← New search

1997 Mercury Villager

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Mercury Villager do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 125.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 19 of 125 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.

  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

Structure complaints

21 reports
Clear category filter
190,000 miles · Jan 8, 2015
Structure

I WAS DRIVING ALONG AFTER SHOPPING AND I STARTED TO HEAR THIS DRAGGING OR BOTTOMING OUT SOUND SO I PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND TO MY SURPRISE THE FRONT FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT HOLDS UP THE ENGINE WAS BROKEN I THEN OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW THAT THE ENGINE WAS SITTING SIDEWAYS TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE. I LI…

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING ALONG AFTER SHOPPING AND I STARTED TO HEAR THIS DRAGGING OR BOTTOMING OUT SOUND SO I PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND TO MY SURPRISE THE FRONT FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT HOLDS UP THE ENGINE WAS BROKEN I THEN OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW THAT THE ENGINE WAS SITTING SIDEWAYS TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE. I LIMPED THE VAN HOME AND HAD MY MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND HE SAID THAT IT WAS ON FIXABLE AND THEN I CALLED FIVE BODY SHOPS TO SEE IF THEY COULD FIX IT AND THEY SAID NO AND THAT MERCURY VILLAGERS WAS KNOWN TO DO THIS AND THAT THEY WERE RECALLED FOR THIS BEFORE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10671108

20,000 miles · Feb 25, 2004
Latches/locks/linkagesSeat BeltsStructure

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK PROBLEM. THE DOORS LOCKED WITHOUT NOTICE. CURRENTLY, HATCHBACK WILL NOT OPEN. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10059825

Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 2002
Structure

SLIDING DOOR POPS OPEN. DT

NHTSA ODI #769918

Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2002
Structure

DOOR LOCKS CONTINUALLY LOCK AND UNLOCK THEMSELVES WHETER DRIVING OR PARKED

NHTSA ODI #566344

Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2002
Structure

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DOOR LOCKS BY ITSELF AFTER THE DOOR IS SHUT. *YD

NHTSA ODI #785960

Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2001
Structure

ALL OF THE DOORS LOCK BY THEMSELVES. IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES. WE CAN BE OUT OF THE CAR OR IN IT. THE KEYS CAN BE OUT OF THE IGNITION. IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN WE ARE PARKED BUT IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED WHEN WE WERE DRIVING. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUR TIMES WHENWE HAVE TRIED TO UNLOCK THE CAR WITH THE REMOTE AND IT "QUICKLY" LOCKS IT…

Read full complaint

ALL OF THE DOORS LOCK BY THEMSELVES. IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES. WE CAN BE OUT OF THE CAR OR IN IT. THE KEYS CAN BE OUT OF THE IGNITION. IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN WE ARE PARKED BUT IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED WHEN WE WERE DRIVING. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUR TIMES WHENWE HAVE TRIED TO UNLOCK THE CAR WITH THE REMOTE AND IT "QUICKLY" LOCKS ITSELF BACK UP; THIS MAY REPEAT ITSELF FOR OR FIVE TIMES BEFORE WE CAN GET INTO THE CAR.*AK

NHTSA ODI #752525

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2001
Structure

POWER LOCKS LOCK ON THEIR OWN, W/OR W/O KEY IN IGNITION, SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAD TO JIMMY TO GET MY 2 YEAR OLD OUT. SHE WAS RESTRAINED BY CAR SET. REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO GET REPAIRED BY DEALER. ONLY FIXED AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED AND US CHARGED $265.07. CLAIMED IT TO BE "DIFFERENT PROBLEM" THOUGH RECORDS SHOW SAME COMPAINT. WANT REFUND…

Read full complaint

POWER LOCKS LOCK ON THEIR OWN, W/OR W/O KEY IN IGNITION, SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAD TO JIMMY TO GET MY 2 YEAR OLD OUT. SHE WAS RESTRAINED BY CAR SET. REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO GET REPAIRED BY DEALER. ONLY FIXED AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED AND US CHARGED $265.07. CLAIMED IT TO BE "DIFFERENT PROBLEM" THOUGH RECORDS SHOW SAME COMPAINT. WANT REFUND. RE: HTTP://CBSNEWS.COM/NOW/STORY/0,1597,310231-412,00.SHTML REGARDING SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #751941

Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkagesStructure

WHILE TRAVELING DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK OUT OF CONTROL. ALSO WHILE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. *AK POWER LOCK SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE WHILE VEHICLE IS RUNNING OR SHUT DOWN, CONSUMER STATES LOCKS ARE INOPERABLE, DEALER REFUSES TO REPLACE SYSTEM AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPAIR IT. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAD ENGINE PROBLEMS TWO DAY…

Read full complaint

WHILE TRAVELING DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK OUT OF CONTROL. ALSO WHILE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. *AK POWER LOCK SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE WHILE VEHICLE IS RUNNING OR SHUT DOWN, CONSUMER STATES LOCKS ARE INOPERABLE, DEALER REFUSES TO REPLACE SYSTEM AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPAIR IT. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAD ENGINE PROBLEMS TWO DAYS AFTER PURCHASE. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #882675

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2001
Structure

WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED OR WHILE DRIVING POWER LOCKS OPERATE ERRATICALLY. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #881397

Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2000
Structure

THE POWER LOCKS HAVE SELF-ACTIVATED ON 20+ OCCASSIONS. IT IS NOT ON A REGULAR BASIS, BUT IS INTERMITTENT. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURING FOR THE LAST MONTH OR SIX WEEKS. THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN FLASHING FOR THE LAST TWO MONTHS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #731088

Official recalls

3

00V419002 · 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.

97V184001 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery

Oct 29, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMOTIVE BATTERIES SUPPLIED BY GNB TECHNOLOGIES. THESE BATTERIES HAVE A DEFECTIVE NEGATIVE POST THAT CAN CAUSE ACID LEAKAGE AND RELATED CORROSION DAMAGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE BATTERY WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN ENGINE FIRE OR BATTERY EXPLOSION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE BATTERIES. UNTIL A NEW BATTERY IS OBTAINED, OWNERS SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO "JUMP START" THESE BATTERIES.

96V203000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting

Oct 17, 1996

THE FOUR RUBBER FUEL LINE CONNECTOR HOSES THAT ARE SUPPLIED TO FORD WITH THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. THESE HOSES CAN DEVELOP CRACKS OR SPLITS RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY FOR THE SUSPECT DATE CODES AND REPLACE THE FOUR RUBBER FUEL CONNECTOR HOSES IF NECESSARY.

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

3

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.