AND DOWN. REA…
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VERY STRONG SMELLING GAS FUMES INSIDE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHEN HEATER IS TURNED ON. WHILE DRIVING THE SPEED GAUGE WILL STOP WORKING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON. BRAKES MAKE A GRINDING NOISE EVEN AFTER BEING REPLACED. CV BOOT IS LEAKING AND CRACKED. DRIVER SIDE AUTO-SEAT BELT SOMETIMES FAILS TO GO UP AND DOWN. REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER GETS STUCK IN UP POSITIONS WHEN TRING TO USE IT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10080599
123,994 miles · Jun 2, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFireInjury
MY 1995 MERCURY VILLAGER VAN THAT I PURCHASED 02-08-2004 (USED, AS IS) FROM ACE AUTO SALES IN MOBILE AL. CAUGHT ON FIRE ON A LONG BRIDGE GOING OVER WATER TO TAKE MY FRIEND TO WORK IT SHUT DOWN ON US WHILE WE WERE GOING AT LEAST 65MPH THE VAN STARTED SMOKING WE PULLED OVER JUMPED OUT AND IT EXPLODED 3 TIMES FIRE WAS SHOOTING FRO…
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MY 1995 MERCURY VILLAGER VAN THAT I PURCHASED 02-08-2004 (USED, AS IS) FROM ACE AUTO SALES IN MOBILE AL. CAUGHT ON FIRE ON A LONG BRIDGE GOING OVER WATER TO TAKE MY FRIEND TO WORK IT SHUT DOWN ON US WHILE WE WERE GOING AT LEAST 65MPH THE VAN STARTED SMOKING WE PULLED OVER JUMPED OUT AND IT EXPLODED 3 TIMES FIRE WAS SHOOTING FROM UP UNDER THE HOOD MY FRIEND STRUGGLED TO MY BABY OUT OF THE VAN BY THAT TIME IT EXPLODED AGAIN, THEY HAD TO DUCK DOWN BECAUSE MOTER OIL WAS SHOOTING OUT THEY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED, THEY COULD HAVE FELL OVER THE BRIDGE!!!! WE HAD TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMEN BY THE TIME THEY GOT THERE THE FIRE WAS OUT MY FRIEND GOT BURNT TRYING TO PUT IT OUT WE HAD TO BECAUSE THE FIRE HAD SPREAD UNDER THE VAN BECAUSE OF THE OIL, THE GROUND WAS ON FIRE , I PAYED $1500 DWN AND $200 A MONTH FOR 2 1/2 MONTHS AND I HAVE NO CAR THE DEALER DOESN'T CARE THAT WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED AND HE DOESN'T CARE THAT IM A SINGLE PARENT WITH 5 CHILDREN AGES 9 MONTHS TO 14YRS AND ONE IS DISABLED THEY OFFERD NO HELP THEY TOOK MY MONEY THATS NOT EASY TO COME UP WITH WHEN YOU HAVE KIDS AND RAN WITH IT IM A POOR YOUNG WOMAN TRYING TO MAKE IT AND BECAUSE OF THE AS IS LAW I GET SHAFTED WHAT AM I SUPPOSE TO DO I CANT EVEN TAKE MY SICK DAUGHTER TO THE DOCTOR SHE HAD A STROKE WHEN SHE WAS 7YRS SHES 10 NOW AND SHES HAS A TRACHE AND IS IN AND OUT OF A WHEEL CHAIR SHE CANT USE HER LEFT SIDE OF HER BODY. I SEEN ON THE INTERNET THAT THE MERCURY VILLARGER HAD SOME RECALLS WHAT IM I GOING TO DO LIKE I SAID IM A STRUGGLING WOMAN .TRYING TO RAISE HER KIDS HOW AM I GOING TO GET THEM TO SCHOOL .*AK
NHTSA ODI #10074654
Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline
I OWN A 1995 MERCURY VILLAGER. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM A USED CAR DEALER. SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THREE YEARS AGO, I HAVE HAD A RECURRENT PROBLEM WITH SMELLING GAS FUMES IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE VAN. I HAVE TAKEN THE VAN TO A FORD DEALERSHIP, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP, AND AN INDEP…
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I OWN A 1995 MERCURY VILLAGER. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM A USED CAR DEALER. SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THREE YEARS AGO, I HAVE HAD A RECURRENT PROBLEM WITH SMELLING GAS FUMES IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE VAN. I HAVE TAKEN THE VAN TO A FORD DEALERSHIP, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP, AND AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE STATION. NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE GAS SMELL. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF MY CHILDREN. GAS FUMES ARE VOLATILE, AND IF THEY ARE STRONG ENOUGH FOR ME TO DETECT THE ODOR, THEN I FEEL THE VAN IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO HAVE THE PROBLEM REPAIRED, BUT NO ONE SEEMS ABLE TO DETECT THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY DIRECTLY, BUT I RECEIVED VERY LITTLE INFORMATION FROM THEM. I HAVE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET OF OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE READ WHERE OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS HAVE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. WHEN I CALLED FORD, THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD RECEIVED NO OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS TYPE. I FEEL THERE IS A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THE SAFETY ISSUE OF DRIVING A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10065936
147,000 miles · Feb 19, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL ODOR INSIDE PASSANGER COMPARTMENT DUE TO FUEL LINE LEAK ON FUEL INJECTOR RAIL SEVERE FIRE HAZARD BAD PLACEMENT OF RUBBER FUEL LINE.!!!!!
NHTSA ODI #10058446
89,000 miles · Feb 5, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury
WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. THE DUAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER CHEST. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10057584
109,570 miles · Jan 20, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY 1995 MERCURY VILLAGER HAS A CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD DUE TO FAULTY STUDS. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. WHERE IS THE RECALL? TO FIX PROBLEM I HAVE BEEN QUOTED $1,500 FROM A DEALER! *AK
NHTSA ODI #10054539
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineStructure
SIDE SLIDING DOOR STICKS,SLIDING DOOR WINDOW DOESNT STAY SHUT,LOCKS WILL LOCK THEMSELVES ,BACK WIPER MALFUNCTIONS,GRINDING AND SQUEAKING FROM BRAKES,SMELL OF FUEL FROM PASSENGER SIDE AND PASSENGER P/W STICKS SOMETIMES
NHTSA ODI #10070535
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.
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