IllustrationWHEN THE CONSUMER TRIED TO CLOSE THE DOOR, THE SENSOR FAILED AND THE SLIDING DOOR CLOSED ON THE CONSUMER HAND. *JB
1996 Mercury Villager
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1996 Mercury Villager do not stand out strongly from 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: 16 of 188 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 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports7 fire reports5 injury reports
Structure complaints
25 reportsSLIDING DOOR WILL NOT STAY LATCHED WHILE DRIVING, DOOR WOULD COME OPEN INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNINGTHIS MATTER.*AK
THE POWER DOOR LOCK SYSTEM ENGAGES ON ITS OWN AT UNPREDICTABLE TIMES AND OCCASIONS WHEN THE ENGAGE BUTTON HAS NOT BEEN TOUCHED. FOR EXAMPLE, THE LOCKS HAVE FREQUENTLY ENGAGED RIGHT AFTER THE DOORS HAVE BEEN CLOSED AND EVEN IF THE ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING AND THE IGNITION IS NOT ON; AT THE SAME MOMENT THE FRONT DOOR ACCESS LATCHES …
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THE POWER DOOR LOCK SYSTEM ENGAGES ON ITS OWN AT UNPREDICTABLE TIMES AND OCCASIONS WHEN THE ENGAGE BUTTON HAS NOT BEEN TOUCHED. FOR EXAMPLE, THE LOCKS HAVE FREQUENTLY ENGAGED RIGHT AFTER THE DOORS HAVE BEEN CLOSED AND EVEN IF THE ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING AND THE IGNITION IS NOT ON; AT THE SAME MOMENT THE FRONT DOOR ACCESS LATCHES ARE PULLED; AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND NO ONE IS IN IT AND IT IS NOT RUNNING. OUR PROBLEM IS IDENTICAL TO THE PROBLEM REPORTED BY CBS EVENING NEWS ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2001 (NETWORK TELEVISION NEWS). ACCORDING TO THE NEWS REPORT, THIS PROBLEM OCCURS NOT ONLY WITH THE MERCURY VILLAGER, BUT ALSO THE NISSAN QUEST.*AK
THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN TO 3 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS SINCE WE HAVE HAD IT (3 YEARS). DOOR'S WILL LOCK AT ANY TIME RUNNING,OFF,OR NO KEYLESS (KEY FOB) OPPERATION. AFTER ABOUT $500 IN REPAIR CHARGES I WENT TO A DIFFERENT DEALER ONLY TO FIND THAT A TSB HAD BEEN ISSUED AND HAVE IT FIXED NOW WITH REPLACING THE MASTER SWITCH ON THE DRI…
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THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN TO 3 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS SINCE WE HAVE HAD IT (3 YEARS). DOOR'S WILL LOCK AT ANY TIME RUNNING,OFF,OR NO KEYLESS (KEY FOB) OPPERATION. AFTER ABOUT $500 IN REPAIR CHARGES I WENT TO A DIFFERENT DEALER ONLY TO FIND THAT A TSB HAD BEEN ISSUED AND HAVE IT FIXED NOW WITH REPLACING THE MASTER SWITCH ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. FROM TALKING TO THE SEVICE MANAGER THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON MANY VANS LIKE THIS, THIS IS A SMALL TOWN DEALER. TO BAD THE OTHER DEALERSHIPS THAT WE TRIED DIDN'T KEEP UP WITH THE TSB'S IT TOOK LONGER FOR RESOLUTION AND THE WARRANTY IS LONG GONE. THIS PROBLEM HAS MADE THE LOCAL NEWS BUT THEY SAY THAT THEIR HAS NOT BEEN ANY REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM SO I THOUGHT THAT I WOULD FILL OUT THIS FORM.
