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
What owners actually said
188 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHEN BUYING VAN I NOTICED A LOUD CLACKING NOISE IN ENGINE ON COLD STARTS. I SAID I DIDN'T WANT CAR. THEY SAID IF THEY PUT A NEW ENGINE IN CAR (23,000MI)WOULD I BUY IT. I SAID YES. THEY PUT A REBUILT ENGINE IN VAN INSTEAD AND DIDN'T TELL ME. NOW HAS 31,0000 MILES ON IT AND IS CLACKING AGAIN PLUS SHAKES CAR VIOLENTLY FIRST 6 TO 8 …
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WHEN BUYING VAN I NOTICED A LOUD CLACKING NOISE IN ENGINE ON COLD STARTS. I SAID I DIDN'T WANT CAR. THEY SAID IF THEY PUT A NEW ENGINE IN CAR (23,000MI)WOULD I BUY IT. I SAID YES. THEY PUT A REBUILT ENGINE IN VAN INSTEAD AND DIDN'T TELL ME. NOW HAS 31,0000 MILES ON IT AND IS CLACKING AGAIN PLUS SHAKES CAR VIOLENTLY FIRST 6 TO 8 SECONDS WHEN STARTING COLD. (INTERMITTENTLY) MECHANIC SAID IT HAS BAD PISTON PROBLEMS. FORD MOTOR CO. REFUSES TO CORRECT PROBLEM. SAYS IT'S OUT OF WARRENTY. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY TO REPLACE THE SECOND BAD ENGINE IN THAT CAR. THEY REPLACED A BAD ENGINE WITH A BAD ENGINE. I SUGGESTED TRADING CAR IN FOR ANOTHER ONE AND THEY RELUCTANTLY OFFERED ME $4,000 TO $5,000 MAX AS TRADE IN BECAUSE THE CAR HAD A BAD ENGINE. I WAS WILLING TO PURCHASE A NEW 1999 VILLAGER($22,000+). I'M BEING SCREWED BADLY BY A COMPANY THAT REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT HAS AN ENGINE PROGRAM PROBLEM. HELP ME PLEASE. DAVE MC MANUS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #716351
Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 1999
SteeringSuspension
LEFT FRONT TIE ROD HAD TO BE REPLACED. IT PROBABLY HAD BEEN BAD FOR SOME TIME, BUT WAS NOT DISCOVERED UNTIL VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. LEFT FRONT BALL JOINT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARANTY WHEN VEHICLE ONLY HAD MILEAGE IN THE UPPER 20,000S. THIS IS VERY LOW MILAGE FOR SUCH FRONT END COMPONENTS TO GO BAD. CONTACTED DEALER SERVI…
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LEFT FRONT TIE ROD HAD TO BE REPLACED. IT PROBABLY HAD BEEN BAD FOR SOME TIME, BUT WAS NOT DISCOVERED UNTIL VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. LEFT FRONT BALL JOINT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARANTY WHEN VEHICLE ONLY HAD MILEAGE IN THE UPPER 20,000S. THIS IS VERY LOW MILAGE FOR SUCH FRONT END COMPONENTS TO GO BAD. CONTACTED DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY SAID VILLAGERS ARE NOT KNOWN FOR WEARING OUT OF FRONT END PARTS AT LOW MIELAGE, SO THESE MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE PARTS FROM THE FACTORY. THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME THOUGH ON THE TIE ROD BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. HAD TO REPLACE AT MY OWN EXPENSE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #715755
Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure
WHILE TRAVELING 75MPH VEHICLE MADE GRAVE NOISES & THEN DIED OUT. MANEUVERED TO SIDE OF ROAD. COULD NOT CHECK ENGINE OIL DUE TO DIP STICK NOT REMOVABLE. TOWED TO MECHANIC & INFORMED CONSUMER THA T UNDER HOOD FROZE UP DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #850507
Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 1999
Suspension
AREA IN SHOCK TOWERS WHERE STRUT ROD IS SECURED TO STRUCTURE WITH A NUT APPEARS EXTREMELY CORRODED FOR A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 39000 MILES. IT IS NOT JUST SURFACE RUST, BUT FLAKING AS WELL. THERE IS MUCH MORE CORROSION IN THIS AREA THEN I HAVE SEEN ON OTHER VEHICLES I HAVE OWNED WITH OVER 100,000 MILES. I FEAR THAT IN COMING YEARS …
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AREA IN SHOCK TOWERS WHERE STRUT ROD IS SECURED TO STRUCTURE WITH A NUT APPEARS EXTREMELY CORRODED FOR A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 39000 MILES. IT IS NOT JUST SURFACE RUST, BUT FLAKING AS WELL. THERE IS MUCH MORE CORROSION IN THIS AREA THEN I HAVE SEEN ON OTHER VEHICLES I HAVE OWNED WITH OVER 100,000 MILES. I FEAR THAT IN COMING YEARS A STRUCTURAL PROBLEM MAY DEVELOP. CONTACTED SERVICE DEPARTMENT WERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I DISCRIBED THE SITUATION TO THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN. HE SAID THIS WAS "NORMAL" AND I HAD NOTHING TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT.
