← New search

1998 Mercury Villager

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 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: 18 of 83 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.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

83 reports
2,400,000 miles · Mar 14, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

FUEL LEAK UNDER THE HOOD

NHTSA ODI #11079440

202,000 miles · May 16, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY VILLAGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A STRONG FUEL ODOR IN THE CABIN. THE ODOR WAS PRIMARILY OBSERVED NEAR THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES. WHEN THE HEAT IN THE VEHICLE WAS ACTIVATED, THE ODOR INTENSIFIED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CERTIFIED MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT T…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY VILLAGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A STRONG FUEL ODOR IN THE CABIN. THE ODOR WAS PRIMARILY OBSERVED NEAR THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES. WHEN THE HEAT IN THE VEHICLE WAS ACTIVATED, THE ODOR INTENSIFIED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CERTIFIED MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V419002 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 202,000.

NHTSA ODI #10865161

116,000 miles · Jul 21, 2014
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY VILLAGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND FAILED TO TURN OFF ALTHOUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE AND CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHINGS LOCATED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AGAINST THE STOP LIGHT SWIT…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY VILLAGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND FAILED TO TURN OFF ALTHOUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE AND CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHINGS LOCATED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AGAINST THE STOP LIGHT SWITCH WERE CRACKED INTO PIECES CAUSING THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE PLASTIC BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED BY THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000...UPDATED 09/30/14 *BF UPDATED 2/27/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10615095

Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2011
EquipmentSuspension

I PARKED MY VAN, 1998 MERCURY VILLAGER ON THE STREET IN FRONT OF MY HOME. TWO DAYS LATER, I NOTICED THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE WAS FLAT. I HAD FOUR NEW TIRES SINCE JAN 2011. WHEN I LIFTED UP THE FRONT RIGHT AND TRIED TO REMOVE THE FR TIRE, IT WOULD NOT COME OFF. AFTER A WHILE, I NOTICED THE STRUT COIL SPRING GOT BROKE, AND THE SHA…

Read full complaint

I PARKED MY VAN, 1998 MERCURY VILLAGER ON THE STREET IN FRONT OF MY HOME. TWO DAYS LATER, I NOTICED THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE WAS FLAT. I HAD FOUR NEW TIRES SINCE JAN 2011. WHEN I LIFTED UP THE FRONT RIGHT AND TRIED TO REMOVE THE FR TIRE, IT WOULD NOT COME OFF. AFTER A WHILE, I NOTICED THE STRUT COIL SPRING GOT BROKE, AND THE SHAPE END OF BROKEN COIL SPRING PIERCED THRU. THE INSIDE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VAN,AND BOUGHT NEW. IT HAS `150,000 MILES ON IT. THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN TURNED OUT BE A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT 70MPG. I DO A LOT OF HIGHWAY DRIVING. BOTH FRONT RIGHT AND LEFT COMPLETE STRUT ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED AND THE FLAT TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH NEW ONE. I TOOK SOME PICTURES AND HAVE THE SHARP END OF BROKEN COIL SPRING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10389919

115,000 miles · Dec 12, 2010
Power TrainCrash

1998 VILLAGER-4 RAPID ACCELERATION SITUATIONS-STARTING TO BRAKE THE ENGINE STARTS REVVING UP TO THE POINT YOU CANNOT HOLD THE CAR WITH THE BRAKE, ONLY BY SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL. SEPT.2005,10/2006, 8/2010 & 12/09/10. CAUSED ACCIDENT ON 12/09 AND TOTALED VEHICLE. FORTUNATE NO INJURIES BUT A VERY SHOOK UP DRIVER TRYING TO GET IT S…

Read full complaint

1998 VILLAGER-4 RAPID ACCELERATION SITUATIONS-STARTING TO BRAKE THE ENGINE STARTS REVVING UP TO THE POINT YOU CANNOT HOLD THE CAR WITH THE BRAKE, ONLY BY SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL. SEPT.2005,10/2006, 8/2010 & 12/09/10. CAUSED ACCIDENT ON 12/09 AND TOTALED VEHICLE. FORTUNATE NO INJURIES BUT A VERY SHOOK UP DRIVER TRYING TO GET IT STOPPED. IT DRAGGED HER ACROSS THE INTERSECTION UP ONTO A SIDEWALK AND TOOK HER SEVERAL FEET DOWN THE SIDEWALK BARELY MISSING HOUSES & TREES. ALL THE TIME SHE WAS PUSHING ON THE BRAKE & THE ENGINE WAS RACING & THE TIRES WERE DIGGING UP THE DIRT DRAGGING THE VEHICLE. RAN OVER A TWO FOOT STUMP & THE VAN FINALLY CAME TO A STOP. THE DRIVER WAS VERY SHOOK AND THIS ALL HAPPENED THROUGH NO FAULT OF HERS. THIS PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO NHTSA WHEN THE 9/2005 INCIDENT HAPPENED. THERE HAVE BEEN AT LEAST 4 OR 5 OTHER REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 98 VILLAGER. THE POWER TRAINS IN THE VILLAGER ARE BUILT BY NISSAN. VERY FORTUNATE THE DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED OR THAT NO ONE WAS ON THE SIDEWALK AT THE TIME. SOMETHING DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE CHECKED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED OR KILLED. I HAVE SEVERAL PICTURES OF THIS LAST INCIDENT IF SOMEONE WOULD BE INTERESTED IN SEEING WHAT HAPPENED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10370299

