IllustrationATTEMPTING TO FIND THE CORRECT CONTROL, (DEFROST) AT NIGHT HAS CAUSED ME TO LEAVE THE ROADWAY.
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 reportsEXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BROKEN OFF IN ENGINE CAUSING A SERIOUS EXHAUST LEAK. WAS QUOTED $1,100 MIN. TO FIX IT AT MANTECA FORD. LATER FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A HIDDEN MANUFACTUERS WARRANTY ON THIS DEFECTIVE PART AND NEITHER MANTECA FORD OR FORD MOTOR WILL ACKNOWLEDGE THIS OR HELP WITH THE LIABLITY OF THE REPAIRS THAT WERE DONE. …
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EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BROKEN OFF IN ENGINE CAUSING A SERIOUS EXHAUST LEAK. WAS QUOTED $1,100 MIN. TO FIX IT AT MANTECA FORD. LATER FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A HIDDEN MANUFACTUERS WARRANTY ON THIS DEFECTIVE PART AND NEITHER MANTECA FORD OR FORD MOTOR WILL ACKNOWLEDGE THIS OR HELP WITH THE LIABLITY OF THE REPAIRS THAT WERE DONE. I HAVE CONTACTED OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY WERE TAKEN CARE OF OR IGNORED LIKE I WAS. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE BOLTS AND ALL ENGINES SHOULD BE REPAIRED. THESE ARE FAMILY VEHICLES THAT ALOT OF US WORK HARD AND RELY ON THESE VANS TO GET OUR CHILDREN AROUND AND OURSELVES TO WORK. WHAT HAPPENED TO TRUTH AND HONESTY?*AK
AFTER THE RECALL WAS DONE ON A FUEL HOSE THE VEHICLE HAS ON AN OFF SMELLE OF VERY STRONG GAS FUMES INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND OUTSIDE THE VAN AS WELL, TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE FUMING PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE COMING FROM A GAP IN THE BODY SEAM AREA OF THE VEHICLE IN WHICH THEY SEALED, POSSIBLE OF MANUFACT…
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AFTER THE RECALL WAS DONE ON A FUEL HOSE THE VEHICLE HAS ON AN OFF SMELLE OF VERY STRONG GAS FUMES INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND OUTSIDE THE VAN AS WELL, TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE FUMING PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE COMING FROM A GAP IN THE BODY SEAM AREA OF THE VEHICLE IN WHICH THEY SEALED, POSSIBLE OF MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *YD
DOORS LOCK BY THEMSELVES WHETHER CONSUMER IS IN VEHICLE OR NOT. IT SEEMS TO BE WORSE IN HOT WEATHER. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER HAD TRIED TWICE, BUT HAS NOT FIXED PROBLEM.*AK
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…
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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
OUR DOORS LOCK BY THEMSELVES INTERMITTENTLY. MOSTLY HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AND DOORS ARE UNLOCKED, AS THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR IS OPENED THE DOORS (ALL) LOCK AGAIN. IT HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES WHEN THE DOORS ARE SHUT, THE VEHICLE WILL LOCK BY ITSELF. IT ONCE DID IT WITH A CHILD INSIDE AND WE HAD TO GET THE OTHER SET …
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OUR DOORS LOCK BY THEMSELVES INTERMITTENTLY. MOSTLY HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AND DOORS ARE UNLOCKED, AS THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR IS OPENED THE DOORS (ALL) LOCK AGAIN. IT HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES WHEN THE DOORS ARE SHUT, THE VEHICLE WILL LOCK BY ITSELF. IT ONCE DID IT WITH A CHILD INSIDE AND WE HAD TO GET THE OTHER SET OF KEYS TO UNLOCK IT. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MORE OF A PROBLEM IF THE OTHER KEYS WERE NOT IN CLOSE POROXIMITY.*AK
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…
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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.
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH ON HIGHWAY, AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, VEHICLE SHUT OFF. LOST POWER BRAKES AND STEERING. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. SHE PAID TO HAVE VEHICLE PUT ON A MACHINE, BUT PROBLEM COULDN'T DOUBLE ITSELF.*AK
ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED. REQUIRES EXCESSIVE FORCE TO DEPRESS PEDAL, RESULTING IN VEHICLE SUDDENLY LURCHING FORWARD. DEALER SAYS THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM WITH VILLAGERS. I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.*AK
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL (00S59) VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO DEALESHIP, WHEN CONSUMER ARRIVED TO PICK UP VEHICLE, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO FIX VEHICLE.*JB
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.