NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
367 reports120,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSeat Belts
THE PAINT IS CRACKED ON THE HOOD, UNKNOWN WHAT MONTH, ABOUT 1997. WE NEVER HAD IT FIXED. DRIVERS DOOR SEATBELT STAYS IN THE RUNNING POSITION, IT WON'T MOVE FORWARD, BUT IT MAKES A LOUD MOTOR NOISE, UNKNOWN WHAT MONTH, SINCE ABOUT 1999. WE NEVER HAD IT FIXED. THE SEAT BELT ON THE RIGHT NEXT TO THE MIDDLE SEAT FELL OFF. WE TOLD …
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THE PAINT IS CRACKED ON THE HOOD, UNKNOWN WHAT MONTH, ABOUT 1997. WE NEVER HAD IT FIXED. DRIVERS DOOR SEATBELT STAYS IN THE RUNNING POSITION, IT WON'T MOVE FORWARD, BUT IT MAKES A LOUD MOTOR NOISE, UNKNOWN WHAT MONTH, SINCE ABOUT 1999. WE NEVER HAD IT FIXED. THE SEAT BELT ON THE RIGHT NEXT TO THE MIDDLE SEAT FELL OFF. WE TOLD THE DEALER. THEY ORDERED ONE. WE WENT BACK ABOUT A MONTH LATER THEY SAID IT WAS TOO LATE TO FIX IT. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN ABOUT MAY OF 1998, AT ABOUT 120,000 MILES. WE HAD IT REBUILT. IT WENT OUT AGAIN ABOUT A YR LATER. WE CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE IT REBUILT AGAIN RIGHT NOW. SO IT SITS. IN JUL OR AUG OF 1998, THE MOTOR WENT OUT. WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, AND IT STARTED KNOCKING, THEN QUIT. ALSO ON CHRISTMAS EVE OF 1997, WE WERE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE THING SOUNDED LIKE ALL THE RODS WERE KNOCKING. THE TEMP GAUGE SAID IT WAS OVER HEATING. WE PAID A GUY $100 TO BRING IT FROM EDMORE, MI TO BATTLE CREEK, MI. THE NEXT DAY WE WENT OUT AND STARTED IT, AND IT WAS FINE. OUR TAIL LIGHTS ALSO WENT OUT, THE FORD DEALER FIXED THEM. SO NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WILL NEVER BUY A MERCURY AGAIN. IF I HAD WANTED A NISSAN, I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT A NISSAN. I HAVE A 1976 FORD CHATEAU CLUB WAGON, OVER 250,000 MILES. IT HAS ONLY HAD TO HAVE A TRANSMISSION AT ABOUT 240,000 MILES. SO I GUESS I AM SAYING THIS VILLAGER IS A LEMON. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING, DAWN GREEN
NHTSA ODI #10070382
83,000 miles · Jan 6, 2004
Seat Belts
FRONT PASSENGER LAP SEAT BELT WOULD NOT LOCK INTO THE BELT BUCKLE. THE CONSUMER WAS ONLY ABLE TO WEAR THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER SEAT BELT. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10053428
85,441 miles · Dec 15, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT INTERMITTENT GAS FUMES SINCE JANUARY 2001. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM AND VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. YET, VEHICLE WAS STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10050566
107,000 miles · Nov 28, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH HEARD ENGINE RATTLING NOISE. ENGINE QUIT RUNNING AND FAILED TO RESTART. TOWED TO MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED CRANKSHAFT WAS BROKEN. MECHANIC SAID HE HAS HAD 3 OTHER BROKEN CRANKSHAFTS ON SAME MODEL VEHICLE WITH FRONT WHEEL DRIVE, TRANSVERSELY MOUNTED ENGINE, BUT NO SUCH PROBLEMS SEEN WHEN SAME ENGINE IS MOUNT…
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WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH HEARD ENGINE RATTLING NOISE. ENGINE QUIT RUNNING AND FAILED TO RESTART. TOWED TO MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED CRANKSHAFT WAS BROKEN. MECHANIC SAID HE HAS HAD 3 OTHER BROKEN CRANKSHAFTS ON SAME MODEL VEHICLE WITH FRONT WHEEL DRIVE, TRANSVERSELY MOUNTED ENGINE, BUT NO SUCH PROBLEMS SEEN WHEN SAME ENGINE IS MOUNTED WITH DRIVESHAFT TO REAR WHEELS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10047724
87,000 miles · Oct 30, 2003
Latches/locks/linkagesInjury
MY SLIDING DOOR LATCH ON MY 1995 MERCURY VILLAGER POPS OPEN WHEN I AM DRIVING!!! I AM AFRAID MY CHILD WILL FALL OUT AND I WILL SUE MERCURY FOR A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10045128
83,251 miles · Oct 20, 2003
Seat Belts
FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE LAP SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM ITS HOLSTER. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE ENTIRE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10044301
Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2003
Electrical System
WHEN UNLOCKING DOORS WITH THE KEY, IT WILL RE-LOCK IT SELF AGAIN UPON OPENING THE DOOR, ALSO IF USING THE KEY PAD FOR UNLOCKING THE DOORS IT WILL LOCK IT SELF WHEN I PULL THE HANDLE TO ENTER THE CAR, AT ONE POINT WHILE SITTING IN THE CAR THE DOORS LOCKED ALL BY THEMSELVES WHILE THE CAR WAS ON. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THEY'RE LOCKED…
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WHEN UNLOCKING DOORS WITH THE KEY, IT WILL RE-LOCK IT SELF AGAIN UPON OPENING THE DOOR, ALSO IF USING THE KEY PAD FOR UNLOCKING THE DOORS IT WILL LOCK IT SELF WHEN I PULL THE HANDLE TO ENTER THE CAR, AT ONE POINT WHILE SITTING IN THE CAR THE DOORS LOCKED ALL BY THEMSELVES WHILE THE CAR WAS ON. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THEY'RE LOCKED WHILE NO ONE WAS TOUCHING THE CAR WE HEARD THE LOCKS CLICK. I HAVE HAD THE LOCKS REPLACED ON ALL DOORS MORE THAN ONCE AND THE PROBLEM KEEPS RECURRING AFTER A 6 TO 8 MONTH PERIOD. THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM I WANT ANSWERS NOW. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10041359
Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2003
Seat Belts
THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS STOPPED WORKING ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE. VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 7/16/2003. *AK IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT THE SEAT BELT MODULES HAD GONE BAD. THE DEALER DIDN'T HAVE THE PART SO THE CONSUMER HAD STARTED BACK TRAVELING, AND TWO DAYS INTO THE TRIP THE SEAT BELTS STARTED TO WOR…
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THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS STOPPED WORKING ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE. VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 7/16/2003. *AK IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT THE SEAT BELT MODULES HAD GONE BAD. THE DEALER DIDN'T HAVE THE PART SO THE CONSUMER HAD STARTED BACK TRAVELING, AND TWO DAYS INTO THE TRIP THE SEAT BELTS STARTED TO WORK AGAIN. *SCC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10027275
82,000 miles · Jun 24, 2003
EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUD BREAKAGE ON 1995 MERCURY VILLIGER. EXHAUST FUMES LEAK INTO PASSENGER CABIN THROUGH FRESH AIR INLET.
NHTSA ODI #10023642
Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2003
Seat Belts
CONSUMER STATES THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AND THE REAR SECOND ROAD BELTS AND BUCKLES ARE NOT WORKING AT ALL. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND TO FIX THE PROBLEM WILL COST $ 650.00. VEHICLE IS WITHOUT WARRANTY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10024576
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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