NHTSA ODI #715007
Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
I WAS GETTING ON THE EXPRESSWAY OVER IN THE PASSING LANE THE VAN MADE A NOISE I TURN DOWN THE RADIO TO LISTEN I LOST PRESSURE THE VAN SHUT DOWN . I HAD OIL ,WATER I JUST DONT UNDER STAND WHAT HAPPEN I WAS TOLD THAT I NEED AN ENGINE NEVER HAD A WARNING SIGN AND I ALWAYS KEEP MY OIL CHANGE AND OTHER ITEM ACORRDING MANUFACUTUR…
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I WAS GETTING ON THE EXPRESSWAY OVER IN THE PASSING LANE THE VAN MADE A NOISE I TURN DOWN THE RADIO TO LISTEN I LOST PRESSURE THE VAN SHUT DOWN . I HAD OIL ,WATER I JUST DONT UNDER STAND WHAT HAPPEN I WAS TOLD THAT I NEED AN ENGINE NEVER HAD A WARNING SIGN AND I ALWAYS KEEP MY OIL CHANGE AND OTHER ITEM ACORRDING MANUFACUTURER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #714829
Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
CRANKSHAFT BROKE WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH , CAUSING POWER LOSS. THIS CONDITION COULD HAVE CAUSED A COLLISION ON THE FREEWAY. VEHICLE INSPECTED BY INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND INFORMED CONSUMERTHAT CRANKSHAFT HAS HAD CRACKS IN SHAFT BEFORE THE BREAKAGE. ASKING NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. …
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CRANKSHAFT BROKE WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH , CAUSING POWER LOSS. THIS CONDITION COULD HAVE CAUSED A COLLISION ON THE FREEWAY. VEHICLE INSPECTED BY INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND INFORMED CONSUMERTHAT CRANKSHAFT HAS HAD CRACKS IN SHAFT BEFORE THE BREAKAGE. ASKING NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #850515
Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 1999
Structure
THE REAR SIDE DOOR UNLATCHES WHEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD. IT DOESN'T UNLATCH ALL THE WAY. THE DEALER HAS TRIED TO ADJUST THE DOOR, BUT IT STILL HAPPENS. WE DO NOT HAVE TO HIT A BUMP FOR IT TO UNLATCH. THEY ARE GOING TO PUT ON A NEW DOOR LATCH.
NHTSA ODI #712476
Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 1999
Latches/locks/linkages
INTERMITTENTLY, WHILE DRIVING SLIDING DOOR POPS OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY. THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT ABLE TO FIND OUT WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #848760
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 1999
Structure
AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS ARE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER'S CHILD WAS LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE, AND THEY COULDN'T GET THE CHILD OUT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #848552
Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 1999
Electrical SystemFire
AFTER TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH FOR THE SECOND TIME THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION UNDER THE HOOD. THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. FROM LOOKING AT THE HOOD, IT APPEARED THAT ONE OF THE HOTTEST POINTS WAS OVER THE BATTERY AREA. EVERYTHING FORWARD OF FIREWALL WAS TOTALLY BURNED. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY THE FIRE …
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AFTER TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH FOR THE SECOND TIME THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION UNDER THE HOOD. THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. FROM LOOKING AT THE HOOD, IT APPEARED THAT ONE OF THE HOTTEST POINTS WAS OVER THE BATTERY AREA. EVERYTHING FORWARD OF FIREWALL WAS TOTALLY BURNED. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *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.
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
4
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
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.
1996 Mercury Villager Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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