IllustrationDOOR LOCKS LOCK INDEPENDENTLY MAKING ENTRY AND EXIT DIFFICULT- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 9823-6, PRESENTS DANGER OF BEING LOCKED IN CAR FOR SMALL CHILDREN IN DANGEROUSLY HOT SUMMER WEATHER IN ARIZONA
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 →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: 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 reportsPOWER LOCKS ON ALL DOORS INADVERTENTLY LOCK WITHOUT MANUAL OPERATION DUE TO A MALFUNCTION WITH THE LOCK ACTUATOR. *AK ALL DOORS LOCKS WHILE DRIVING ,WHEN ENGINE IS OFF AND DOOR IS CLOSED. *YH
SLIDING DOOR POPS OPEN, CREATING AN APPROXIMATE 12" OPENING. THIS OCCURS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS,WITH DOOR UNLOCKED OR LOCKED. THE DOOR DOESN'T HAVE REMOTE ELECTRCIC OPENING,, I SUSPECT THE PROBLEM TO BE PURELY MECHANICAL,THIS HAS OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES OVER THE LAST 6 MONTHS.MRE OFTEN DURING WARM WEATHER. *AK
WE STARTED REPORTING THE PROBLEM WITH THE SLIDING DOOR ON 7/15/99. THE LOCK DID NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK CONSISTENTLY WHETHER USING THE REMOTE OR THE INSIDE AUTOMATIC BUTTON AND THE DOOR RATTLED LIKE SOMETHING WAS LOOSE INSIDE. THE SERVICE DEPT AT CAPITOL LINCOLN MERCURY(RICHMOND, VA) DECIDED TO REPLACE THE ANTENNA ON 8/16. THIS DID N…
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WE STARTED REPORTING THE PROBLEM WITH THE SLIDING DOOR ON 7/15/99. THE LOCK DID NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK CONSISTENTLY WHETHER USING THE REMOTE OR THE INSIDE AUTOMATIC BUTTON AND THE DOOR RATTLED LIKE SOMETHING WAS LOOSE INSIDE. THE SERVICE DEPT AT CAPITOL LINCOLN MERCURY(RICHMOND, VA) DECIDED TO REPLACE THE ANTENNA ON 8/16. THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. ON 10/4, I TOOK IT BACK AGAIN AND THEY REPLACED THE SLIDING DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR. THIS CORRECTED THE PROBLEM WITH THE DOOR LOCKING/UNLOCKING BUT NOW, THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK IS STUCK AND THE DOOR STILL RATTLES.****I INITIALLY REPORTED A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHEEL SHIMMEYING AND THE BRAKES GRABBING ON 8/16. THEY REPORTED THE BRAKES WERE OKAY - 5MM. I HAD THE TIRES REPLACED AND ALIGNED WHICH TOOK 3 DAYS BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T REALIZE THAT THEY ONLY HAD 3 TIRES. THE STEERING WHEEL CONTINUED TO SHIMMEY SO I TOOK IT BACK ON 10/13. THE WEIGHTS HAD FALLEN OFF SO THEY HAD TO REBALANCE THE TIRES. THEY ALSO STATED THE THE VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING WOULD BE FIXED BY TURNING THE FRONT ROTORS WHICH THEY DID. THEY STATED THAT WITH THE TURNING OF THE ROTORS THAT I SHOULD REPLACE MY BRAKES WHICH I DID...FOR $55.83. THE NEXT DAY, 10/14, I TOOK THE VAN BACK BECAUSE IT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING WAS RUBBING UNDER THE CAR. THIS PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED BY REPLACING THE ROTORS THAT THEY TURNED THE PREVIOUS DAY. CURRENTLY, THE STEERING WHEEL STILL SHIMMIES JUST NOT TO THE EXTENT AS BEFORE. I'M TAKING IT BACK AGAIN ON 10/20.*AK
DOORS LOCK AUTOMATICALLY WHEN CONSUMER IS OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THEY HAD NO CORRECTIVE ACTION FOR THIS MATTER. *AK *ML
INTERMITTENT SELF ACTIVATION OF THE POWER DOOR LOCKS. IT LOCKED OUR 22 MONTH OLD IN VEHICLE AFTER CHILD WAS STRAPPED INTO CAR SEAT AND VAN DOOR WAS CLOSED. MY WIFE, LUCKILY, HAD REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION BEFORE SHE PICKED UP BABY. IN HOT WEATHER MY WIFE WOULD HAVE LEFT THE VAN RUNNING WITH THE A/C ON AND OUR DAUGHTER …
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INTERMITTENT SELF ACTIVATION OF THE POWER DOOR LOCKS. IT LOCKED OUR 22 MONTH OLD IN VEHICLE AFTER CHILD WAS STRAPPED INTO CAR SEAT AND VAN DOOR WAS CLOSED. MY WIFE, LUCKILY, HAD REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION BEFORE SHE PICKED UP BABY. IN HOT WEATHER MY WIFE WOULD HAVE LEFT THE VAN RUNNING WITH THE A/C ON AND OUR DAUGHTER WOULD HAVE BEEN LOCKED IN AN AUTOMOBILE THAT WAS RUNNING AND THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION. THERE ARE 3 TSB'S COVERING THIS DEFECT, BUT FORD WILL NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM AT THEIR COST. I HAVE A FRIEND WITH A 1993 VILLAGER THAT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. WE HAVE HAD TO HIDE A KEY ON VEHICLE IN CASE WE ARE LOCKED OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND OUR DAUGHTER IS LOCKED IN. *AK
AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK FAILED, WHEN CLOSING THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR ALL THE DOORS LOCK. REPAIRS WERE DONE ON TWO OCCASIONS. PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *YC
I HAVE CONTACTED YOU BEFORE & TALKED TO PEGGY ABOUT THE SIDE DOOR OF THE VILLAGER OPENING. THE VECHICAL IS LEASED AND BEING RETURNED 12/14/98 I SENT YOU PICS OF THE INNER WORKINGS OF THE DOOR- TOUCHING THE STYROFORM ALSO MAKES THE DOOR OPEN & A LITTLE ROUND THING DOES TOO OTHER THAN JUST THE ROD THAT I TOLD YOU ALREADY. DEALERS…
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I HAVE CONTACTED YOU BEFORE & TALKED TO PEGGY ABOUT THE SIDE DOOR OF THE VILLAGER OPENING. THE VECHICAL IS LEASED AND BEING RETURNED 12/14/98 I SENT YOU PICS OF THE INNER WORKINGS OF THE DOOR- TOUCHING THE STYROFORM ALSO MAKES THE DOOR OPEN & A LITTLE ROUND THING DOES TOO OTHER THAN JUST THE ROD THAT I TOLD YOU ALREADY. DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO FIX PANEL SAYING I "ABUSED THE VECHICAL" IFEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFTEY ISSUE SINCE THE VECHICAL IS DESIGNED FOR FAMILIES. THANK YOU
AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK FAILED; CONTINUALLY LOCKS ALL DOORS BY ITSELF.
SLIDING DOOR PANEL FALLS OFF, THERE IS A SPOT ON THE DOOR, AND IF ONE TOUCHES IT THE DOOR POPS OPEN. ALSO TIRES ARE BALD, AND AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHES.
Official recalls
300V419002 · 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
3EA00014 · 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.