IllustrationTHERE IS A CONSTANT FUEL SMELL WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE. DEALER COULD NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK
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
What owners actually said
125 reportsWHILE TRYING TO EXIT VEHICLE DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK. CONSUMER STATES DOORS WILL BECOME INOPERABLE.*AK
DESIGN OF EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS DEFECTIVE. *AK
CONSUMER WAS ON A SHORT ROAD TRIP WHEN VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING AND CUT OFF. VEHICLE RESTARTED, AND WAS TAKEN TO NEAREST MECHANIC. FUEL PUMP FILTER WAS DIRTY, AND ONCE IT WAS CLEANED VEHICLE OPERATED NORMAL. 3 HOURS LATER, VEHICLE DIED DUE TO FUEL PUMP FAILING. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED AND REPAIRED VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE…
Read full complaint
CONSUMER WAS ON A SHORT ROAD TRIP WHEN VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING AND CUT OFF. VEHICLE RESTARTED, AND WAS TAKEN TO NEAREST MECHANIC. FUEL PUMP FILTER WAS DIRTY, AND ONCE IT WAS CLEANED VEHICLE OPERATED NORMAL. 3 HOURS LATER, VEHICLE DIED DUE TO FUEL PUMP FAILING. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED AND REPAIRED VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DOOR LOCKS BY ITSELF AFTER THE DOOR IS SHUT. *YD
NHTSA RECALL 00-V-419-002/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 00S59 VEHICLE DIDN'T START HAVING PROBLEMS UNTIL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. FUEL LEAKS FROM FUEL PUMP, WHICH WOULD NORMALLY RECEIVE THE CONNECTION TO FLOW OF GAS. CONSUMER HAS GONE TO TWO DEALER TO CONFIRM THE PROBLEM.*AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
MIGHT BE WORTH LOOKING INTO THE FUEL PUMP SYSTEM ON THIS VEHICLE. ORIGINAL WAS REPLACED 4/2/2001 AND REPLACEMENT PUMP STARTING TO FAIL LATE IN NOVEMBER 2001. DEALER/FORD NOT WORKING WITH CUSTOMER SINCE 3000 MILES OVER WARRANTY (EVEN THOUGH WE ARE WITHIN 12 MO. PERIOD). JUST SEEMS WEIRD THAT TWO FUEL PUMPS WOULD FAIL WITHIN T…
Read full complaint
MIGHT BE WORTH LOOKING INTO THE FUEL PUMP SYSTEM ON THIS VEHICLE. ORIGINAL WAS REPLACED 4/2/2001 AND REPLACEMENT PUMP STARTING TO FAIL LATE IN NOVEMBER 2001. DEALER/FORD NOT WORKING WITH CUSTOMER SINCE 3000 MILES OVER WARRANTY (EVEN THOUGH WE ARE WITHIN 12 MO. PERIOD). JUST SEEMS WEIRD THAT TWO FUEL PUMPS WOULD FAIL WITHIN THAT SHORT A TIME FRAME.*AK
CONSUMER NOTICED GASOLINE ODORS COMING FROM VEHICLE, WHEN HE EXAMINED THE FUEL RAIL AND HOSES, HE DETERMINED THAT A LOOSE RUBBER CLAMP WAS ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK FROM VEHICLE, CONSUMER TIGHTENED CLAMP AND STOPPED FUEL LEAK. *AK. CONSUMER STATED THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER TOOK CARE OF THE…
Read full complaint
CONSUMER NOTICED GASOLINE ODORS COMING FROM VEHICLE, WHEN HE EXAMINED THE FUEL RAIL AND HOSES, HE DETERMINED THAT A LOOSE RUBBER CLAMP WAS ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK FROM VEHICLE, CONSUMER TIGHTENED CLAMP AND STOPPED FUEL LEAK. *AK. CONSUMER STATED THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER TOOK CARE OF THE PROBLM.*JG
AFTER LEAVING THE VEHICLE AFTER USE AND LOCKED OR UNLOCKED, IT WOULD BE UNLOCKED OR LOCKED WHEN RETURNED.
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.