180,000 miles · Jul 13, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY HUSBAND USES OUR MERCURY VILLAGER VAN FOR HIS WORK. HE WAS GOING TO A JOB AND WAS TRAVELING WHEN HE STATED THE VAN LOST POWER, THE ENGINE ACTUALLY TURNED ITSELF OFF. HE WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD BEFORE HE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. HE PROCEEDED TO TRY RESTARTING THE VAN. IT DID NOT WORK, SO WE HAD THE VAN TOWED TO OUR HO…

Read full complaint

MY HUSBAND USES OUR MERCURY VILLAGER VAN FOR HIS WORK. HE WAS GOING TO A JOB AND WAS TRAVELING WHEN HE STATED THE VAN LOST POWER, THE ENGINE ACTUALLY TURNED ITSELF OFF. HE WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD BEFORE HE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. HE PROCEEDED TO TRY RESTARTING THE VAN. IT DID NOT WORK, SO WE HAD THE VAN TOWED TO OUR HOME. HE CHECK TO SEE IF THE MOTOR WAS TIED UP BUT IT WAS FINE.HE CHANGED BATTERIES, BECAUSE DURING THE EVENT, THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED. AFTER ABOUT 3 HOURS, THE VAN MIRACULOUSLY STARTED. WE HAVE SPOKEN TO A COUPLE THAT HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEM. THEY STATED THAT IF THE OIL GETS CLOSE TO 1 QUART BELOW LEVEL, THE SENSORS AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THIS IS DANGEROUS. MY HUSBAND COULD OF BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WHEN THE ENGINE TURNED ITSELF OFF. THERE WERE NO ENGINE LIGHTS SIGNIFYING LOW OIL. PLEASE CHECK AND ADVISE. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10342853

40,000 miles · Mar 2, 2010
Power Train

SOMETIMES WHEN I GO FROM A STOP POSITION OR SLOW DOWN AND YOU WANT TO ACCELERATE, YOU PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN AND GET NOTHING, WHEN TAP HARDER ON IT, IT WILL LURCH FORWARD, AND WHIP BACK YOUR PASSENGERS (CHILDREN). IT SEEMS TO OCCUR WHEN HUMIDITY IS HIGHER, REGARDLESS OF SEASON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10315469

189,732 miles · Jan 13, 2010
Fuel System, GasolineStructure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY VILLAGER WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN 2007. SHE STATED THAT THE FUEL FILLER HOSE HAD SEVERAL CRACKS IN IT. THE CRACKS IN THE HOSE CAUSED MAJOR GASOLINE FUMES TO ENTER THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER, 00V419002, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE S…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY VILLAGER WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN 2007. SHE STATED THAT THE FUEL FILLER HOSE HAD SEVERAL CRACKS IN IT. THE CRACKS IN THE HOSE CAUSED MAJOR GASOLINE FUMES TO ENTER THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER, 00V419002, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE STORAGE TANK ASSEMBLY HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER HOME WHERE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SUB-FRAME ON THE VEHICLE WAS CRACKED. NO REPAIRS HAD BEEN MADE TO DATE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 189,732.

NHTSA ODI #10299634

80,000 miles · Feb 9, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY VILLAGER. THE CONTACT SMELLS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL, WHICH CAN BE NOTICED BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V419002 AND NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA00015 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO T…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY VILLAGER. THE CONTACT SMELLS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL, WHICH CAN BE NOTICED BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V419002 AND NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA00015 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND PROVIDED THEM WITH THE INFORMATION HE FOUND ONLINE. THE CONTACT LEFT THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER FOR THE DAY. HE RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE THE FOLLOWING DAY AND NOTICED THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT PERFORMED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE 19 YEAR RECALL RANGE. THE MANUFACTURER AGREED WITH THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED, BUT THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT HIS VIN SHOULD BE INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #10258092

144,946 miles · Sep 29, 2007
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

1998 MERCURY VILLAGER PURCHASED USED IN 2003. IDLE THROTTLE BODY FAILED IN 2006, MERCURY DEALER TOOK TWO WEEKS TO FIND THE PART AND REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. IDLE THROTTLE BODY FAILED AGAIN IN EARLY 2007. DEALER TOOK TWO WEEKS AGAIN TO FIND PART AND DID NOT CHARGE ME BUT I HAD TO RENT A CAR AT MY EXPENSE. TODAY 9/30/07 THE SAME S…

Read full complaint

1998 MERCURY VILLAGER PURCHASED USED IN 2003. IDLE THROTTLE BODY FAILED IN 2006, MERCURY DEALER TOOK TWO WEEKS TO FIND THE PART AND REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. IDLE THROTTLE BODY FAILED AGAIN IN EARLY 2007. DEALER TOOK TWO WEEKS AGAIN TO FIND PART AND DID NOT CHARGE ME BUT I HAD TO RENT A CAR AT MY EXPENSE. TODAY 9/30/07 THE SAME SYMPTOM OF THE CAR ACCELERATING TO 1500 RPM INTERMITTENTLY WHILE SITTING STOPPED AT A LIGHT HAS BEGUN AGAIN INSTEAD OF CONSTANT 800 RPM WHEN THIS PART IS WORKING CORRECTLY. I WILL HAVE TO WAIT ON THE DEALER TO FIND A PART AND REPAIR IT AGAIN AT MY INCONVENIENCE AND EXPENSE. HAVE OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE ENGINE EXPERIENCED THE SAME REPEATED SAFETY AND WASTE OF FUEL ISSUE? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10204465

Official recalls

2

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.

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

1

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.