NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
367 reportsMileage unknown · Mar 19, 2002
Power Train
LOST REVERSE GEAR ON TRANSMISSION. TOOK TO THE NEAREST TRANSMISSION SHOP. OWNER SAID A PIECE HAD BROKEN APART IN THE TRANSMISSION, WEARING A GROOVE IN THE REVERSE CYLINDER. THE TRANSMISSION WAS FULL OF METAL PIECES. AFTER A $2000 REPAIR, FORD TELLS ME THAT THEY WON'T HONOR ANY WORK DONE AT A NONE FORD REPAIR SHOP. I BELIEVE THAT…
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LOST REVERSE GEAR ON TRANSMISSION. TOOK TO THE NEAREST TRANSMISSION SHOP. OWNER SAID A PIECE HAD BROKEN APART IN THE TRANSMISSION, WEARING A GROOVE IN THE REVERSE CYLINDER. THE TRANSMISSION WAS FULL OF METAL PIECES. AFTER A $2000 REPAIR, FORD TELLS ME THAT THEY WON'T HONOR ANY WORK DONE AT A NONE FORD REPAIR SHOP. I BELIEVE THAT THIS DEFECT HAS BEEN SEEN IN OTHER TRANSMISSION FAILURES IN THESE VEHICLES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #759525
Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE BRAKING SYSTEM WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ENGAGE AT ALL SPEEDS AFTER DRIVING FOR 20 TO 30 MINUTES. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM DURING 2 PRIOR SERVICE VISITS. AT THE BEGINNING THIS WOULD SIMPLY CREATE A DRAG EFFECT, BUT DURING THE LATEST INSTANCE THAT OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE FRICTION CREATED EN…
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THE BRAKING SYSTEM WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ENGAGE AT ALL SPEEDS AFTER DRIVING FOR 20 TO 30 MINUTES. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM DURING 2 PRIOR SERVICE VISITS. AT THE BEGINNING THIS WOULD SIMPLY CREATE A DRAG EFFECT, BUT DURING THE LATEST INSTANCE THAT OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE FRICTION CREATED ENOUGH HEAT TO ELICIT A BURNING SMELL, AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWED IT STOPPED ABRUBTLY FROM 20 MPH, LOCKING UP THE BRAKES. IT TOOK OVER AN HOUR FOR THE BRAKES TO COOL TO THE POINT WHERE THEY WOULD RELEASE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #759348
Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2002
Power Train
GEAR SHIFT WILL INDICATE THAT VEHICLE IS IN PARK, BUT WILL ACTUALLY BE IN REVERSE AND ROLL AWAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TWO STAR HEAD SCREWS UNDER THE DASH ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN BACKED OFF FROM THEIR PROPER POSITION, ALLOWING THE LINKAGE AND SHIFTI…
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GEAR SHIFT WILL INDICATE THAT VEHICLE IS IN PARK, BUT WILL ACTUALLY BE IN REVERSE AND ROLL AWAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TWO STAR HEAD SCREWS UNDER THE DASH ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN BACKED OFF FROM THEIR PROPER POSITION, ALLOWING THE LINKAGE AND SHIFTING INDICATOR TO MOVE. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #8005339
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 · Mar 1, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE FIRST RETAINING NUT FELL OFF IN 1999, NOW THE THREADED STUDS ARE SNAPPING, CAUSING EXHAUST FUME LEAKS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #758808
Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2002
Visibility
WHILE IN MOTION, THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR WINDOW SUDDENLY RELEASED FROM THE MOUNTING CHANNEL, BROKE THE ELECTRONIC LATCH, AND FELL OUT.*JG THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE WINDOW HAS A DESIGN DEFECT. *YH
NHTSA ODI #564542
Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingSeat BeltsService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
1) HEATER: ALMOST CAUSED ELEC. FIRE, STOPPED WORKING, NOW NEEDS MOTOR REPLACED; 2) ABS FAILED ON SNOWY ROADS CAUSING SINGLE-VEHICLE ACCIDENT TO FRONT LEFT OF VEHICLE; 3) RECALL ON FUEL VENT HOSE, WILL REPLACE; 4) FRONT RT. LAP BELT WILL NOT PULL OUT (STUCK) NEEDS REPAIR/REPLACED; 5) OIL FILTER'S VERY VERY LOW LOCATION ON UNDERCA…
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1) HEATER: ALMOST CAUSED ELEC. FIRE, STOPPED WORKING, NOW NEEDS MOTOR REPLACED; 2) ABS FAILED ON SNOWY ROADS CAUSING SINGLE-VEHICLE ACCIDENT TO FRONT LEFT OF VEHICLE; 3) RECALL ON FUEL VENT HOSE, WILL REPLACE; 4) FRONT RT. LAP BELT WILL NOT PULL OUT (STUCK) NEEDS REPAIR/REPLACED; 5) OIL FILTER'S VERY VERY LOW LOCATION ON UNDERCARRIAGE FRONT, CAUSED DAMAGE TO FILTER, ALL OIL SPILLED OUT WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, RAN OVER SNOW LEFT BY ROAD COMMISSION PLOW, CAUSED DAMAGE TO ROD BEARINGS, AND ENGINE, VEHICLE CURRENTLY OUT OF COMMISSION AWAITING REPAIRS, $500 COLLISSION DEDUCTIBLE.
NHTSA ODI #757789
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2002
Seat Belts
WHY DON'T THE MANUFACTURES REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS IF THEY ARE DANGEROUS ? IHAVE TO KEEP REMINDING KIDDS AND MYSELF TO SNAP THE LAP BELT, AND AFTER YOU GET USE TO THEM YOU SEEM TO FORGET TO USE REGULAR SEAT BELTS IN OTHER VEHICLES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #757625
Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2002
Seat Belts
IN MID TO LATE 1995 MY MOTHER-IN-LAW PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND LATER GAVE THE AUTO TO MY WIFE AND I. THIS VEHICLE HAS RETRACTABLE SHOULDER BELTS. SEVERAL TIMES, FOR NO APPARENT REASON THE SHOULDER BELT HAS QUIT WORKING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BABB FORD IN MID 2000. (JUNE, I BELIEVE) ON MAY 27,2001 I RETURNED THE AUTO TO BABB …
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IN MID TO LATE 1995 MY MOTHER-IN-LAW PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND LATER GAVE THE AUTO TO MY WIFE AND I. THIS VEHICLE HAS RETRACTABLE SHOULDER BELTS. SEVERAL TIMES, FOR NO APPARENT REASON THE SHOULDER BELT HAS QUIT WORKING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BABB FORD IN MID 2000. (JUNE, I BELIEVE) ON MAY 27,2001 I RETURNED THE AUTO TO BABB FORD AGAIN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I SHOWED THEM MY RECEIPT FROM THE YEAR BEFORE AND STATED THAT I WASN'T PAYING FOR ANOTHER INERTIA SWITCH THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED THE SUMMER BEFORE. THE MECHANIC "TINKERED" WITH THE WIRING AND FOUND THAT WHEN HE DISCONNECTED A WIRE AT THE INERTIA SWITCH, THE SYSTEM WORKED AND IT HAS NOT FALTERED SINCE. HE AND/OR THE SERVICE MANAGER CONTACTED FORD/MERCURY AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION TO THEM AND THEY WERE TOLD THAT THE SITUATION COULD NOT HAPPEN. I'M HERE TO TELL YOU IT DID. MY CONCERN NOW IS WETHER OR NOT THE FUEL SHUT OFF PORTION OF THE INERTIA SWITCH IS FUNTIONAL OR IF IT IS NOT. FORD/MERCURY HAS NOT GOTTEN BACK WITH MY DEALER TO TELL THEM OF ANY NEW INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #757512
Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS FAILED. THE LEFT EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND ALL STUDS WERE REPLACED 09/16/99, 51,590 MILEAGE. THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE OF THE LEFT EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #757251
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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