DOORS LOCK ON THEIR WHEN DRIVING, STANDING STILL, WHEN I SHUT THE DOORS. NO WARNING. KEYS MUST BE IN SOMEONES HANDS AT ALL TIMES TO KEEP FROM BEING LOCKED OUT. ALSO WHEN UNLOCKING THE DOOR IT TAKES AT LEAST 3-4 TIMES OF CONTINUIOUS OPERATION TO GET IT TO STAY UNLOCKED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED SEVERAL TIMES. AUG 2001 A FIX SHEE…
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DOORS LOCK ON THEIR WHEN DRIVING, STANDING STILL, WHEN I SHUT THE DOORS. NO WARNING. KEYS MUST BE IN SOMEONES HANDS AT ALL TIMES TO KEEP FROM BEING LOCKED OUT. ALSO WHEN UNLOCKING THE DOOR IT TAKES AT LEAST 3-4 TIMES OF CONTINUIOUS OPERATION TO GET IT TO STAY UNLOCKED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED SEVERAL TIMES. AUG 2001 A FIX SHEET HAD ARRIVED AT THE DEALER - MOISTURE IN WINDOW SWITCH. REPAIR COST - PART $300 PLUS LABOR.*AK
DOOR LOCKS WILL LOCK AUTOMATICALLY. THIS CAN HAPPEN WHEN ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOW/ OPENING DOORS OR CLOSING DOORS. CONSUMER DOES NOT KNOW WHEN IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER.*AK *JB
WHEN EXITING VEHICLE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WITHOUT OWNER MANUALLY LOCKING THE DOORS. ALSO, WHEN VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVING DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCK. THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED OCCUPANTS TO BE EITHER LOCKED INSIDE VEHICLE OR LOCKED OUTSIDE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETA…
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WHEN EXITING VEHICLE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WITHOUT OWNER MANUALLY LOCKING THE DOORS. ALSO, WHEN VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVING DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCK. THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED OCCUPANTS TO BE EITHER LOCKED INSIDE VEHICLE OR LOCKED OUTSIDE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
WHEN EXITING VEHICLE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WITHOUT OWNER MANUALLY LOCKING THE DOORS. ALSO, WHILE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCK. THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED OCCUPANTS TO BE EITHER LOCKED INSIDE VEHICLE OR LOCKED OUTSIDE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS…
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WHEN EXITING VEHICLE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WITHOUT OWNER MANUALLY LOCKING THE DOORS. ALSO, WHILE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCK. THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED OCCUPANTS TO BE EITHER LOCKED INSIDE VEHICLE OR LOCKED OUTSIDE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
THE LOCKS ON MY VILLAGER OPERATE ERRATICALLY. THEY WILL LOCK AUTOMATICALLY, WHEN THEY ARE UNLOCKED THEY MAY IMMEDIATLY RELOCK THEMSELVES AND SOMETIMES THE CAUSE THE DOOR TO JAM. I SAW THIS INFORMATION REPORTED ON CBS 11 TV IN DALLAS JUST THIS WEEK AND MY VAN DOES EXACTLY AS THE VANS THEY WERE SHOWING ON THE REPORT. THIS PROBLEM…
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THE LOCKS ON MY VILLAGER OPERATE ERRATICALLY. THEY WILL LOCK AUTOMATICALLY, WHEN THEY ARE UNLOCKED THEY MAY IMMEDIATLY RELOCK THEMSELVES AND SOMETIMES THE CAUSE THE DOOR TO JAM. I SAW THIS INFORMATION REPORTED ON CBS 11 TV IN DALLAS JUST THIS WEEK AND MY VAN DOES EXACTLY AS THE VANS THEY WERE SHOWING ON THE REPORT. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT A YEAR, AND IS WORSE DURING WARM WEATHER.*AK
PASSENGER AND SLIDING DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO ENGAGE OR DISENGAGE WITH OR WITHOUT KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM OR INTERNAL LOCKING SYSTEM USED. I HAVE HAD THE SLIDING DOOR LOCKS ACTUATOR CHANGED AT MY EXPENSE. THE PASSENGER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ALSO. ACTUATORS EMIT A GRINDING SOUND WHEN KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM OR INTERNAL…
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PASSENGER AND SLIDING DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO ENGAGE OR DISENGAGE WITH OR WITHOUT KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM OR INTERNAL LOCKING SYSTEM USED. I HAVE HAD THE SLIDING DOOR LOCKS ACTUATOR CHANGED AT MY EXPENSE. THE PASSENGER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ALSO. ACTUATORS EMIT A GRINDING SOUND WHEN KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM OR INTERNAL LOCKING SYSTEM IS ENGAGED AND TAKES SEVERAL (5) TIMES TO ENGAGE OR DISENGAGE.
Official recalls
200V419002 · 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.
98V012001 · Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls
Mar 23, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH POWER WINDOWS THAT CAN BE CLOSED AFTER THE IGNITION KEY IS TURNED TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND THE RIGHT FRONT (PASSENGER) DOOR IS OPENED. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 118, "POWER-OPERATED WINDOW SYSTEMS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR UNSUPERVISED CHILDREN TO OPERATE THE POWER WINDOWS, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE CHILD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A LABEL REMINDING OWNERS NOT TO LEAVE CHILDREN UNATTENDED BECAUSE THE POWER WINDOWS CAN OPERATE FOR 15 MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE IGNITION HAS BEEN TURNED OFF UNLESS THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS OPENED. ALSO INCLUDED ARE INSTRUCTIONS DESCRIBING HOW AND WHERE THIS LABEL IS TO BE INSTALLED. IF AN OWNER PREFERS, THEIR DEALER CAN INSTALL THIS LABEL FOR THEM.
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
4EA00014 · 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
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.
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.