IllustrationPLEASE REFER TO VOQ ODI NUMBER 741337 FROM FEB/01 THIS WAS WHEN THE FRONT EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUD BOLTS BROKE. I MADE A MISTAKE PLEASE RELEASE THIS INFORMATION TO FLM. THANK YOU THIS NEW INCIDENT REPORT IS FOR THE REAR MANIFOLD. *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 reportsPLEASE REFER TO MY E-MAIL THIS DATE TO THE "WEBMASTER". NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED. *AK
CONSUMER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL 00V419002, AND HAS BEEN INFORMED REPEATEDLY THAT PART WAS UNAVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE DEFECT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK
OUR AIR COND. HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ONE MO AFTER THE WARRANTY EXP. SAYS THERE WAS A LEAK. COST APPRX $500.00 TO REPLACE. WHO EVER HEARD OF TRANSMISSION TOTALLY SHOT AT 32,000 MILES?
THE ACCELERATOR LINKAGE PERIODICALLY STICKS WHEN YOU ACCELERATE. WE WERE TOLD THAT THIS MUST BE A PROBLEM SINCE THE PARTS WERE BACKORDERED AND WE HAD TO WAIT A MONTH TO GET IT FIXED THE FIRST TIME. IT IS STICKING AGAIN AND WE ARE TAKING IT BACK TO THOUROUGHBRED FORD IN KANSAS CITY, MO WHERE WE HAD IT REPAIRED THE FIRST TIME. IT …
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THE ACCELERATOR LINKAGE PERIODICALLY STICKS WHEN YOU ACCELERATE. WE WERE TOLD THAT THIS MUST BE A PROBLEM SINCE THE PARTS WERE BACKORDERED AND WE HAD TO WAIT A MONTH TO GET IT FIXED THE FIRST TIME. IT IS STICKING AGAIN AND WE ARE TAKING IT BACK TO THOUROUGHBRED FORD IN KANSAS CITY, MO WHERE WE HAD IT REPAIRED THE FIRST TIME. IT COST OVER $200 FOR THE REPAIR. IT IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE WHEN YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP TO CROSS TRAFFIC IT STICKS AND DELAYS YOUR TIME CROSSING THE INTERSECTION.*AK
LENS COVERING HEADLIGHTS HAS BECOME VERY DIM OR CLOUDY, THIS CAUSES POOR VISIBILITY FOR DRIVER WHEN LIGHTS ARE IN USE. HAD BULBS EXCHANGED, BUT TO NO AVAIL.*AK *JB
THERE HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH LOCK IMMEDIATELY RELOCKING AFTER UNLOCKING IS ATTEMPTED. THIS HAS BEEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP ON 8 SEPARATE SERVICE ATTEMPTS, INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL PROBLEM THAT WAS DEVELOPED WITH GRINDING LOCKS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, AND THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER DO NOT FEEL THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAF…
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THERE HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH LOCK IMMEDIATELY RELOCKING AFTER UNLOCKING IS ATTEMPTED. THIS HAS BEEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP ON 8 SEPARATE SERVICE ATTEMPTS, INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL PROBLEM THAT WAS DEVELOPED WITH GRINDING LOCKS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, AND THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER DO NOT FEEL THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY/ SECURITY ISSUE.*AK
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO EXIT OUT OF DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILS TO OPEN FROM INSIDE, PREVENTING OCCUPANTS FROM EXITING VEHICLE. ALSO, SLIDING DOOR FAILS TO OPEN FROM INSIDE, PREVENTING OCCUPANTS FROM EXITING VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER.*AK CONSUMER STATES PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AT TIMES DOES NOT OPEN, …
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WHEN ATTEMPTING TO EXIT OUT OF DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILS TO OPEN FROM INSIDE, PREVENTING OCCUPANTS FROM EXITING VEHICLE. ALSO, SLIDING DOOR FAILS TO OPEN FROM INSIDE, PREVENTING OCCUPANTS FROM EXITING VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER.*AK CONSUMER STATES PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AT TIMES DOES NOT OPEN, PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HAS TO BE DOUBLE CLICKED TO OPEN AND CLOSE. *JB
THE SAFTEY ISSUE WITH MY MERCURY VILLAGER STARTED ON 2/18/99. THE DOOR LOCKS WILL LOCK BY THEMSELVES ON MANY OCCASIONS. THE DOORS WILL LOCK WHEN THE KEYS ARE IN THE IGNITION AND A DOOR IS SHUT, WHEN THE KEYS ARE OUT OF THE IGNITION, WHEN DRIVING OVER ANY BUMPS IN THE ROAD. AS OF TODAY, MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE FOR…
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THE SAFTEY ISSUE WITH MY MERCURY VILLAGER STARTED ON 2/18/99. THE DOOR LOCKS WILL LOCK BY THEMSELVES ON MANY OCCASIONS. THE DOORS WILL LOCK WHEN THE KEYS ARE IN THE IGNITION AND A DOOR IS SHUT, WHEN THE KEYS ARE OUT OF THE IGNITION, WHEN DRIVING OVER ANY BUMPS IN THE ROAD. AS OF TODAY, MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE FOR THE DOOR LOCKS 5 TIMES. A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO MY 3 YEAR OLD WAS LOCKED IN THE CAR IN HIS CARSEAT WITH THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION. I LIVE IN KEY WEST FLORIDA AND IT IS BEGINNING TO GET VERY HOT HERE. I AM SERIOUSLY CONCERED WITH THE PROBLEM AND IT HAS BECOME A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. I AM TIRED TO TAKING THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICING AND A MONTH OR TWO LATER IT IS BACK IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE PHONED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEY HAD THE SERVICE MANGER FROM OUR ONE LOCAL DEALERSHIP CALL ME. (HIS PHONE CALL TOOK 2 WEEKS TO GET) WE EVENTUALLY SET UP ANOTHER APPOINTMENT FOR THE VAN. (AFTER I HAD TO WAIT ANOTHER WEEK WHILE HE WAS ON VACATION WHEN I ORIGINALLY CALLED HIM BACK.) I HAVE ESP COVERAGE ON MY VAN WHICH IS PAYING FOR PART OF THE RENTAL FEE FOR THE VAN I RENTED WHILE MINE IS IN THE 5TH TIME TRYING TO BE REPAIRED. I AM NOT SURE WHERE TO TURN AT THIS POINT WITH THESE SAFETY ISSUES!!! I AM BECOMING VERY DISGUSTED WITH THE ENTIRE PROCESS. I AM UTIMATELY AFRAID OF MY TODDLER BEING LOCKED IN A CAR IN KEY WEST WHEN IT IS 90 DEGREES. PLEASE RESPOND. FOLLOWING ARE THE DATES THE VEHICAL WAS IN FOR SERVICING FOR THE LOCKS: 2/18/99: 8/25/00: 10/02/00: 1/30/01: 2/28/01 : AND : 5/8/01. *AK
INTERMITTENTLY ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD STICK. DEALER HAS REPLACED THROTTLE BODY.*AK
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.